Eben-Emael and Bastogne visits

[Thorlifter]

This weekend I was able to visit the fortress at Eben-Emael and go to Bastogne. I actually never heard of Eben-Emael before and was told about it by a local here in Antwerp. I wish I could have gone inside as there are 5km of tunnels, but I during this time of year it's not always open. Then I headed south to Bastogne to see the memorial they have there. The people are extremely grateful to the 101st airborne and other units that helped to liberate the town. What I didn't know is the military barracks that Gen. McAuliffe and many others used are still there and they have some very nice diorama's set up. I have a lot more pictures but this will give you an idea of what is there.

This is the main entrance to the fortress

One of several blocks that contained 3 75mm guns

The memorial at Bastogne. They are doing some remodeling and building a new museum

Tank at the Barracks in Bastogne

Model of Gen McAuliffe talking with his commanders. This is in his actual office

Soldier working the switchboard. You see the lines coming out of the back which were connected to field radios. Visitors that were there in 1944 said as many as 200 lines actually came into that room.

American .50cal AA gun

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool! I had no idea there was a memorial there.

 

[Lucky13]

 

[Thorlifter]

Here are a couple more. The first picture shows the entrance to the barracks. I left the one picture full size so you could expand it and see the yellow circles I marked. The spot on the brick is where a soldiers .45 hit the wall (unrelated incident to the picture being taken) and you can see it in the old picture too. The photo is of Gen. McAuliffe is in place of the window that is in the picture. The same with the picture of the C-47's dropping supplies. The buildings to the right are the same ones on the right side of the picture.

(edit) I changed the image size from 4.8meg to 1.4meg so it would load faster. Admins, if the picture needs to be resized more, please do.

 

[Marcel]

Nice Roland, I was on Eben Emael last year, was impressed by the size. Did you have a chance to walk on the roof? You can still see the traces of the assault there.

 

[Thorlifter]

Yeah I did Marcel, but I didn't notice that. Wish I had.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots Roland!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Marcel]

Yeah I did Marcel, but I didn't notice that. Wish I had.

I think I've got t threat about it somewhere here. Can't find it at the moment.