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World War
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| Routes to the past in French-speaking Belgium | |
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The 'Battle of the Ardennes' was the final confrontation of the Second World War that took place on Belgian soil between 16 December 1944 and 28 January 1945. Many lived through it, others have heard about it, but nobody today can remain indifferent about this decisive episode. Every year, not only in Bastogne but also in La Roche-en-Ardenne, Hotton, Houffalize Malmedy, Sankt Vith, Marche-en-Famenne, Vielsalm, or in Neuville-en-Condroz or Henri-Chapelle as well as in other places, villages and towns in Wallonia, we remember! We remember with emotion, reverence and respect these soldiers who came from overseas to bring peace into our towns, villages and homes, and paid a very heavy price. It is our wish to express our "duty of remembrance" through this brochure that will guide you from towns to villages, from memorial stones to monuments, from museums to sites or military cemeteries. Also, it’s an opportunity to discover "down memory lane" the present day aspects of these regions of Wallonia, which, while not forgetting the “historical past”, offer you the most beautiful aspects of convivial tourism, in which the proximity and “the glow of living” punctuate our suggestions for relaxing or unusual discoveries. |
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| ROUTE 1: The British in the battle | |
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Itinerary: This route starts at Florennes, and goes through de towns and villages of Dinant, Celles, Rochefort, Bure Saint Hubert, Champlon, Bande, Marche-en-Famenne Hotton and finally La Roche-en-Ardenne.
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| ROUTE 2: Bastogne | |
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Itinerary: This route starts at Bastogne, and goes through the following towns and villages: Bizory, Recogne, Noville Mageret, Neffe, Marvie, Villers-La-Bonne-Eau, Assenois Senonchamps, Hemroulle, Champs, Longchamps and finally back Bastogne (Place Merceny). |
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| ROUTE 3: The breakthrough of the German 6th panzer army | |
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Itinerary: This route starts at Henri Chapelle, and runs through the villages and towns of Eupen, Elsenborn Krinkelt-Rocherath, Büllingen, Bütgenbach, Baugnez Ligneuville, Saint Vith, Poteau, Vielsalm, Grand Halleux Neufmoulin, Trois-Ponts and finally La Gleize. |
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| ROUTE 4: The stopping of the 6th and 5th German Panzer Armies | |
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Itinerary: This route starts at Neuville-en-Condroz, and runs through the villages and towns of Rabozée-Baillonville Marche-en-Famenne & Verdenne, Hotton Melines-Soy Sadzot, Grandmenil, Manhay, Malempre, Bra-sur-Lienne Trois-Ponts, Stavelot, Malmedy, La Gleize and finally Werbomont. |
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| ROUTE 5: Patton and his 4th Armored Division | |
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Itinerary: This route starts at Bastogne, and runs through the villages and towns of Roche-en-Ardenne, Marcourt-Marcouray, Beffe, Dochamps, Samree, Baraque de Fraiture Bovigny, Wibrin and finally Houffalize.
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| World War II | |
| AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES | |
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Ardennes America Cemetery Neuville-en-Condroz This World War II cemetery covers 90 acres and contains the graves of 5,328 American servicemen, many of whom died in the Battle of the Bulge. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitors' Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites. |
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Cemetery Henri-Chapelle - Hombourg. In this World War II cemetery of 57 acres, rest 7992 American servicemen, many of whom gave their lives during the advance of the U.S. Armed Forces into Germany. The cemetery is located 2 miles west of the village of Henri-Chapelle, which is about 18 miles from Liege. Directions: Trains run from Brussels to Welkenraedt (23 miles west of Liege). The train station is only a short bus or taxi ride from the cemetery. |
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American Battle Monuments Commission Additional information on American Military cemeteries. |
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| MUSEUMS AND MEMORIALS | |
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Royal Museum of the Army Brussels The museum offers an insight in the fundamental changes which have taken place in armament and military technology over more than 10 centuries. |
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Museum December 1944 - La Gleize-Stoumont The Gillain collection is one of the most important in Europe for uniforms, equipment and American and German badges. Contact: museum@december44.com |
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Museum of the Battle of the Bulge La-Roche-en-Ardenne The visitor will discover over 120 mannequins of American English, German and even Scottish soldiers with their equipment and armament, as well as uniforms donated by veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. Discover an important collection of light and heavy arms, photographic documents, personal objects and equipment found on the battlefield. Some 20 military vehicles are also on display. Contact: info@batarden.be |
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Ardennen Poteau '44 Museum Poteau-St.Vith Tours are offered in halftracks around the battlefields. Contact: poteau44@scarlet.be. |
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The Mardasson Memorial Bastogne This memorial is a tribute from the Belgian population as a whole to the American nation. Its construction came about thanks to an initiative of the Belgian American Association set up in 1945 and consisting of various Belgian dignitaries who wished to perpetuate the memory of those brave American youths who fell on our soil. Given that the American effort was so decisive here, Bastogne was chosen as the site for the memorial's construction. |
