Johan Willaert Posted September 18, 2011 Share #1 Posted September 18, 2011 Since the disbanding of the Artillery Unit stationed in the Bastogne Barracks, the entire complex has been taken over by the Belgian Royal Army Museum. The entire armor collection of the museum was transfered to the barracks and a team of mechanics are now restoring vehicles on a daily basis. The buildings that were used by the 101AB Div during the siege of the town in December 1944 are being refurbished to look as they did during the Battle of the Bulge. Using original or very good reproduction items some displays have been installed in the original location where Gen McAuliffe spoke the infamous words "NUTS" in answer to the German demand for surrender. The basement of the building where the divisional HQ was located is now known as the 'Nuts Cave'. Meanwhile work continues on other displays in the barracks. The barracks are open to the public every day, except on Mondays and there are guided tours several times a day (9 & 10AM, 1 & 2PM) Just park your car outside and walk up to the guard house and they will let you in. Addres: Caserne Heintz , Belgian Military Museum, MRA Rue de La Roche 40 6600 Bastogne Belgium The barracks are located across the street from the old city cemetery. Google Maps Link: http://g.co/maps/jffj6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted September 18, 2011 McAuliffe's HQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted September 18, 2011 Signal Company Room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted September 18, 2011 The actual room where the Divisional HQ Officers had their X-Mas dinner. I have been told they will replace the tableware with an original Officers' field mess kit as it was, anbd add mannequins to the display in the future.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1944 Posted September 18, 2011 Share #5 Posted September 18, 2011 Johan, Excellent Information there and Thanks for sharing it with us :thumbsup: That will diffneatly have to be next on the list of places to visit Belgium and the Netherlands.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted December 5, 2011 Someone posted this over at Trigger Time and I thought it looked just awesome... Just in time for the 67th Battle of the Bulge Commemorations next weekend, they added some very realistic mannequins to the scene... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeper704 Posted December 5, 2011 Share #7 Posted December 5, 2011 That's - as you say - awesome! I need to get over there to visit. Erwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted December 5, 2011 Share #8 Posted December 5, 2011 Love those mannequins...first class! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted December 11, 2011 More details of the Christmas Dinner set-up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted December 11, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 12, 2011 Hi Johan, I had exactly the same idea as you had, sharing some pictures of this place of belgian and american history with our fellow forum members who can't, won't,... come and see it. I hope they will enjoy it as I did. The place was opened during this last weekend for the annual commemorations of the battle of the Bulge with also extra exhibitions. First picture is Bastogne Barracks during winter 1944-1945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #12 Posted December 12, 2011 Entrance of the Nuts cave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #13 Posted December 12, 2011 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #14 Posted December 12, 2011 The stairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #15 Posted December 12, 2011 Signal Company Message Room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #16 Posted December 12, 2011 Small scenes are made with original stuff as well as nice reproductions. Man, it's a cave so no central heating, no humidity control... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #17 Posted December 12, 2011 Another room of the cave with officers and maps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #18 Posted December 12, 2011 Question room with a german prisoner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #19 Posted December 12, 2011 General Mc Auliffe and some officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #20 Posted December 12, 2011 Gen Mc Auliffe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #21 Posted December 12, 2011 Gen Mac Auliffe and Liautenant Colonet Harry W. O. Kinnard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #22 Posted December 12, 2011 Gen Mc Auliffe in the Nuts cave in 1964. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #23 Posted December 12, 2011 That's all for the cave. In the main building, I was much impressed by the Christmas dinner scene. This is the 1944 picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #24 Posted December 12, 2011 Picture I took yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurent M. Posted December 12, 2011 Share #25 Posted December 12, 2011 Details are breathtaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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