70th Anniversary Liberation Geel, Belgium
Comments
Wim van der LuijtGreat pictures. I always like seeing so much effort being put into keeping the memory of these events alive!
Günther DebiscopI had e fierious dicussion with some one today about the value of doing re-enactments of military actions such as WW2, WW1, battle of Waterloo etc. For him it is just a specticle, and you might just watch a movie, it has the same "value" for him... I do totally NOT agree with him.... History, the good and certainly the bas parts, just be kept vivid. Musea, exhibitions are good, but lack that kind of "involvement" for me. And movies, well they are mostly far to "Hollywood" and mostly have historical mistakes regarding vehicles, uniforms etc... Re-enacters spend a lot of time, and money in being as accurate as possible (keeping in mind some resctrictions in some countries). What is your opinion?
Wim van der LuijtMy take on this: If you get drawn to it for the action, then fine. If after that a number of the spectators decide they want to know more about it, then even better. You cannot force awareness of our past onto people. (sometimes I'd like to though) It worked in much the same way for me. I had always been drawn to military stuff as a kid and the historical context came later.
Album info
70 years ago, one of the fiercest battles of WW2 in Belgium took place at the "Gheel bridgehead". It occurred between September 8th and 23rd.
The units involved were the 50th (Nortumbrian) Division, the 15th (Scottish) Division Sherwood Rangers Zeomanry on the Allied side. On the Axis side there was the II. Fallschirmjäger Regiment "Freiherr von der Heydte" and the Panzerjäger Abteilung 559.
This year, the City of Geel celebrated the 70th anniversary of the liberation and remembered the fallen ones.
Here are some pictures of what was to be seen near my house and in the centre of the city. Please take note that all soldier are re-enactors.
The exposition showed several items found in the vicinity of the battle ground. All were dug up by a local historian.
There was also a small re-enactment of the battle at the canal, a few metres from my house.
The ships are from the Belgian Navy Cadets.