Battle of the Bulge trip.

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:16 pm

Now at the german cemetry Recogne

Some of these early winter photographs are fantastic.

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:30 pm

Here we are at the "Band Of Brothers" Easy company memorial partially
paid for by Mr and Mrs Tom Hanks.

The old railway line.

Apparantly there are still signs of fox holes in the woods.

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:50 pm

Just a comment or two about this Belgium trip.

The outward bound and inward bound coach journey was a nightmare

Leaving our house at 0325 and arriving at the destination hotel, the holiday inn at Liege at 2230 was horrendous!!

Leger staff were excellent but if there is ever a next time our journey will be by train, down south and through the chunnel to where ever and join the trip there

Its a few days now and we still have swollen ankles

It was so nice to meet the guys (and yes there were several ladies on the trip ?)

Many thanks to Sven for joining up with us. Great guy.

Thanks to Paul Morris, Clive Lockwood and Bob Morley for thier appreciation of the photographs

Adrian and Stuart have many more as do I !!!

Is it worth posting any more? I wonder? maybe not?

Hey Ho thats life!

Regards Stewart

Sven Strobbe · Post by **Sven Strobbe** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:25 am

Stewart

It was a pleasur to meet you guys and a pitty it was only for one day.
Even i haven't seen it all and probably stil more to see..
You can wish for it all but you can't get it all....
Very nice to see some new and places i've seen before again.

For me you can keep posting...
Waiting what the rest of you guys think...

Regards

Sven

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:33 pm

Next is the Bastogne Museum

The Stuart turret

The tank destroyer (M-10A1 Tank Destroyer )

A large war memorial built on the nearby Mardasson hill

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:54 pm

Adrian I had a message from Stuart to say that he was catching up on outstanding jobs

Hence lack of photos!

Regards Stewart

Sven you have my phone number? Call anytime my friend

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:39 pm

Nearly at the end of the tour now

Bastogne and the famous shot of the Sherman.

And General Mcauliffe

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:43 pm

Next stop Bande

On the 11th January 1945 a patrol of the 1st Canadian parachute battalion accompanied by Belgian SAS paratroopers left Marche-en-Famenne, entered the village of Bande and to their horror discovered the bodies of 34 civilians shot in the back of the neck on Christmas Eve and dumped in the basement of a ruined house , the youngest among them being 17 years of age.

Several days later, these victims of the Gestapo, were given a full military funeral.

A plaque bearing the victims names

To the cellar

The cellar (excuse the lousy photo)

A book showing the ruined building

Regards Stewart

Adrian Harris · Post by **Adrian Harris** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:34 pm

Slightly better photo of the memorial in the basement:

And the commemorative plaque at the top of the stairs:

Adrian.

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:46 pm

Adrian and Stuart had state of the art cameras????

Not my piece of cheap junk bought from Jessops in a sale years ago

So

To you both

Regards Stewart

Adrian Harris · Post by **Adrian Harris** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:58 pm

The camera might be state of the art but that doesn't guarantee a good photo

Is that a case of Stuart not knowing his a**e from his n**s

Adrian.

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:06 pm

I am actually amazed at how many of mine turned out to be ok?

Stuart says he will post some photos in the near future?

Is that a figment of his imagination? Or just hot air as a result of eating to many nuts?

LOL

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:36 pm

Here we are at Hotton

The commonwealth war cemetery

Here 666 soldiers and airmen have been laid to rest.

Barbara Cartlands brother

Major Lawless

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:21 pm

Ok another Panther ausf G at Granmenil

Not my picture as camera didnt like the dark

This vehicle belonged to 2nd SS Panzer division and ran out of fuel.

Regards Stewart

Stewart Ashton · Post by **Stewart Ashton** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:41 pm

Trip over and its back to the Holiday Inn

A fabulous tour of the battle zone.

Regards Stewart