Work on the Red Rooster

Not far from Veenendaal, on the territory of Amerongen and Renswoude, the defences of the Grebbe Line are hidden under the greenery. In the past, the works were referred to by the names of the Post aan de Roode Haan and the Werk aan de(n) Roode(n) Haan. The name Roode Haan refers to an inn that has since disappeared. The innkeeper recalled the fires that raged when Spanish troops held sway in Veenendaal and more than 100 houses went up in flames.

The current works on the Roode Haan were completed in 1785-1786, when an attack via the Emminkhuizerberg was still to be reckoned with. That attack could have come from Joseph II's Austria, which caused tensions in Europe. The defensive structure that was supposed to close off the access to the west at this position actually consists of the fortified Liniedijk in tiled form. Thanks to this form, it became possible to construct gun emplacements for cannons. The works were supplemented by a half Lunette on the Renswoud side of the water, where artillery could also be brought into position.

Lock Roode HaanIn the course of time, the Work on the Roode Haan was adapted several times. The lock was also renewed in 1847. A few years later, in 1866, it was made possible to set up inundations behind the line dike.

When the Grebbe Line started serving as a Valley Defence Line during the mobilisation days, the Work at the Roode Haan was provided with concrete casemates. These were mainly cast steel casemates that were dismantled by the occupying forces in 1941. Here and there the concrete remains are still in the terrain. During the May days of 1940, anti-aircraft guns were also stationed at the lock that appeared to score hits on an aircraft flying overhead. In any case, the Junker crashed not far from the Slaperdijk.

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