American 203mm Howitzer M1A1 Hasselt

The gun, an American howitzer M1 on spreader frame M1A1, caliber 203 mm or 8 inch (M114A1) from WWII, is a gift from the American embassy in memory of the war (US Army Dept. of Defense). The gun is placed on a pedestal and has the following text: "in memory of the 2nd armored division 'HELL ON WHEELS' (USA) liberated our city in 1944 and of the 62nd Artillery Battalion, stationed in Hasselt on 6/08 / 59 to 11/15/63 ".

When leaving Hasselt, the commander of the 62nd Artillery Battalion promised, in memory of the stay of this battalion and also that of the 2nd Armored Division 'Hell on Wheels', which liberated our city in September 1944, a permanent memorial. in Hasselt.

The cannon used to be on Kolonel Dusartplein, but was later moved to the KA2 gym on Koning Boudewijnlaan.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Rudi Triki