Battle Of The Bulge: Then & Now BASTOGNE AND FOY

Bastogne and Foy are at the heart of the Battle of the Bulge Story.
Thanks to some iconic original wartime photos I have been able to trace the locations in Bastogne and Foy once occupied by the men of the 101s Airborne Division and find out what they look like in 2023!
#ww2 #thenandnow #wehrmacht #wwii #usarmy #ww2tanks #historydocumentary #bastogne #bandofbrothers #easycompany #506thpir #506th #101stairborne
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[@EvinMA]

Never stop providing these glances into the past. Very interesting and a valuable lesson.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It’s great to be able to share it with so many people and there’s lots more lined up for this year and beyond so thank you for your support, it means a lot!

[@jimknight2041]

One of the reason why I look at these pictures of bastogne and at the Battle of the Bulge. My late grandfather was a bodyguard for Gen Patton and I like trying to look for him, he may have been at that pizza place to help out guarding the other General the picture went by so fast I couldn't tell .

[@bobleicht5295]

Excellent content; keep 'em coming! Two cmts about Bastogne: 1) the McAuliffe Square Sherman - marked as 11th Arm Div/41 Tank Bn/B-6 - was mis-dentified for decades until a history buff found a serial number on the hull and properly ID'd it. Dad served in the 11th Armored, which was committed to combat on 30 Dec 44 SW of Bastogne, where B-6 was destroyed; it shows an 88mm penetration on the left side, and what I presume to be a Panzerfaust hit on the rear deck. Three crewmen were killed, and two captured by the Germans. Postwar, the man on whose land the hulk sat refused offers by salvagers and donated it to the town as a memorial. 2) When we took Dad back to Europe to re-trace his unit's path, we stayed in Bastogne after touring the area. As we sat in the hotel bar that evening, one of our party walked in with a man I had soldiered with in Korea 30 years before. Pete was accompanying a Vietnamese friend on about the same battlefield itinerary as our. Figure the odds - that town, that hotel, that day!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow that’s incredible!!!! I bet that made a memorable trip even better!!!

[@33rdusa]

You do an amazing job as i all your videos. You help keep the memories alive of the men who fought. My tour group went to Bastogne a few years ago and I went up on the big memorial. I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, home of the 101st, in 1970 though I wasn't in that unit. They have a museum there dedicated to the 101st and have a period Bastogne city marker sign as well as other items from the battle.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Jack, it’s greatly appreciated and thank you for your service. Bastogne is such an amazing town isn’t it?! You’d love the new 101st museum that’s right in the heart of the town just a couple of streets away from McAuliffe Square. They have some of General Patton’s uniforms and other items as well as a huge range of airborne equipment and artefacts!

[@zcam1969]

it was heavy snow there in dec 1944 , my dad was there. US Army 82nd airborne. i wish he was still alive to see these video .he would thank you !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

If you have the time I filmed at Trois Points where the 505th PIR of the 82nd Airborne were heavily engaged during the Battle of the Bulge.

[@zcam1969]

@@WW2Wayfinder thank i am going look at that film . most people only hear about the 101st Airborne at that Battle

[@Attack-SineMetu]

Bastogne - my all time favorite WWII historic site. Great place to visit, especially during the annual NUTS celebration every December. So much history and the reenactors with all their WWII vehicles adds to the effect and mystique of the place. Can’t wait to go there again. Rendezvous With Destiny!!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s a great place isn’t it! Highly recommend the 101st Airborne Museum in the heart of the town if you haven’t been yet. It’s excellent!

[@golfberg1]

Normandy for me. I spent 12 hrs there and never made it to Utah.

[@jrr0863]

Without a doubt, you have the best channel dealing with this subject. Thank you for what you do.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@paulbowers1040]

I’ve lost words that can acutely solidify how amazing it is to see these then and nows The commentary is so good and incredibly accurate. Keep it up sir. I wait for new episodes to drop. Bless you

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! I’ve got a 2 part special from Normandy looking at Then and Now’s that have never been seen on YT before. Should be out in a week or two!

