Cycling route Death Valley de Peel - Headquarters (#3)

Headquarters

Asten has a number of prominent mansions that recall its rich industrial past. One of these is the Bluijssen villa on the corner of Julianastraat/Koningsplein. This building played an important role at the beginning and end of the war. During mobilization time, the staff of the 30th Infantry Regiment of Lieutenant Colonel G.Themann's Peel Division was based there. Upon liberation, the villa became the headquarters of Major General George-Pip-Robers (commander of the 11th British Armored Division), Major Generals L.M. Silvester and R.W. Hasbrouck (commanders of the American 7th Armored Division / Lucky Seventh) and Major General C.M. Barber (commander 15th Scottish Division). The American 4-star general Omar Bradley dropped by on October 30, 1944 to immediately remove the incompetent Silvester from his position (!) and promote Hasbrouck.
Behind this building around the corner was Koningsplein.
Until a few years ago, the Bartholomeus retirement home was located on the right side of the square, which repeatedly served as a 'safe area' for injured soldiers and fleeing civilians during WWII.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Martin Damen