Many people don’t know this, not even much Belgians, however there’s something unique to be found in Wilrijk, Belgium. In Park den Brandt (Wilrijk, Antwerp) a whole bunker village can be found and every first week-end of the month one of them opens up. The museum is to be found in one of SK1 Bunkers and contains many artifacts, equipment and photographs as well as documentation related to the German Atlantikwall and Vergeltungswaffe. The place is now often forgotten, hidden in a beautiful park although each day hundreds of joggers and park visitors pass it. However it once had an important role for the during World War II. Did you know that Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel visited these bunkers twice when he was charged with the command of the Atlantikwall for inspection?
This Bunker village was built during the Second World War for the Atlantikwall in Belgium and comprises eight bunkers of which three are open to the public. In total, two of the three bunkers are developed into a full-fledged war museum with the Atlantikwall and Air war as specialization. To be found are: 2x Bunker SK1 (In one is the museum. SK1 stands for Sonderkonstruktion 1 and is a seldom type.), 5x Troop-bunkers of Type VF52A (of which one is open to the public) and 1x Hospital-bunker of Type VF57A which is open to the public.
The museum is unique in and around Antwerp thanks to its engine room that is almost entirely complete and in which machines are made functional again. Also parts of the V1 and V2 Weapons are displayed, so you get a unique look at how these bombs worked.
The bunkers were built in 1943 to act as the main command for the Atlantikwall in Belgium. The command ran from the French border to Walcheren. The troops who were stationed in the bunkers and surrounding were from the LXXXIX. Army Corps led by General Werner Albrecht Freiherr von und zu Gilsa. After the landings in Normandy, on 29 August 1944, a few days before the liberation of Antwerp, the bunkers were abandoned by General von und zu Gilsa and his staff. After the war, in particular on July 1, 1947, all the furniture and equipment both inside and outside the bunkers were sold through auction. Afterwards, on 19 July 1947, plans were drawn up to demolish the bunkers but the plans were called back on March 20, 1948. Before 1985 the command bunkers were still used by the Civil Protection, but moved afterwards. Eventually the bunker village was recognized as Monument on June 11, 2004.
The bunkers are restored and kept open by volunteers from non-profit organization VZW Bunker & Vliegtuig Archeo Antwerpen during their free-time. They receive no support and solely run on donations and own input. The museum is open each first week-end of the month or on appointment. Also its unique location are since recently appreciated by various film crews around the world and spent time filming some shots in and around the bunker(s). When you’ll be visiting this bunker – and a few others on appointment – you will meet some of the most enthusiastic volunteers, filled with knowledge and facts, and guide you through the bunkers passionately. Be sure to give them a like on their Facebook or visit their main website (in Dutch): bunkervliegtuigarcheo.com.
Bunker SK1 in which the museum is located
Various beach obstacles that were used at the Atlantikwall
Atlantikwall Belgium Bunker Erwin Rommel militaria Museum Wehrmacht
