Anti-tank obstacle , Ypres 1940. - Page 2

Warlord · 02-04-2008, 07:26 PM

Been looking for belgian armored trains all over the www, but have been able to find references only to those in WW1. Does anyone know what happened to them during the inter-war years?

Rich Payne · 02-04-2008, 07:52 PM

These pictures are all taken from Peter Taghon's 'Mei 1940' with a few of his comments. I haven't checked any facts. E.&.O.E.

Excuse the quality of this one which went across a page join. This view shows the line after the Germans had made a way through at a level crossing. Captioned only as 'between Frezenberg and Zilverberg'. Apparently the 3rd Lansiers only had 12 machine guns on this section. It seems to have been an anti-tank obstacle with no A/T guns so it could only have helped to delay.

This image shows a view under a wagon. The gun is captioned as a WW1 Colt Model 1917 which were only issued to third-line divisions.

A final picture showing two of the Belgian casualties close to the sleepers. The rifle is an 1889 Infantry model.

I'll keep my eyes open for anything else.

Rich

Paul Reed · 02-04-2008, 08:09 PM

Excellent photos - thanks for posting.

Warlord · 02-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Yes, utterly interesting.

Anything about the less "standard" aspects of war is welcome to enlighten us war expert wannabes.

Owen · 02-04-2008, 09:14 PM

Thanks Rich.
I think you need to take me around some Belgian bookshops.

Rich Payne · 02-04-2008, 09:21 PM

Owen, there's one in particular - 'De Krijger' in Erpe-Mere (between Gent and Aaalst, just off the E40). I can't visit for just a few hours, I always lose a day. He also publishes lots of booklets about air losses over Belgium and WW1 cemeteries.

:

e Krijger:: Boekenwinkel

Everything is in themed areas with second hand intermingled with new, as well as different languages.

Owen · 02-04-2008, 09:52 PM

Guess what I'm going to say now...
anyone recognise exactly where the X-ing is?
Paul?
Can you do a "Now" next time you're over there?
Arne, you live that way, can you pin-point it?

Paul Reed · 02-04-2008, 09:59 PM

The Ypres-Roulers line hasn't existed since the 60s, and I don't recognise that particular location as being close to Ypres. Part of the former railway line is now a road, and I know some houses have been demolished in places.

Rich Payne · 02-04-2008, 10:09 PM

Taghon says that it is close to Frezenberg and like Paul, I suspect it has disappeared now. I have walked along the track bed closer to Roeselare where they have made a cycle path out of it but I can't pick out the old line close to Ieper on current maps. It might be worth having a look on Google Earth to the east of Ieper.

Paul Reed · 03-04-2008, 08:01 AM

If it is Frezenberg, then it has probably gone as the track bed was redeveloped as a fast link road from Ypres to Zonnebeke, and connecting with the nearby A19 motorway.

02-04-2008, 07:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
Warlord Veteran wannabe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Land of Eternal Spring Posts: 216	Been looking for belgian armored trains all over the www, but have been able to find references only to those in WW1. Does anyone know what happened to them during the inter-war years? __________________ If I go forward, follow me; if I stop, hurry me; if I retreat, kill me. Guatemalan special forces motto Picture shows an Israeli Avia downing an Egyptian Spitfire in ´48. Guatemala gave the deciding vote at the UN that year for Israel to become a nation.

02-04-2008, 08:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 2,861	Excellent photos - thanks for posting. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

02-04-2008, 08:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
Warlord Veteran wannabe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Land of Eternal Spring Posts: 216	Yes, utterly interesting. Anything about the less "standard" aspects of war is welcome to enlighten us war expert wannabes. __________________ If I go forward, follow me; if I stop, hurry me; if I retreat, kill me. Guatemalan special forces motto Picture shows an Israeli Avia downing an Egyptian Spitfire in ´48. Guatemala gave the deciding vote at the UN that year for Israel to become a nation. Last edited by Warlord; 02-04-2008 at 08:19 PM. Reason: Rephrasing

02-04-2008, 09:21 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 629	Owen, there's one in particular - 'De Krijger' in Erpe-Mere (between Gent and Aaalst, just off the E40). I can't visit for just a few hours, I always lose a day. He also publishes lots of booklets about air losses over Belgium and WW1 cemeteries. :e Krijger:: Boekenwinkel Everything is in themed areas with second hand intermingled with new, as well as different languages.

02-04-2008, 09:59 PM	#18 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 2,861	The Ypres-Roulers line hasn't existed since the 60s, and I don't recognise that particular location as being close to Ypres. Part of the former railway line is now a road, and I know some houses have been demolished in places. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

02-04-2008, 07:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 629	These pictures are all taken from Peter Taghon's 'Mei 1940' with a few of his comments. I haven't checked any facts. E.&.O.E. Excuse the quality of this one which went across a page join. This view shows the line after the Germans had made a way through at a level crossing. Captioned only as 'between Frezenberg and Zilverberg'. Apparently the 3rd Lansiers only had 12 machine guns on this section. It seems to have been an anti-tank obstacle with no A/T guns so it could only have helped to delay. This image shows a view under a wagon. The gun is captioned as a WW1 Colt Model 1917 which were only issued to third-line divisions. A final picture showing two of the Belgian casualties close to the sleepers. The rifle is an 1889 Infantry model. I'll keep my eyes open for anything else. Rich

02-04-2008, 09:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,698	Thanks Rich. I think you need to take me around some Belgian bookshops.

02-04-2008, 09:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,698	Guess what I'm going to say now... anyone recognise exactly where the X-ing is? Paul? Can you do a "Now" next time you're over there? Arne, you live that way, can you pin-point it?

02-04-2008, 10:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
Rich Payne Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 629	Taghon says that it is close to Frezenberg and like Paul, I suspect it has disappeared now. I have walked along the track bed closer to Roeselare where they have made a cycle path out of it but I can't pick out the old line close to Ieper on current maps. It might be worth having a look on Google Earth to the east of Ieper.

03-04-2008, 08:01 AM	#20 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK/France Posts: 2,861	If it is Frezenberg, then it has probably gone as the track bed was redeveloped as a fast link road from Ypres to Zonnebeke, and connecting with the nearby A19 motorway. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

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