[@paulbowers1040]

@ oh yes!!!!!! Please alert when put up

[@robkeeley3823]

Great job finding those locations

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@junepeyer1200]

Great then and now comparisons!!!! Visited Bastogne/ Foy when my husband and I were stationed in Germany! Never got to see the Foxholes in the forest though…🙁 …keep up the awesome vids!!!!❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you June, glad you enjoyed it! Great to hear you’ve been there yourself so hope it brought back some good memories!

[@PTSDiy]

Your videos are the best, lots of information and no fluff. I’ve been binging them while laid up. Thank you.

[@dale1956ties]

Thank you for this from a new sub. You provide an incredibly important service honoring the greatest generation and providing these glimpses into the past. Heartfelt appreciation here.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and welcome to the channel! This period of history has always been incredibly important to me as the grandson of a D-Day veteran, what that generation achieved has always been of the utmost importance to me.

[@dale1956ties]

@@WW2Wayfinder Thanks and keep up the great work. My dad was a WWII vet as were the dads of almost every other kid my age. None of them ever talked about it though which seems to be pretty much universal among the vets of that era. Love the channel. Thanks again.

[@XavierKing1956]

WW2 Wayfinder thank you for sharing !!! 🙏👌🙏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@ncwoodworker]

Love the now and then. When visiting Foy with Reg Jens several years ago he had a photo of Winters and Sink talking in the street of Foy. Found that very interesting. Thanks for your video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Glad you’ve been able to visit the area and see the places first hand!

[@ArturoZet]

I was there few weeks ago at same points as you, it is amaizing to be there in this places with so great history

[@petervanravensteijn8392]

I really enjoyed the details and the photos (I’ve never seen)! Exactly the places I visited last week. It’s nice to drive around Bastogne through the little towns and find out what happened in these places. It’s fascinating, the area in the north (Foy, Noville) with the German cemetery and knowing what happened in the battle of Noville with Desobry/Laprade and the withdrawal to Foy. When you drive the road between Noville and Foy and imagine the attack on the convoy by 2nd panzer.

[@kevgoeswandering8488]

absolutely one of the best historians on you tube without doubt , thank you sir , you really are fantastic

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Very kind of you to say so! I just love sharing these places and the history with everyone and anyone who will listen! Thanks again for your support, it means a lot!

[@JasperJokerII]

I can't get enough of these videos

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! This weeks (out on Friday) is all about the Falaise Pocket in Normandy in August 1944!

[@TribeTaz]

This video was amazing. So cool you were able to find all these places

[@jasonmaccoul]

Hands down the best WW2 historian! You have the best job ever. 🎖️

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Just my hobby at the moment but one day I’d like it to be my job! Certainly far more interesting than the 9-5 at the moment!!!

[@paulstewart6364]

Absolutely love your videos We are booked on for a Bastogne trip including Luxembourg then onto Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D Day landings would love to meet up if you’re over in 2024

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ll be there, got a fairly busy schedule but I’ll be at all the major spots throughout the week!

[@andrewwood6285]

Thanks for bringing this piece of history to those of us that may never be able to see this otherwise.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ianinvancouverbc]

IMHO that lower battle damage on the [sniper] building in Foy is the result of a firing squad. Some local [I suspect] was shot there, given there is some small memorial , someone locally has not forgotten what went on at that spot all those years ago

[@vincentadams9569]

OMG BASTOGNE doesn’t even resemble what I remember it looking 17 years or when I was first there 38 Years ago!!! I am so GLAD I got to see much of the OLD WORLD!! Today a Sign that says TACOS in the Place Du McCulif!! WOW!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s changed a lot since my first visit in 2006 and sadly not for the better! Fortunately there are still lots of other very interesting places in that region to visit that haven’t had the ww2 Disney land treatment yet which is nice. Now if I visit Bastogne it’s a quick stop while I’m passing through to somewhere else!

