22,000 bunkers and fortifications were planned, of which around 14,800 were actually built – including 32 so-called B-Werke. The B-Werke were among the biggest and strongest bunker complexes along the Siegfried Line and were only built at strategically important points. The B-Werk in Besseringen, built in 1938/39, is the only intact structure with all armoured cupolas left.
The B-Werk Besseringen was so constructed that a force of 85 – 90 soldiers could keep up the battle unaided for up to 4 weeks. The edifice reaches three storeys deep into the ground; on the surface only the sentry and the gunrooms can be seen. Inside, 44 rooms housed the crew, provisions, weapons and ammunition. A presentation underlines the memorial character of the B-Werk, impressively documenting persecution and resistance, as well as civilian losses.
The armoured cupolas:
- 2 six-gunport turrets 20 P 7 for 2 MG 34 on gun-mounting 34
- Armoured cupola for automatic M19 mortar with automatic ammunition hoist
- Armoured flamethrower cupola for automatic flamethrower FN
- Observation cloche 90 P 9 for issuing target and firing instructions
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