The Battlefield Explorer

Today’s battlefield tour was all about the battles fought around Veghel. This included a visit to Erp where an original C-47 propeller is kept as a memorial to the crew of “Sonya” which crashed on the first day of Operation Market Garden.

Op stap met @bfxpl.bsky.social in Nederland

#lestweforget #ww2 #101stAB

The Naval museum in Varna (Bulgaria), a typical old style museum with lots of stuff standing outside slowly rotting away. Still, when in Varna, worth a visit!

The Houffalize Panther tank, restored to perfection and now sheltered from the weather. We visited this and many other locations around Bastogne today in the fourth and last day with a group of three wonderful friend from the States.

A great Easy Company tour today with a bus full of Dutch men and women. We visited the important locations in the Netherlands where the company was active. Including the famous Schoonderlogt Farm where Dick Winters had his picture taken.

Thanks to @battlefieldgron for hosting me!

The majestic road bridge across the Waal River in Nijmegen. Captured on September 20th 1944 in a combined assault by the British Grenadier Guards and the American Paratrooper of the 505th PIR. Massively supported by the heroic Waalcrossing which was executed by the 504th PIR.

The easy company memorial in Nuenen, it lists all (former) members of the company that were killed during Operation Market Garden and on the Island. We visited this location today on a battlefield tour with a lovely couple from Canada.

The last stop on the last England to the Eagle’s Nest tour of the season was to Hitlers least favourite tea house on the mountain overlooking Berchtesgaden. There are just 14 recorded visits that he went up there. A pleasure to guide for @wwiimuseum.bsky.social and @battlefielddisc.bsky.social

This morning during our visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery we placed flowers on the grave of John Julian. He was killed while on patrol near Bastogne as depicted in the HBO miniseries. With @wwiimuseum.bsky.social and @battlefielddisc.bsky.social

The Bois Jaques in Bastogne where Easy Company was dug in during the first phase of the Battle of the Bulge. Almost 81 years later it still is an incredible place to visit. We took the group here on the @WWIImuseum Easy company tour. Guiding with @BattlefieldDisc

The memorial to Robert Cole, commander of 3rd Battalion 502 Parachute Infantry. Killed on the 18th of September near Best after surviving all of Normandy, including the bayonet charge at Carentan. For that action he was awarded the Medal of Honor but he never knew that.

Schoonderlogt Estate where Winters took a picture under the arch. We visited this one and many other Easy Company locations on the England to the Eagle’s nest battlefield tour with @wwiimuseum.bsky.social and @battlefielddisc.bsky.social

In the footsteps of Easy Company today which included a walking tour of Eindhoven. At the Church we took this then and now of HQ company 506th PIR who were enjoying a moment of rest on September 18th, 1944. A great day with a lovely couple from the USA.

The commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Operation Market Garden at the Kangaroo Memorial in Veghel. The 101st Airborne Division is represented and the children from a local elementary school are participating in the ceremony.

The Eagle’s Nest overlooking Berchtesgaden on a perfect day. No clouds, blue skies. Our last stop on the England to the Eagle’s nest battlefield tour for the @WWIImuseum and @BattlefieldDisc. Tonight we’ll have the farewell dinner and all head home after a fantastic experience.

Inside the bunker at Dachau Concentration camp. This was the brutal prison within the camp. Many prominent prisoners were held here such as Georg Elsner who tried to blow up Hitler. It was also a place where many were tortured. Visited with @wwiimuseum.bsky.social and @battlefielddisc.bsky.social

Easy Company Memorial on the outskirts of the Bois Jacques with actor James Madio. We visited Bastogne today with locations such as, the cemetery where the Nurses are buried, the foxholes, Foy and we talked about the NUTS reply. On tour with @wwiimuseum.bsky.social & @battlefielddisc.bsky.social

Did you know that only two Screaming Eagles were awarded the Medal of Honor during WWII? One of them was Robert Cole for his heroic actions near Carentan in Normandy. He was sadly killed on Sept 18 during Market Garden before the medal recommendation was approved.

The Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, the last stop on the journey that begun for the guests in Aldbourne, England. Over the course of two weeks they followed Easy Company on almost every step in between. Tonight we have our farewell dinner, home tomorrow. @wwiimuseum.bsky.social

At the civilian cemetery opposite the barracks

General George S Patton Jr grave at Luxembourg American Cemetery. We visited it this morning and paid our respects at the grave of Patrick Neill and then the General. Now we are on our way to Haguenau on the England to the Eagles nest with the @WWIImuseum and @BattlefieldDisc

Bastogne today! We began this morning with a visit to the graves of the two civilian nurses who helped the Americans during the siege. Renée Lemaire and Augusta Chiwy, we paid our respects before moving on into town for the rest of today’s itinerary. @WWIImuseum @BattlefieldDisc

This morning we visited the memorials for Joe Mann and Robert Cole, the only two men in the 101st Airborne to be awarded the Medal of Honor during WWII. They died within 24 hours of each other and less than a mile apart. Both didn’t know they would be awarded the medal. @wwiimuseum.bsky.social

Schoonderlogt estate where the famous picture with Dick Winters was taken. It is always a guest favourite and today was no different. We visited it today on my first of 7 days with the @WWIImuseum - England to the Eagles nest tour. Guiding for @BattlefieldDisc

The first Saturday of September is always reserved for the annual Airborne march. This commemorative event takes you through the battlefields around Oosterbeek and every year over 30.000 people participate. It was my 32nd time and the kids are racking up the numbers too.

The other Joe Mann memorial, located at the pavilion about a mile away from where he was killed. Joe threw himself on a grenade to save his friends. For this he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The only one for the 101st Airborne during Operation Market Garden

This 25-Pounder gun was a gift from the veterans of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Airborne Division. It commemorates the men who never made it home and is dedicated to the people of Arnhem for their support and courage during the battle. It stands guard over the Arnhem bridge.

The Majestic Nijmegen bridge, captured intact by the allies on 20 September 1944 during Operation Market Garden. Arnhem was then only 10 miles away but they would not reach it in time. Notice the German PAK 38 gun on the lower right corner in the vegetation.

This medieval castle at Heeswijk played a small part during Operation Market Garden. The 1st Bn, 501st PIR landed here by mistake. The pathfinder plane was shot down with very few survivors leaving the dropzone unmarked. After a brief battle the jump casualties that stayed behind were taken prisoner

A Dutch Cougar helicopter of the Air Assault brigade throws up a dust cloud at the Ginkel Heath. In 1944 this heath was the dropzone of the 4th Parachute brigade during Operation Market Garden.