[@vincentadams9569]

@@WW2Wayfinder Yes as a 61 year old AMERICAN I fear that most WE ARE THE BIGGEST CULPRITS in turning Everything into a DISNEY CORPORATE WASTELAND Especially things and places that were once GREAT AND HISTORIC!! This has even happened to a once vibrant NYC neighborhood LITTLE ITALY 🇮🇹 now a 1 block strip of overpriced horrible food served and cooked by illegal immigrates from Central America and Everyone pretending to be a Gangster or an Italian it’s a DISASTER AND A JOKE WHAT CORPORATE AMERICA AND OUR GOVERNMENT HAVE DESTROYED!! I am so ashamed anymore of this COUNTRY

[@paulwhalen4311]

Bastonge was without a doubt the greatest stand in history thank you all of you soldiers who fought for our freedom

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Actually the stand in the northern part of the Bulge was more important.

[@paulbfields8284]

Where the 28th Infantry was standing.. wow.. that one would definitely have eluded me more than “minutes”… good eye.. I’m captured by this series you are presenting. Having been an amateur photographer, that side of me is also titillated.. if I were there walking with you I would feel it in my bones and be very emotional inside knowing I’m standing in this place where the past/present are United. Having been a WW2 buff most of my 67 years… I find this KZbin presentation to be now one of my favorites.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The 28th ID as a tough one and it wasn’t until I’d walked past it twice that I turned around and realised I’d been right next to it! It’s always a thrill to find these places, some of which I’ve been to many time before and others for the first time and each time the excitement is the same, to know it’s right there where these incredible moments in our world history were captured! And I’m very grateful to be able to share them too. Bastogne is a great town to visit and the events that happened there so many years ago are not forgotten by the locals! And I hope to have a new Then and Now episode out tomorrow hopefully so keep an eye out for that!

[@echohunter4199]

Sir, I’m a 58 year old retired US Army Infantryman and served 26 years on Active Duty. During my time in uniform I was stationed in Baumholder, Germany and I visited Bastogne each year and often a few times a year for other interests in Belgium. Like many here, I appreciate military history, especially when my old unit (2/502 INF, 101st ABN) participated in the battle and I always dreamed of visiting the battlefield after learning our story when I was a new Soldier. I was there from 2002-07 (except for the 15 months I was in Iraq in 2003-04) and I was in a WWII living history group made up of other Soldiers from the base and we all wore period uniforms. We all had combat experience so we could connect with what happened there and we all considered ourselves naval lint in comparison to what those men dealt with. If there’s ever a way for you to go over there before your health starts to slow you down, I hope you can make it over there. The Belgian people are taught about what we did for Belgium during the war and they love real Americans, they treated us like rock stars because they found out we’re actual American Soldiers and they swamped us! We just didn’t know how to respond since we never expected it. If you can go there on 16-18 December of the year, that’s when they have the city wide anniversary event and they have a bunch of things going on. They have tank convoys, mock battle with actual German vehicles (this was done in Bertogne, just outside of Bastogne) and blank firing weapons, a couple of our men participated and had a great time since we just did what we’re trained as Infantrymen, not much has changed over the decades. It’ll be difficult to find a place to sleep BUT, there are a few places that allow visitors and reenactors to set up a cot and sleep. We used the Bastogne exhibition building and they had coffee for us in the morning. The Belgians will also open their homes to help so if you can meet someone online in Bastogne, they’ll gladly help or open a room for you. The Belgian Military Vehicle Trust is there every year and in 2004 they paid for the transport of our operational M4A3 76W Sherman tank and a Halftrack and let us sleep there. Contact them online and ask if it’s possible to have a place to sleep, tell them SFC Kevin DeVos advised you, they likely won’t remember me since it’s been a while since I left Germany (2007). But watch out for the Trappist beer in Belgium! It is strong as they come! The beer is delicious but after your third one, you won’t be able to spell your own name correctly three times in a row! Other young men in our group hit a couple bars downtown and people bought all their drinks all night long and they got hammered, Lol. We woke up early around 0530 and did our cold weather starting procedures and we have to hand crank the radial engine on the tank 50 times before starting it otherwise the oil in the bottom cylinders will be too much and cause a hydraulic lock and bend all the rods in about 3 cylinders and we can’t have that since I’m signed for the damned things. Maybe you could just rent a small van or something you can comfortably sleep in with a sleeping bag, that might work the best but, gasoline in Western Europe is about $10 USD per gallon! So rent a 4 cylinder, lol. If you need medication for some reason, just go to any pharmacy and ask for the medication, you usually don’t need a prescription to get what you need. And bring a good Goretex jacket and pants since the wind may kick up and the cold there is made worse by high humidity and it’ll be mostly overcast that time of year. Well, I hope this helps and I pray you can make it over there. And if you stay a few days longer, you can visit other battlefields. Your US drivers license is all you need to drive a vehicle there and the insurance is factored into the rental cost.

