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WWI and WWII Museums and Cemeteries

 

  World War I  
AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN BELGIUM

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.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

For Information on the location of any grave, cemetery or memorial.

Belgian Cemetery Index

A list of all war cemeteries  in Belgium with pictures.

MUSEUMS

In Flanders Field Ieper

Flanders has many museums remembering the times of the Great War. Instructive, objective and often poignant, they render an accurate picture of the magnitude and harshness of the battles. This museum offers an insight in how life was at and behind the trenches and offers detailed historic facts and statistics. Opening hours vary by season.

Sanctuary Wood Trench Museum Ieper

Also called Hill 62, here original British trenches have been preserved as they were found after the war. In the 1980s a tunnel was discovered. The museum collection contains equipment removed from the battlefield in the vicinity and many photographs, as well as a rare collection of three dimensional photo images in viewing boxes.

The 'Hooge Crater' Museum Zillebeke-Ieper

The museum houses a collection of all kinds of arms and equipment of the 1914-18 war, as well as a collection of  uniforms, furniture and other equipment of all the armies who were involved in the battles of Ypres.

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 Zonnebeke

Previously known as the Streekmuseum, it gives an oversight of the five battles of Ypres by means of authentic photographic material, a wide collection of historical artifacts and several life-like dioramas. The visitor will get the opportunity to walk through a German trench and descend into a unique 20 feet deep British dugout with communication and dressing posts, headquarters and accommodation.

World War I - trenche

Talbot House Poperinge

For almost the entire duration of World War I Poperinge, close to Ypres, remained one of the few unoccupied towns in Flanders and became the focal point of the British sector of the allied armies. Two army chaplains founded an "Every man's club", The Talbot House, where all soldiers were welcome. The museum includes an exhibition about  "The Life behind the Front during WW I."

Talbot House
Hill 60 - Queen Victoria Rifles Museum - Zillebeke.  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Last Post

Do not miss this deeply moving ceremony which takes place under the vast arch of the Menin Gate in Ypres. Every evening at 8:00 pm the traffic stops and the buglers from the local fire brigade play "The Last Post".

Meningate


  World War II 
AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES

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. Directions: Direct trains from Brussels to Liege (62 miles) run every 30 minutes. Taxis and a limited bus service to Neuville-en-Condroz (45 minutes) are available from Liege. 

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.

General Patton

American Battle Monuments Commission

Additional information on American Military cemeteries.

MUSEUMS AND MEMORIALS

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.

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

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

Ardennen Poteau '44 Museum Poteau-St.Vith  

Tours are offered in halftracks around the battlefields. To contact: poteau44@scarlet.be.

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.

Mardasson Monument - Bastogne

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.

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.

 

 

 Tours Operators in USA

Alpventures Tours

Offers battle of the Bulge Tours and more.

Historic Tours

WWII tours- offers custom-designed Veterans' Group Travel.

MilSpec Tours

Offers battle of the Bulge tours.

WW 1 & 2 Special Tours

Customized trips of 7 to 14 days which explore the battlefields, monuments, museums, memorials, leaders (mainly American military) and history associated with these two incredibly significant events.

 

  Tours Operators in Belgium
Tour Operators specialized in WW1:

Flanders Battlefields Tours

Based in Ypres - Guided tours of the Flanders Fields.

Flanders Fields Battlefield Daytours

Fully guided, English spoken, Daytours to the Flanders Fields and Ypres.

Over the Top Tours

A tour company in Ypres specializing in WWI battlefields both in Belgium and France.

Salient Tours

Offering battlefield tours in Ypres and more.

Speedy's Battlefield Tours

Based in Ieper, WWI tours.

Quasimodo Tours

Based in Bruges - Guided tours of the Flanders Fields.

Ypres Private Guided Tours

Based in Ypres

Ypres Battlefield Tours Annette

Based in Langemark. Package tours Ypres and the Somme

Ypres Tourist Office

For a guided tour of the city Ieper and its WW I museums.

Tour Operators specialized in WW2:

Battle of the Bulges Tours with a specialised tourist guide

Contact the Belgian Tourist Office for more information : contact

Scenic Tours

Located in Dinant - offer tours dedicated to WWII with a mini van for groups up to 18 people.

 

 

 Tours Operators Other

Champ de Bataille de Waterloo

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

Culture Spaces

Thirteen exceptional museums and monuments.

Guides 1815

A visit to the Waterloo battlefield for groups or individuals with qualified guides is not to be missed.

Holts Tours Limited

Offers Waterloo and WW1 & WW2 tours departing from London/UK.

Image Tours Inc

Offering WWII Escorted, 13 night tour.

Midas Tours - Battlefield and historical tours

Past Endeavors

Tours in Belgium and Normandy

Flanders Tours

Tours of WWI battlefields.

Somme Battlefield Tours

Conducted and self-drive tours to the Somme and Ypres Battlefields.

Tours International Limited

Offers Battle of the Bulge tours

Ypres Battlefield Tours (based in the UK)

Thorough tours for small groups of up to six people

 

 More Information
On the web :

The American Battle Monuments Commission

For information regarding the location of specific graves and other details

Center of Research and Information on the Battle of the Bulge (C.R.I.B.A.)

Located in Belgium.

Veterans of The Battle of Bulge

The official website of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge

Located in Bastogne.

Trenches on the Web

History of the Great War (I) - great website by Mike Iavarone.

The Great War

1914-1918 - a great website by Tony Novosel.

Canadian Great War

An overview of Canada's role in this terrible conflict.

World War 1

Monuments, memorials and cemeteries of the AEF.

In Flanders Fields

WW1 information: museums, sites, cemeteries and more.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission
WW1 Website
Ieper.be
Talbot House
In the library :

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.

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