Photography
‘Elias Beeckman kazerne, Ede’, 2016, inkjet print, 70 x 46cm
Elias Beeckmankazerne, Ede-Wageningen, 2016
“In 1938 Ede was chosen as a location for a Boostkazerne. Built after the standardized design of the bigger type, the Elias Beeckmankazerne was put in to operation in 1939. Construction wasnot yet finished by that time, but the Nazis that took over the barracks during the war completed it using the same pavilion style. Most of the buildings in this camp were constructed using red tiles and yellow. This combination is unique since in the rest of the Boostkazernes are characterized by dark tiles and red-brown bricks.
(…) Since 1946 troops have been trained for the war in the Dutch East Indies. The barracks have had a major role in educating army units but since the 50s there have not been any stand-by troops in Ede anymore. Another noteworthy event that took place in the Elias Beeckmankazerne is the formation of the first labour union for soldiers in 1966. It has been a very popular and successful union in the Netherlands. In its heyday, it had over 30,000 members, amounting to 80% of Dutch soldiers, and it took part in most of the meetings with the ministry of defence. With the abolition of 200 years of obligatory military service in 1994 the union was not necessary anymore.”
“This Boostkazerne is built in 1939 and is an example of the smaller typology. It is still unclear whether the Dutch army has ever used the barracks before the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. In wartime, the barracks were used as a military driving school. Dutch men were educated for the National Sozialistisch Kraftwagen Korps. These men were sent to the eastern front and many did not return. After the liberation, the Canadians used the camp. It was partially damaged, so the Allied Forces installed the so called Romney-huts. Dutch people that had collaborated with the Nazis during the war were also imprisoned here. Shortly after, Dutch troops were installed in the Detmerskazerne. It again served as a military driving school and troops that trained here were sent to the Dutch East Indies. (…) In 2016 all the building were demolished to make room for new developments. Only the main entrance of the building was saved. The site underwent inspection after experts found unexploded mortars from the Second Word War. The municipality is the new owner of the preserved building entrance and wants to give it a communal function for the planned new neighborhood where approximately 80 houses will be built. In the meantime, a local workshop and a meeting center for veterans are using this edifice.”
Elias Beeckmankazerne, Ede-Wageningen, 2016
Detmers kazerne, Eefde, 2016
Van Hoornkazerne, Weert, 2017
Westenbergkazerne, Schalkhaar, 2016