This book is a publication by the Documentation Centre Defence Line of Amsterdam. We specialise in the military history of the Amsterdam region.

Short link to these pages:
stelling.amsterdam/boek

See our English-language website about the Defence Line of Amsterdam.

Nederlands English Deutsch

Cover of Introduction to the Defence Line of Amsterdam.In the foreword, military historian and professor emeritus Wim Klinkert states that this book provides a wonderful insight into the origins, construction and functioning of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.

And that is exactly what it is intended to do. It is not the individual forts that are in the spotlight, but the Defence Line of Amsterdam as a military deterrent system; an ingenious combination of impassable water, protected at the weak points by 'armoured' concrete defences, around the Dutch capital. Nowhere else in the world has this principle been applied so effectively.

But how did that system of inundations and forts work, how was it built and what facilities were needed to survive within it for at least six months? How did the Defence Line fare during the First and Second World Wars and what was life like in the forts? These are some of the questions that this book aims to answer.

And finally, we also look at the current and future value of this unique defence belt; what use are the forts, defence walls, roads and polders that make up the Defence Line today? The Defence Line of Amsterdam has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and is more than worth passing on in good condition to future generations.

The book is available in three languages. See more informatiin in the other languages: Dutch and German.

Sales start on September 22nd.

Print ePub
€ 22,95 € 15,95
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A digital and paper edition

Page from Introduction to the Defence Line of Amsterdam with an explanation of a fort.'Introduction to the Defence Line of Amsterdam' is an independently published public book for anyone seeking reliable and comprehensive information about the waterline. Whether you're already familiar with the Defence Line of Amsterdam or not, you'll gain a complete, yet not overly detailed, insight into the latest insights. It's also very suitable for employees, for example, from provincial and municipal authorities, and fort users, but also a nice gift for those who are retiring..

The book contains extensive unique historical images from our own collection and contemporary (aerial) photographs. The Online chapter includes links and QR codes to webpages with more information. For source references, please refer to our Defence Line of Amsterdam website.

This publication is available in Dutch, English, and German, printed on heavyweight photo paper and digitally (ePub3). It is sold online, but printed copies can also be purchased or ordered in bookstores. Forts and museums interested in selling it can contact us. We would greatly appreciate it if you could help promote the book by referring it to people you know or posting a message with a link on social media or to promote.

Chapters

Page from Introduction to the Defence Line of Amsterdam about soldiers and fort guards.Introduction
Prologue
Construction
Inundation
Usage
Victualling
War
Civil Usage
Online
Colophon

Product Specification

Binding : Paperback
Distribution form: Book (print, digitaal ePub3)
Format: 240 mm x 170 mm
Weight: 172 grams
Number of pages: 64
Words: approx. 8.000
Images: 66
Publisher: Documentation Centre Defence Line of Amsterdam
Price print: €22,95
Price digitally: €15,95
ISBN print: 978-90-8358-630-4 (nl), 978-90-8358-631-1 (en), 978-90-8358-632-8 (de)
ISBN digitally: 978-90-8358-635-9 (nl), 978-90-8358-636-6 (en), 978-90-8358-637-3 (de)
Date of publication: 19-09-2025

Acknowledgements

Text advice: Prof. dr. Wim Klinkert (Em. Professor Military History), Sylvia Beliën and Eric ten Brummelhuis (province Noord-Holland).
Translations: Charles Blackwood (en), Hans-Rudolf Neumann (de).

Contemporary photo's: Marcel Anthonijsz, René Ros, Alexander Senger.
Air photos: Marcel Anthonijsz, Otto Bodemeijer, René Ros.
Historical photos: collection Documentation Centre Defence Line of Amsterdam.
Building plans: Nationaal Archief (National Archives).
Map layer: © OpenStreetMap-authors.
Unless otherwise stated.

We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed in any way to the website 'Defence Line of Amsterdam. A city wall of water' and/or the collection. See the Acknowledgments and Citations pages of that website for more information.

Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyrighted material. The authors apologise for any errors or omissions in the above list and would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future reprints or editions of this book.

About the Authors

René Ros

René Ros studied computer science at the University of Applied Sciences of Amsterdam and is a freelance consultant in office automation.
His passion for the Defence Line of Amsterdam and other military heritage in the region began in 1998. He has published the results of field and archival research on his website, in newsletters and as part of other publications.

Alexander Senger

Alexander Senger is a retired independent communications consultant/photographer.
His interest in the Defence Line of Amsterdam was sparked by his work for Herstelling Foundation, where unemployed people gained work experience by participating in maintenance and repair of the forts. Since 1998 he has taken pictures of the landscape, the forts and the people working there.