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Exhibition 'I was 20 in '45 in Bastogne Bastogne The Bastogne exhibition is totally new and original. This is why, within the context of the sixtieth anniversary of the famous Battle of the Ardennes, the organizers are proposing an exhibition focused on memories. It will also deal with the elementary values of our democratic principles through the accounts of those who were part of the history. |
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Canada War Museum, Adegem-Maldegem Through many realistic scenes you experience war time. A monumental panorama represents the battle for the Leopold canal in a most impressive way. This museum is unique in Europe. |
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| Waterloo |
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Waterloo is, of course, the place where Napoleon lost the battle against the allied troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian Marshal Blucher in June 1815 |
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| World War I | |
| AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN BELGIUM | |
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World War I Cemetery This cemetery is on a six-acre site, about one and a half miles southeast of the town of Waregem and about 25 miles from Ypres (Ieper). It is the smallest American cemetery on the European continent and it is also the only American Cemetery in Belgium from the First World War. Directions: Trains from Brussels to Waregem take about 1h 15 minutes. |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission For Information on the location of any grave, cemetery or memorial. |
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A list of all war cemeteries in Belgium with pictures. |
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Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery Established by the Germans in late August 1914, after the Battle of Mons and the subsequent British retreat from Belgium. It remained in German hands until November 1918 and has the distinction of containing the graves of some of the first and last casualties of the First World War. |
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| Tours Operators in Belgium |
| Tour Operators specialized in WW2: |
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Battle of the Bulges Tours with a specialised tourist guide Contact the Belgian Tourist Office for more information : contact |
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Located in Dinant - offer tours dedicated to WWII with a mini van for groups up to 18 people. |
| Bastogne and Battle of the Bulge Guided Tours with Henri Mignon Mignon is a retired artillery officer of the Belgian Army, born in 1936 |
| Tours Operators Other |
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The Battlefield Tour is a journey of self discovery through this historic battlefield on board a four wheeled truck. Ticket includes audiovisual show, film, and entrance into the Wax Museum. Email: reservations@waterloo1815.be |
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Thirteen exceptional museums and monuments. |
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A visit to the Waterloo battlefield for groups or individuals with qualified guides is not to be missed. |
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Offers Waterloo and WW1 & WW2 tours departing from London/UK. |
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Offering WWII Escorted, 13 night tour. |
| Midas Tours - Battlefield and historical tours |
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Tours in Belgium and Normandy |
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Conducted and self-drive tours to the Somme and Ypres Battlefields. |
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Offers Battle of the Bulge tours |
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Offers tour of Europe following the US Airborne 101 in WWII, including Bastogne. |
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Arranges a variety of different guided one-day battlefield tours |
| More Information |
| On the web : |
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The Bulge and Normandy Battles Read more about the history of the battles, as written by William Cavanagh, a military historian and battlefield guide. A fascinating insight into how the battles changed the lives of millions for always. |
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The American Battle Monuments Commission For information regarding the location of specific graves and other details |
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Center of Research and Information on the Battle of the Bulge (C.R.I.B.A.) Located in Belgium. |
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Veterans of The Battle of Bulge The official website of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. |
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Commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge Located in Bastogne. |
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An overview of Canada's role in this terrible conflict. |
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
| In the library : |
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“A Tour of the Bulge Battlefield” by William C.C. Cavanagh This great new book covers in detail the scene of one of the greatest battles of World War Two. Maps and photographs help to illustrate the battle itself and offer a detailed guide to touring the battlefield as it is today. The book is organized in a series of itineraries, giving vital information on pivotal areas of the overall battle Krinkelt Bastogne, St. Vith etc… It works equally well for the battlefield visitor as well as those who cannot make the trip but who wish to gain a deeper appreciation of the terrain over which this momentous battle was fought. |
