Fortifications and military history The Afsluitdijk provides a road link between the provinces of
Friesland and
North Holland. Since
North Holland was part of
Vesting Holland ("Fortress Holland"), the
national redoubt of the Netherlands at the time, and control of the sluices in the Afsluitdijk was necessary for planned defensive inundations in case of a military invasion, Kornwerderzand was considered strategically important by the Dutch government. From 1931 onwards, fortifications consisting of seventeen
casemates and three
bunkers were constructed. The position was manned with approximately 220 troops in 1939. During the
German invasion of the Netherlands in
World War II, the Kornwerderzand position was defended by Dutch troops. On May 13 and May 14, 1940, the fortifications were attacked by the German first Cavalry Division, while the
Luftwaffe attacked supporting Dutch naval units. The German troops, initially lacking support by heavy
artillery, were unable to take the position. The fortifications also withstood attacks by
dive bombers. The next day the Dutch military in the Netherlands (except for the province of
Zealand) surrendered, and the battle ended with the surrender of the position. In 1943, the occupying German military improved the defenses by building three additional bunkers. Nowadays, some of the fortifications can be visited as part of the Kazemattenmuseum ("casemate museum"). Before 2011, the village was part of the
Wûnseradiel municipality. ==See also==