Jan2020
Photo report Bastogne nuts weekend 2019
The Bastogne nuts weekend was this year on December 14 and 15. We were already present on Friday with the veterans in the Bastogne War Museum and for the fireworks display in the Bastogne Barracks. The next day the Bastogne Historical Walk took place and there was a light show at the Mardasson that evening. No matter how beautiful the show was, it is open for discussion if it fits in a memorial weekend. Fortunately there were the necessary commemorations that same day. Including one in the pouring rain at the 326th Airborne Medical Company Monument in Sainte-Ode. The weekend also brought us to the big re-enactment event in Hardigny where a lot of re-enactors had come together.
Apr2017
Did we finally find turret 4?
In 2007 we already investigated the turrets in the vicinity of the seven exit roads in Bastogne. It turned out to be more difficult than we thought, but with a lot of outside help we identified 10 turrets in 2009. Many of them were moved these past years. One turret we could not find: turret 4, the twin brother of turret 3, which stood at the N834 in the direction of Bertogne, close to the Bastogne Barracks.
Feb2015
Photospecial In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division 2015
Two years ago we already were present also; In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division is a yearly organized march referring to the battles of the 82nd Airborne Division in the Ardennes. This year the locations that were visited, were related to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The start and finish were in La Gleize, world famous for its enormous Tiger II Tank. Your reporter left the Netherlands on Friday, in order to drive in two days from the German border in a westerly direction via La Gleize to the farthest point of the German advances during the Ardennes offensive, near Dinant.
Mar2014
Opening Bastogne War Museum
Tomorrow the completely renewed Bastogne War Museum will open its doors again. The museum is probably better known under its former name: Bastogne Historical Center. Closed since 2011, the museum was originally planned to reopen already in 2013; amongst others this was finally postponed by a fire until March 22nd, 2014. So tomorrow. Your reporter already went to have a preview at the press conference and in the museum. It became soon rather crowded, a lot of press had been attracted. The roads to the museum and the next door Mardasson were completely barred. Even the museum itself was checked for explosives with a tracking dog...
Dec2013
Photospecial Bastogne Historic Walk 2013
Saturday december 14, 2013. After your reporter made the trip already yesterday to Bastogne via Beek and La Gleize today was the day for the 36th edition of the Bastogne Historic Walk. This year, though encouraged by a hearty breakfast, your reporter departed in the early hours to the “Centre Sportif” for the start. This year the hikers could select a walk of 6.5 , 15.8 or 23.5 kilometers [ie approximately 4, 9.8 and 14.6 miles]. For each of the distances the sector of Flamierge and Mande Saint-Étienne was its main theme. Of course this is well-known as the meeting point of the 101st Airborne Division and the defense by the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment.
Feb2013
Photospecial In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division 2013
On saturday 23 February 2013 your reporter participated in the 31st edition of the march “ In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Divison”. The participants this time followed the traces of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion. It was cold, many of the forest tracks had become slippery skating rinks and now and then snow came down in the Ardennes. These were the ideal circumstances to experience a little bit the feelings the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division must have had during the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ in the Ardennes.
Dec2012
Photospecial Bastogne Historic Walk 2012
It is 06:30 in the morning and the alarm clock sounds in a hotel in Houffalize. Your reporter wakes in the rainy Ardennes. Today the 35th edition of the “Bastogne Historic Walk” takes place and STIWOT is present in full battle force. It will be the first event from which we will try to send live pictures from our smart phones. And to compose a report later this day back in the hotel with pictures from our cameras. Tomorrow we will leave for Recogne for the re-enactmentevent (DUTCH) and to close the day with a parade in the streets of Bastogne (DUTCH).
