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Concerns regarding the political intensions of the Soviet Union and anxiety concerning the Red Army were very substantial in Western Europe following World War II. The inevitable political conflicts did not result in war but neither was there a state of peace during the so-called Cold War period. The existing conditions prompted the western allies to establish a North Atlantic Agreement. Article five of the Agreement provided that an attack on one of the signatories to the Agreement would be considered an attack on all of the signatories. Less than a half year thereafter, the Agreement lead to the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The NATO Treaty members were expected to provide a reasonable contribution to their joint defense. The Netherlands was occupied with the post-war reconstruction and was hardly able to fulfill the NATO requirement. Nevertheless, in order to halt or delay an sudden Russian invasion, a proven approach from the past was used, a water line of defense. The IJssel Line was established between Nijmegen and Kampen, creating floodwater obstacle (inundation) 120 kilometers long (75 miles) and a maximum of 10 kilometers wide (6 miles).

The idea was developed by then Captain J.C.E. Haex (1911-2002). The intension was to delay a Russian advance to gain time. Men and materials could then be shifted from Great Britain to the front.