"SK1" Sonder Konstruktion 1
The vast majority of German Atlantic Wall bunkers were standard types but for the H.Q. in Antwerp it was decided to build two SK1 bunkers "special construction 1".
Together they housed the general and staff of the corps who had to organize and direct the tens of thousands of troops in the coastal area. One was assigned as "Führungsbunker" and the other as "Quartiermeister" bunker, on this page we explain what that meant and some of the history.
The bunker was designed in 1943 and very rarely built resulting in only four existing examples, the 2 in Antwerp and 2 at separate locations in France.
The SK1 in Tourcoing, where the 15th Army was headquartered, was also turned into a museum by volunteers and is well worth a visit (website).
Statistics
35 yd x 17,5 yd
Approx. 2350 yd³ of concrete
Approx. 220462 lbs of reinforcement steel
The technical area is on the right and contains the rooms with facilities for ventilation, water and electricity. A small "Kampfraum" was added behind this entrance, which made it possible to also monitor the other entrances from the side. The rest of the bunker consisted of office spaces for the staff of the unit, the left part of the bunker was equipped to set up a telephone exchange and had several niches for transmitting with antennas.
"Führungsbunker"
Antwerpen 01, 287, SK1
In the eastern SK1 bunker the General resided with his Chief of Staff and the “Ia” (Operations) + “Ic”(Intelligence), the 1st and 3rd Staff Officer of the Corps respectively. The Ia department had the right-hand part of the working area, including his "kartenstelle" (map service), and the general was in the center with his chief of staff across the hall. The Ic department was logically located in the left part near the rooms with facilities for communication. Together, all these officers drafted the orders necessary to put the general's command into action. In turn, they provided the general with all the necessary information to help him decide.
After W.W.2 what was left inside was publicly sold by the city and the plan was conceived to demolish the bunker(s). The costs involved with such a project however, turned out to be their salvation.
In 1973 the Civil Defense had plans to turn this SK1 into a Provincial Command Center but apart from a few alterations inside nothing came of it.
Since 1999 it's been renovated and set up as a museum, in 2004 the official recognition as a historical monument followed.
The history of the site itself and its role in the Atlantic Wall are explained in detail. Through the spaces, objects and accompanying documentation, one gets a clear picture of the bunkers, from construction to use. Two rooms are filled with objects and documentation on the air war, especially the V1 and V2 weapons ravaging Antwerp and its port for 6 months.
"Quartiermeister bunker"
Antwerpen 01, 288, SK1
The "Qu." bunker got its name from the "Ib"or "Quartiermeister", the 2nd staff officer. He had to provide the necessary resources to carry out all the plans of the other side. In addition to this department, other support services relating to weapons and equipment, personnel, gas protection as well as the offices of the “ARKO” (Artillery Commander) were also located here.
Apart from the missing contents, this SK1 has remained largely in its original condition since WW2. This provides interesting information for the restoration of the one opposite, such as the fixings for cable clamps on walls and ceilings that could be reproduced correctly when all electricity there was replaced at the end of 2016. All the brick walls dividing the office spaces are still there, all were removed on the other side, presumably in the 1970s. One of the minimal differences with the SK1 on the other side is that the communication section has a brick wall and therefore an extra room.
