Thanks for the good, clear, steady shot of the plaque so we could read the whole thing. Names are important, of course, but so's the history as they recorded it.
Very strange timing, I'm from Florida and flew over to meet with my friend from Rotterdam. We planned on going to the 2011 Formula One race at Spa. We stopped off at the exact same place. We toured the whole region while we were there. I have to comment that where ever I was, it was an enjoyable experience.
I visited those woods in 2003. I thought the "foxholes" were actually places where trees had died of old age and fallen over and had been removed, roots and all.
The forest have been harvested at least 3 times since 1948 so authenticity is hard to find. Only CP is in its original state but 800 meters back to Bastogne. Nevertheless... the forest is very very scary and still their are places which are original. On the left of the road 2.50 that is were E was stationed on the site..(seems you missed it?) you will find foxholes probably from re enactors... on the otherside (right-side of the road to foy) where you stand at 2.50 that is where the germans were stationed.. as well.as.. because straight ahead (to Foy) their were also were the Germans where stationed.
In Part 2 I move across the road and into the E Co area. I deliberately uploaded this non-eventful clip partly to show how creepy it is anyway and to show that with a bit of better research (and luck) I might not have wasted about 2 hours walking through the 'German' side of the road. If you see the comments on Part 2 there is alot of argument over the authenticity of the foxholes. Personally, like you, I think the deeper/fresher looking ones are the result of post-war re-enactors. I would still recommend people to visit though. I have recently uploaded an extended HD version (Part 3) of the American side as well.
+VideoHistoryToday Some of the trees cannot be harvested due to shrapnel left in the trees since 1945 which can be very dangerous for a lumberjack with an chainsaw.
Тhis moviеее is nоw аvаilаblее tо watсh here => twitter.com/885b1c057d846dadf/status/795841109083570176 Рart 1 Band ооооf Broothеrs Е Cо fоxhоlеs Bаstоognе Belgium
@Morphis Apparently they are building a new Battle of the Bulge museum and have closed the small one beside the American Memorial on the edge of town. The Memorial is still impressive but the museum noted in guide books that sits beside it is closed (until 2012 according to the notices).
You really need to take your time to find the foxholes. Me and my friend visited Bastogne last weekend. It took about an hour to find the 'hotspot'; 30+ holes in less then 1acre. If you want the exact location coordinates, just PM me. Greetings from Belgium
cool video, my grandfathers brother fought in the battle of the bulge and was awarded the silver star for his actions there, I have a Luftwaffe dagger that he took of a german soldier after he killed him, I respect the german soldier that lost his life also just like I respect uncle andy
They are rebuilding it. It wil open in march 2014. Nice alternative is the new '101st Airborne' museum on Rue de la Gare in Bastogne. Really impressive.
Itt looks like a managed forest to me as well. You can see the logs piled up about 1 min in and while I was looking for something interesting I ran into a team of loggers at work. I think the forest in Part 2 is a little less managed but I'm no expert on forest management.
There is plenty of foreign flags in towns, including US's one and memorials over here are well preserved. I doubt anybody would have take it off for such reasons.
It always was a plantation. The trees have been cut and replanted many times over the years but the shape of the plantation has always been kept the same.
he should have asked some locals, preferably some old locals. There might be someone that was a kid when the war was raging. They might be able to tell him where it all took place.
Enfin des commentaires un peu justes..........vous êtes trop Américain, vous ne visitez QUE Bastogne, la bataille est plus visible dans d'autres endroit , des ardennes .......
