MFB Olmen

As a part of the air defenses of Festung IJmuiden, the German air force built “Olmen” anti-aircraft battery. It was located to the south of Heerenduin Coastal Battery and included four emplacements for air defense artillery, two type FL243 bunkers and two (mirror image) type FL249 bunkers. The bunkers were built in an octagonal formation with ammunition alcoves that were connected with adjacent personnel quarters by a flight of stairs. The rather large fire control post was situated about one hundred meters further north. Its base was of type FL244 with a type FL311 superstructure. For a command bunker, its crew quarters were uncharacteristically numerous. Surveillance and measurement was carried out in an open observation post at the front of the bunker. Situated between the fire control post and the four emplacements, were three light anti-aircraft guns for defense against low-flying attackers. Northeast of the fire control post, a type M183 bunker contained the generator that supplied the battery with electricity. The ammunition for the anti-aircraft guns was stored in two large type FL246 depots, located to the south. Facing one of the entrances was… a bowling alley. Located at the rear of the compound were secondary works including a pigsty, a wooden mess hall, a washroom, and a Dutch shelter dating from World War I.

The battery has not been not modified after the war. The trails on the site of the Heerenduin coastal battery continue towards the Olmen battery and its unusual fire control post. The emplacements and the associated troop quarters are open to the public as is the fire control post. The site further contains a few Tobruks for close combat defense of the complex. The large ammunition bunkers are not accessible.