R618

"Nachrichtenstand für Höhere Stäbe"

This type was designed in 1942 as a communication bunker for higher staffs such as divisions or corps. The R618 accommodated 9 soldiers who provided communication for the staff by telephone and radio. Of the 20 copies that were built, only a handful remain.

Statistics

22,4 yd x 15 yd

1450 yd³ of concrete

101412 lbs of reinforcement steel

Most of the bunker consisted of rooms with equipment and personnel needed to receive and transmit all the messages. In the long narrow space there were several antenna niches, about which you can learn more in the museum. Messages also had to be "encrypted" with code, which was done with the famous enigma machine. Every day a new key was set on this machine to decrypt incoming messages and encrypt own messages. 

A smaller part to the right of the bunker, with a wider entrance, functioned as a storage place for equipment. The 3d image shows the storage with a wooden shelf to store spare telephone cables. Batteries were stored in the room to the right and they could also be recharged via the electricity grid.

  1. Antenna room
  2. Radio-officer key room
  3. Radio room
  4. Switch room
  5. Telephone exchange
  6. Report room
  7. Switch command post
  8. Cable room
  9. Charging area
  10. Heating room
  11. Defensive room
  12. Open observation post

For the 89th Army Corps in Antwerp this bunker was built in 1943 on the Wilrijkse Plein, about 600m north-west of the Führungsbunker. The explanation for this distance and location can be found in the regulations of the “Festungspioniere” (fortress engineers); the R618 had to be located 300-500 meters from the command post and in an environment where good the antennas could function well.

 

At the moment this bunker is not yet accesible. 

A R618 was also built for each divisional headquarters of the 3 KVAs under the Corps,
the one in Walcheren can be visited thanks to the Bunker Preservation Foundation
 (website).