At the start of the 20th century the Dutch built a chain of 45 forts on a 135 km long dyke in a half circle around Amsterdam. The intention was to flood the local areas in times of attack with the forts providing the defence of the city, which would remain in the dry area. The forts were never used in this role and were mainly used for storage. Eventually they were sold except for the one that has become home to the RAFA Amsterdam Branch.

The fort was a bleak sight indeed when Branch members first entered our new home. No electricity, no plumbing, no doors and the place crammed with abandoned rubbish. It is a credit to those who gave up their free time to renovate the place, which has now been turned into such a cosy, comfortable home. To name but a couple of the many challenges confronting us, volunteers dug a 120 metre trench for water piping and fitted 250 metres of electrical cable! The work on the premises took more than 8 months to fully complete and the first social activities took place in the autumn of 1996 whilst work continued. The renovations were finally completed in the early months of 1998, just in time for the official opening on the 8th April of that year by our Patron for the Netherlands, His Royal Highness the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. The ceremony, which included the firing of two shots from a WW2 canon and a fly past and aerobatic display by our very own squadron, the ‘Edambusters’, was attended by over 100 invited guests.
The Branch is indebted to the many members and a group of young electricians from a local village for their time and energy which contributed to the successful renovation of the Branch HQ which was enjoyed by many members before it was closed for the final time on the 30th.May 2008.

Click here to see an animated picture of the Fort now and in 1940

Klik Vlag Voor Hollandse Versie