Europe

[monkla]

G'day everyone.

Ok, this maybe slightly off WiF subject (but not that far really). And I hope this isn't inapporpriate for the forum.

I'm planning a jaunt around Europe for 3 months later this year (travelling from Australia). Anyone out there recommend some good military sites worth visiting. I guess I know the more well known ones (the ones in Paris (mental blank on the name at the moment), Waterloo, Bovington Tank Museum, HMS Belfast, for some examples). I'll be visiting, England, France, Low Countries, Italy and Germany.

It's okay if you want to email me off the forum.

Thanks for any input.

Leigh

[Orm]

Maybe a trip to Normandie to visit the important places of operation Overlord?

And if you do visit Normandie I would recommend a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel as well. It might not qualify as a military site even though it was besieged by the English during the 100 year war.




Picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel from the south.

[Anendrue]

I lived in Bitburg Germany (1986-1993) just off the border with Luxembourg. There are a lot of caves and tunnels in the area, old gun emplacements etc..., if you are the off road adventurous type. Most of them were sealed up long ago. But it sure gives you a feel for the terrain and the fighting in Dec 1944 to the allied breakthrough. There are also many castles in the area almost anyehere along the Rhine river, that are always good for exploration. Other places in this area would be Porta Nigra in Trier an old Roman Gate and Wall. It's sheer massivenes imparts a good feel for the might and strangth of the Roman Empire.

IN SE Germany the Eagles Nest near Obersalzburg, Dachau (a very sobering reminder of what WWII was about) are worth visiting. Schloss Neuschwanstein is pretty neat too in the same area (although no battle was fought there).This is the castle Walt Disney used to create his Disneyland castle from. Vienna and Munich are then a hop skip and a jump away too. The area is a very beautiful place to see.


This link will give you a good idea of battlefields all over Europe.
http://www.battlefieldtours.co.uk/list.htm

These are for the items I mentioned above.
http://www.loreley-info.com/eng/rhein-rhine/castles.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachau_concentration_camp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kehlsteinhaus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Nigra

[brian brian]

If I ever make it to London I will head to the Imperial War Museum without a doubt...

[Plainian]

I usually try not to make flippant remarks in threads but this picture was pretty inspiring. I can see where they got the idea for the city Minas Tirith in the 3rd film Lord of the Rings.
Back on topic, I'd second a visit to the Imperial War Museum in London. I was there in 1975 pre micro chip days and it was brilliant then!

Ian

ORIGINAL: Orm
And if you do visit Normandie I would recommend a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel as well. It might not qualify as a military site even though it was besieged by the English during the 100 year war.

[Anendrue]

ORIGINAL: Plain Ian

I usually try not to make flippant remarks in threads but this picture was pretty inspiring. I can see where they got the idea for the city Minas Tirith in the 3rd film Lord of the Rings.
Back on topic, I'd second a visit to the Imperial War Museum in London. I was there in 1975 pre micro chip days and it was brilliant then!

Ian

ORIGINAL: Orm
And if you do visit Normandie I would recommend a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel as well. It might not qualify as a military site even though it was besieged by the English during the 100 year war.

I agree the Imperial War Museum was pretty good back in the 80's.

[MajorDude]

ORIGINAL: Plain Ian

I usually try not to make flippant remarks in threads but this picture was pretty inspiring. I can see where they got the idea for the city Minas Tirith in the 3rd film Lord of the Rings...

When the tide comes in, it becomes a real island - the only thing above water is the little strip of road. There are also numerous sink holes that will suck you down in a flash if you're not careful. [X(]

It is definitely a "must visit" if you are in the area - very cool winding path that goes all the way to the top, with lots of places to shop, eat, and sight see. [:)]

[Anendrue]

ORIGINAL: MajorDude

ORIGINAL: Plain Ian

I usually try not to make flippant remarks in threads but this picture was pretty inspiring. I can see where they got the idea for the city Minas Tirith in the 3rd film Lord of the Rings...

When the tide comes in, it becomes a real island - the only thing above water is the little strip of road. There are also numerous sink holes that will suck you down in a flash if you're not careful. [X(]

It is definitely a "must visit" if you are in the area - very cool winding path that goes all the way to the top, with lots of places to shop, eat, and sight see. [:)]

I wish I had gone there when I lived in Europe. Oh well - time for a visit again!

[Jimm]

If its not late a response...

recommend Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, York.

http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk/

Friendly aviation musuem on the site of former WW2 bomber base, operated by Free French squadrons. They have pretty much the only complete Handley Page Halifax in existence (apologies if mistaken, there may be one in Canada) plus some other really rare stuff, including a Victor V bomber and a Nimrod.

And York is a good spot to visit too!

Enjoy your trip.

Jimm

[dale1066]

I'd recommend the American Cemetary in Normandy

Brings home to you the cost paid by the men involved and that was only in normandy in 1944

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: dale1066

I'd recommend the American Cemetary in Normandy

Brings home to you the cost paid by the men involved and that was only in normandy in 1944

It is indeed a place one should visit.

I have been there twice and I recommend spending some time there in quiet contemplation.

And both times the inscription, "Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God", that was written on to many graves made me truly sad.



Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.