The Battlefield Explorer
@bfxpl.bsky.social
Battlefield guide for Operation Market Garden and beyond, interested in all things WWI and WWII.
The 1st Airborne memorial in Arnhem-West. Today I participated in a battlefield tour which was focused on the 11th Parachute Battalion. It was all but destroyed in this area and it was a sobering day of losses and bad decisions.
November 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The 1st Airborne memorial in Arnhem-West. Today I participated in a battlefield tour which was focused on the 11th Parachute Battalion. It was all but destroyed in this area and it was a sobering day of losses and bad decisions.
Today’s battlefield tour was all about the bridges! With four Americans on a wonderful day we visited the main sites of Operation Market Garden on a beautiful autumn day. This is the bridge at Nijmegen that was captured in a combined assault by the 82nd Airborne and the Guards Armoured division.
November 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Today’s battlefield tour was all about the bridges! With four Americans on a wonderful day we visited the main sites of Operation Market Garden on a beautiful autumn day. This is the bridge at Nijmegen that was captured in a combined assault by the 82nd Airborne and the Guards Armoured division.
A new 82nd Airborne memorial graces the roundabout outside Grave, at the former “de Elft crossroads”. On Sept 17th a misidentified German tank approached the E/504 and opens fire. Lieutenant Hanford A Files is killed by a sudden burst of machine gunfire that also wounded a number of other men.
November 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A new 82nd Airborne memorial graces the roundabout outside Grave, at the former “de Elft crossroads”. On Sept 17th a misidentified German tank approached the E/504 and opens fire. Lieutenant Hanford A Files is killed by a sudden burst of machine gunfire that also wounded a number of other men.
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.
October 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
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.
Reposted by The Battlefield Explorer
October 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
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!
October 16, 2025 at 12:41 PM
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.
October 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
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!
Thanks to @battlefieldgron for hosting me!
October 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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!
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.
October 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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.
October 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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
October 3, 2025 at 1:27 PM
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
October 1, 2025 at 9:20 AM
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
September 30, 2025 at 1:57 PM
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.
September 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM
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
September 28, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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.
September 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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.
September 21, 2025 at 9:41 AM
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.
September 19, 2025 at 1:40 PM
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
September 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
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
September 16, 2025 at 2:41 PM
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.
September 15, 2025 at 11:53 AM
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
September 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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
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
September 10, 2025 at 9:32 AM
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
September 9, 2025 at 8:43 AM
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
September 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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