Holiday Tour Part 3 : Overloon and Maastricht

After Market Garden we travelled south to Overloon and then down to Maastricht. Prior to the trip I wasn’t really aware of the battles which took place around Overloon late in 1944. However, as part of the planning I discovered there is a large military museum close to the town. Turns out the Overloon War Museum is a little like the British Imperial War Museum, focussing mainly on WW2 it has one of the largest collections I have seen. They also do tank displays on special days a little like Bovington.

A T34 in the woods, the museum was actually started in 1946 in these woods which saw quite intensive fighting as the Germans defended Overloon itself. There is quite a big section in the museum about the local battles. The museum collection is VERY extensive so Im only sharing a few photos to give people a taste 👍

Converted French/German tank

Wonderful collection of German Blitzkreig bicycles, showing all the variations of kit they carried

A very extensive weapon collection

Lots of tanks all with their own specific back story

Panther which I think was the first tank in the collection

Some slightly more modern military kit…….apparently these were used to transport tanks late Vietnam ?

Stug

German motorcycle collection

Lots more tanks each with a story

This one notable as all but one of the crew were killed , the survivor continued to visit the museum each year to commemorate his lost friends

Almost every piece of kit I could think of

A ‘full’ collection of ordinance including the ‘Dora’ shell on the right 

Just so much stuff…..you could easily visit this museum many times and not get bored. Highly recommended if you are visiting the Netherlands

We travelled south to Maastricht and a visit to Fort Eban-Emael. With a couple of options in this area we almost didn’t visit the Fort but I’m glad we did. A few of you will know the history of this fascinating fort, for those that don’t i believe it holds a unique place is in history. Built in the late 1930’s in Belgium close to the Dutch border, it was at the time the ‘state of the art’ defensive structure incorporating multiple design features to make it impregnable. Located close to the Albert canal it was built to prevent or at least delay any potential advance from the East.

The fort housed around 1200 Belgium frontier troops and gunners

All underground in a series of tunnels on two or three levels. 

Lots of massive gas proof doors to protect them

Multiple levels, mean lots of steps, and deep to prevent impact from any surface bombing

Some of the tunnels are sloped to allow the movement of kit around the fort. All of this eventually proved to be futile. In the early hours of 10th May 1940 the Fort was the first location to be attacked by the newly formed Fallschirmjager troops. In a night time glider assault 71 German paratroopers landed on the top of the fort, they knocked out the surface defenders and then spent about 12 hours knocking out the defences before the defenders were forced to surrender.

One of the most interesting aspects of the fort is you can see the evidence on the ground of the battle and the assault took place. The doors above were blasted off in the final underground attack, causing chlorine gas to leak from the toilets and causing the defenders to surrender.

Put together from a number of different wrecked gliders the museum in the fort has a German glider

Lots of photo evidence of the attack as after the event the Germans used the successful  assault for extensive propaganda

An interesting museum with Belgium and German artefacts 

As well as visiting underground you can tour the exterior of the fort which consists of numerous gun emplacements, observation posts and various gun turrets

Particularly interesting is you can see where the Germans placed their shaped charges to take out each of the observation posts or bunkers

The fort has a built in tank defence on one side

The central turret which originally rotated with twin 120mm guns. Again you can see where the shared charge was placed, just above the left port on the picture

Finally the Germans took out each bunker, the big circular hole shows where the shaped charge was placed. One can only imagine how terrifying this would have been, the walls are about 3 feet thick and the charges create a hole big enough for a man to climb through ! All in all it is a fascinating place to visit.

We also visited Maastricht where there is an earlier 18th Century Fort, although we didn’t have time to go inside.

Town walls

And the medieval Helport gates

That’s it for now thanks for checking in, some games and figures to share next

Matt

Shenandoah Valley Campaign : Battle of McDowell

We played the second battle in our Shenandoah Campaign last weekend the Battle of McDowell. Jackson was pushing his forces forward to attempt to outflank the Union army and cut them off. The battle developed piecemeal when Milroy rather than holding the Union defensive position decided to chase off what he thought were Confederate skirmishers taking up position on Stilington Hill. In fact they turned out to be Scott’s Brigade. Both sides then fed more troops into the battle until lack of ammunition and darkness forced Jackson to pull back. Due to the difficult terrain Jackson didn’t deploy any artillery in case it was lost in the battle. The Union artillery located on high ground over the river was generally ineffective due to the relative heights involved.

One of the many maps of the battle available

Converted onto the table top. We played on a 8x5 table. The Union troops are all deployed on the battlefield at the start except for the small detachment of Cavalry who will arrive turn 3. McLean’s small Brigade are already across the river heading for the high ground. The Confederates only have Scott’s brigade at the start but they are already holding the main high. The other 3 confederate brigades will arrive on turns 2, 4 and 6 but requiring a dice roll to activate them.  Rules in play are our home brewed Bolt Action. The only extra detail was the Union artillery would be at a minus 1 due to the height differential. The Union objective is to take the hill, the confederates must stop them and if possible push at least one unit across the river ? Onto the action….

The village of McDowell with Lee’s Brigade marching towards the battle

Confederates now holding the high ground overlooking the river

McLean’s bridage is pushed across the river and start to push up the hill. Both sides open up volleys of musket fire

The confederates have the advantage of the high ground giving them cover, but in the distance they are being outflanked !

No hanging about the Union General pushes forward, although the initial assault has been held back

Union troops from McLean and Milroy’s brigade assault up the hill forcing hand to hand combat

Thankfully Confederate reserves start to arrive Connor’s Brigade and they turn to prevent the hill being outflanked

And then Taliaferro’s Veterans arrive down the road, things are now in the balance.

On top of the Hill the battle is fierce hand to hand fighting

The confederates have held the out flanking move along the Turnpike

More Union troops thrown into the combat but they can’t break through

The Union Lyon cavalry have made their way to the confederate left flank in the trees.

The second assault has been thrown back but the Union forces are regrouping

Union artillery continue to fire on the hill but with limited impact

A third assault goes in, and the extra numbers are starting to tell the confederate line is breaking down, the Confederates have one more brigade of reserves to arrive. Anything but a 1 or 2 and they will have enough forces to hold the position 

You guessed it !

This gives the Federals the advantage for one more turn and the confederates suddenly start to break 

Facing Union forces from two directions the defence is getting very shaky

Outnumbered the final confederates on the hill are overwhelmed

The final position, the Union troops have taken their objective and destroyed at least two confederate brigades. We closed the battle here the reserves arrived one turn too late. Despite the fierce fighting only one Union brigade has been knocked out. A great battle in the balance for quite a while, but the Union forces played really well regrouping at a critical point before pushing the attack.

After two battles the Federals have a clear lead.

Those interested in cycling will know that the world championships are being held in Scotland, this was too good an opportunity to miss so I headed up-to Glasgow to watch the Elite men’s road race. Huge crowds and a very enjoyable day out.

Tadej Pogacar in the early chase group

Matheu Van der Poel on his finally winning lap. Seeing the race close up makes you realise how strong these guys are, super impressive !

That’s it for now, another holiday post next and a weekend gaming Vietnam

Matt