[@paulb1034]

An interesting vlog, General George Paton and his 3rd Army deserve a mention here, upon hearing of the break through, he quickly saw from the map that Bastogne was key to holding the German advance back. Without orders, he mobilised parts of his 3rd Army who were resting in France having pushed the Germans out of Metz and Nancy during October and November 1944 and put them on the road to Arlon in Belgium. From this staging point they headed due North for 40km to Bastogne, they started to encounter Germans along the bottom edge of the bulge at Martelange still some 20km short of Bastogne but still managed to fight their way into the besieged town.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

If you have time, take a look at my video about Operation Repulse and the resupply mission of Bastogne during the siege. General Patton and his 4th Armored get a good mention😉 It’s in the Battle of the Bulge playlist on here, hope you enjoy it

[@pm-bg9mu]

Amazing videos I'm so hooked , your knowledge is top of the board, and so interested in how you get hold of these pictures Keep up the good work

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It’s been a passion of mine for years so nice to be able to share it with so many likeminded folk. I’ve also got lots more Battle of the Bulge episodes to come over the next few weeks interspersed with some other less well known stories from the war!

[@tedboone5738]

I just got back to the US, i watched alot of your video's before I got there. I seen alot of what you show in your video's. Thanks for making them please continue to , I plan to return soon to see more history

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh fantastic! Hope you had a great trip? I’ve got a Bastogne episode coming out in the next 3/4 weeks about the resupply missions in the town and another about the 82nd Airborne in the Ardennes plus lots more planned!

[@timmermansj1300]

Allways welcome back to Belgium 🇧🇪

[@tomjones2202]

Thanks for sharing these places. I hope the buildings at the end of the video by the church can be saved. I looked at them on Google Earth and they are starting to fall into disrepair... It will be a great loss if they can't be saved.

[@ducatiboy6668]

Ive just recently found your channel and now im hooked well presented and very well researched please keep them coming i need my passion fed👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Lots more to come you’ll be pleased to hear! Just trying to fit it all in!!!

[@franktaylor2452]

Always enjoy your videos and the passion you put into them.Thank you

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Frank it’s really kind of you to say that! I’m busy getting ready for Normandy now so lots more to come over the summer with a few surprises thrown in!

[@darthmong7196]

Fans of Band of Brothers will no doubt recognise the church - showing what a splendid job the art department did to recreate it in Hatfield. However the aid station wasn't in the church,. It was down Rue de Neufchateau where the Cite Wok stands today.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They did an amazing job at replicating it, and the same with Carentan square in Episode 3! And yes you’re correct and the 2 nurses never met each other either.

