In the first polder of later Flevoland, there were three air watch towers in the 1950s and 1960s. They bore the names 6K1, 6K2 and 6K3, which in practice were called Karel 1 to 3 when reported. The Karel 1 was on Urk, next to the Kerkje aan de Zee, the Karel 2 was in the Emmelerbos in Emmeloord and the Karel 3 was in the Enserbos in Ens.
Most of the air watchtowers were demolished from the mid-1960s onwards, because with the arrival of fighter jets that could intercept enemy aircraft as well as improved radar technology, the air watchtowers and their crews were no longer needed.
The air watch tower in Ens no longer e…
In the first polder of later Flevoland, there were three air watch towers in the 1950s and 1960s. They bore the names 6K1, 6K2 and 6K3, which in practice were called Karel 1 to 3 when reported. The Karel 1 was on Urk, next to the Kerkje aan de Zee, the Karel 2 was in the Emmelerbos in Emmeloord and the Karel 3 was in the Enserbos in Ens.
Most of the air watchtowers were demolished from the mid-1960s onwards, because with the arrival of fighter jets that could intercept enemy aircraft as well as improved radar technology, the air watchtowers and their crews were no longer needed.
The air watch tower in Ens no longer exists either. But the foundations, a concrete tank 1.80 metres deep, did remain. These foundations are still clearly visible in the landscape today. Also, on the initiative of the Cultuurhistorisch Centrum Noordoostpolder and Stichting Canon De Noordoostpolder, an information panel has been placed near the foundations. This keeps the memory of the air watchtower alive.
