The Battlefield Explorer
@bfxpl.bsky.social
Battlefield guide for Operation Market Garden and beyond, interested in all things WWI and WWII.
Dragons teeth anti-tank obstacle of the German Westwall (or Siegfried line, as the allies called it). This defensive line was built in various stages between 1936 and 1940, each stage either thickening or extending the line.
December 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Dragons teeth anti-tank obstacle of the German Westwall (or Siegfried line, as the allies called it). This defensive line was built in various stages between 1936 and 1940, each stage either thickening or extending the line.
The start point of the battle of the bulge for the 277 Volks Grenadier Division. This is where it entered the Krinkelter Wald and Belgium at the same time. They were supposed to push through the 99th Division with ease but after 24 hours had achieved very little.
December 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
The start point of the battle of the bulge for the 277 Volks Grenadier Division. This is where it entered the Krinkelter Wald and Belgium at the same time. They were supposed to push through the 99th Division with ease but after 24 hours had achieved very little.
The angel of peace overlooks the Henri-Chapelle American cemetery. The final resting place of 7987 servicemen, many of whom were killed during the Battle of the Bulge which began today, 81 years ago.
December 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The angel of peace overlooks the Henri-Chapelle American cemetery. The final resting place of 7987 servicemen, many of whom were killed during the Battle of the Bulge which began today, 81 years ago.
Deep in the woods near Krinkelt and Rocherath we found this little memorial for Lt LO Holloway. He disappeared on the first day of the Battle of the Bulge and was MIA for decades. It wasn’t until 1990 that is remains were discovered at this location. He now rests in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
December 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Deep in the woods near Krinkelt and Rocherath we found this little memorial for Lt LO Holloway. He disappeared on the first day of the Battle of the Bulge and was MIA for decades. It wasn’t until 1990 that is remains were discovered at this location. He now rests in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The German PaK 40 anti-tank gun in Meyerode. Not something you see every day. Today we toured part of the Northern Shoulder focusing on the 106th Division and Kampfgruppe Peiper. The weather was exactly like 81 years ago, cold and fog so excellent for a tour.
December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The German PaK 40 anti-tank gun in Meyerode. Not something you see every day. Today we toured part of the Northern Shoulder focusing on the 106th Division and Kampfgruppe Peiper. The weather was exactly like 81 years ago, cold and fog so excellent for a tour.
In the Overloon war museum today to get another glimpse of this iconic trio. This time from above because believe it or not, you can ride your bike through this museum on a special bridge. (Only in the Netherlands).
December 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
In the Overloon war museum today to get another glimpse of this iconic trio. This time from above because believe it or not, you can ride your bike through this museum on a special bridge. (Only in the Netherlands).
Good morning from Bastogne! The beautiful Eagle statue guards the entrance to the Mardasson Memorial in the background. This memorial honours all American servicemen who took part in the Battle of the Bulge. Here today for a one day tour with a family from Singapore.
December 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Good morning from Bastogne! The beautiful Eagle statue guards the entrance to the Mardasson Memorial in the background. This memorial honours all American servicemen who took part in the Battle of the Bulge. Here today for a one day tour with a family from Singapore.
John Frost bridge by night! On a cold and wet afternoon we did a three hour Arnhem tour with a small Dutch Army group. We followed the 1st Airborne Division from the dropzone to the bridge, including the Recce ambush and the Utrechtseweg area.
November 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
John Frost bridge by night! On a cold and wet afternoon we did a three hour Arnhem tour with a small Dutch Army group. We followed the 1st Airborne Division from the dropzone to the bridge, including the Recce ambush and the Utrechtseweg area.
Good morning from New Orleans! Here to visit the National WWII Museum and see the beautiful artwork outside. Like this one, it’s called “The Mission” and depicts a group of Fighter Pilots who are being briefed before a mission. Stunning!
November 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Good morning from New Orleans! Here to visit the National WWII Museum and see the beautiful artwork outside. Like this one, it’s called “The Mission” and depicts a group of Fighter Pilots who are being briefed before a mission. Stunning!
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.