zkušební a cvičný objekt CE Other

The trial and training object CE "Jordan," called "Benešák," is a infantry cabin of Czechoslovak fortification. Located in Brdy on the north slope of the Swing Hill at an altitude of 760 metres. The construction was built in 1936 for testing equipment and equipment for heavy fortification and is currently protected as a cultural monument.

On the basis of the selection procedure, the building was entrusted to the Prague company Litika a.s., which carried out a rough construction between 14 April and 27 May 1936 for an amount of 884 000 CZK. The creation of the building is linked to the construction of a heavy fortification line in the framework of the Czechoslovak defensive measures at a time of increasing tension in Europe before World War II.

Architectural is a one-sided cabin designed to fire main weapons in one direction. The building was built in the 2nd degree of resistance; Its ceiling is 200 cm thick, while the front wall covered with a rock and soil cover is 225 cm. The cabin is partially double-storey, which distinguishes it from normal infantry objects with the same size of both floors. The upper floor includes engine room and filter room, commander's station, telephone room and a large shooting room with twin machine guns and anti-tank cannon. The corridor leads to the cover wing where water tanks, toilets and entrance to the armored bell are located. The lower floor consists of quarters for 22 men, a room of ground telegraphy, a storage facility and a sink of wastewater.

Since the autumn of 1936 there have been tests of weapons developed for heavy fortification, including anti-tank cannon vz. 36 connected with heavy machine gun vz. 37, heavy machine guns vz. 35 and 37 and light machine guns vz. 26. There were also tests of various lafets, air conditioning, lighting, aggregates, strong doors and fasteners. The knowledge gained has been used since February 1937 to train border troops. The object was also subjected to a test shooting with artillery up to a calibre of 30,5 cm. After the war, part of the damage was repaired and the object was used to test new aggregates, chemical filters and PvK cannon vz. 44 / 59 calibre 85 mm, which required replacement of the original cannon shooter with a completely different design. In the 1930s, anti-tank and anti-personnel obstacles were also tested near the building.

The building intersects the cadastral border of the municipality of Úběnice (county of Příbram) and Malá Víska (county of Beroun). He was in the territory of Brda Military Departure until the end of 2015. In August 2012 it was declared a cultural monument and has been in the administration of the Military Historical Institute Prague since 2017. The cabin appeared in the films Pilots and General School; In the 1990s, there were also military history clubs.

This object represents an important technical and historical document of the time of preparations for state defence. It is an excellent example of the test operation of military equipment, so we recommend its visit to all interested in the history of Czechoslovak fortification.