[@Padoinky]

This was a very interesting episode - the historical then/now is a meaningful and enlightening aspect of the “circle of life” that we all experience

[@barttimmerman6077]

Excellent videos, thank you for sharing!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. Thanks for watching

[@douala3769]

Fascinating man...keep up this interesting work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@mariofigueroa4449]

Newly subscribed and I can't stop watching these videos great content

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and welcome aboard 😃

[@Cinemaphile7783]

8:42 The spot where L. T. Ronald Spiers started his miracle run through the German-occupied town of Foy... twice. 🙏

[@echohunter4199]

Sir, I’ve gone through the comments on this video and I can tell many people would love to visit the Bastogne area. Would you be able to make a short video on how the annual anniversary works? Most would be going there without any local support so they’re apprehensive about going if they don’t know where they’ll be sleeping at. And maybe a bit of the history behind the Bastogne anniversary events such as, when they started doing this, what various groups participate, what’s the average amount of WWII vehicles at the events, is there a big language barrier and some options on possibly staying at the Bastogne expo building. And maybe highlight the 2004 anniversary when they shut off all the power in Bastogne for the night convoy and added in battlefield sounds via a network of large speakers set up around the city along with searchlights scanning the night sky, when I saw all that it made the hair on my neck stand up, same for many of the volunteers which were also US Soldiers. I know they now host mock battles with German reenactors and they do a great job at it. Folks might also like to know the circumstances surrounding the 10th Armored Division, did the 10th armored get stuck there, were they sent there to assist the 101st? Would the 101st been able to fight off the Germans without the 10th? And were there other units trapped there that aided the 101st on a large scale? Thanks again for the great work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks for watching! The information regarding anniversary visits to Normandy, Bastogne etc will be on my Patreon along with lots of other info. I’ll also be back in Belgium this winter so keep an eye out for more content on the 10th Armored and some lesser known units that fought in defence of the town!

[@echohunter4199]

@@WW2Wayfinder that would be great! Thanks! A while back I saw an old American TV show that highlighted different units and what they did during WWII, it was made around 1960 or so and one episode discussed the 10th “Tiger Division” and even the 2 combat teams (Team Cherry) and the interviewer spoke with the OIC of the Combat Team, was pretty insightful. And we’ve all seen those old war reels of Sherman tanks sliding all over the frozen roads and men had to lay board in front of the track to gain some traction, imagine that’s how you had to maneuver to get to an enemy penetration! If time and funds permit, buy or borrow a WWII uniform and speak with someone with the BMVT (private Belgian military vehicle owners club, nice people.) and ask if you can ride on one of the vehicles, I’m sure they’d be glad to. So many amazing aspects of the War and how it’s affected us up to today to where in some instances it’s like a holiday trek or pilgrimage to visit Bastogne. In 2002 I bought my uniform and as you’d call “kit” from At The Front dot com but there’s a lot of other vendors out there now. If you’ve been to the Ciney militaria shows then I’m sure you know about all this. There’s a small but incredible museum in a small town in Luxembourg and the church tower still has all the machine gun damage, looked like 50 cal and 30-06 impacts to me. The museum is sort of hidden, the only hint is an M4A3E8 near the street, it looks like a German supply depot that was recently abandoned, it’s stuffed with amazing pieces! Apologies though since I don’t recall the town name it’s in. The Sinsheim museum was a thrill, I pumped a lot of coins in that Panther display control box playing with the tracks and turret, I doubt it’s still there.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Are you reading my mind?😉 I’m planning on dragging out my collection over time to feature in my videos and know At The Front, SMWholesale and WWII Impressions well, having spent a small sun of cash worth them all!

[@echohunter4199]

@@WW2Wayfinder lol! My family and I arrived at Baumholder in November of 2002 and after my first Bastogne visit, I knew what I wanted to do so, a couple of my Dutch friends I already knew pointed me to where to look. My complete 101st M42 uniform with proper airborne boots cost me around $1,400 back then and the prices are over double that today! And back then ebay was still a great place to score deals and the shipping to my APO post Office box made shipping costs dirt cheap. What I enjoyed was the weapon deactivation laws in Western Europe where they don’t destroy or damage the weapon receiver! Over here we can buy a new M1 Thompson barrel and bolt for around $450 and swap out the demilled barrel and bolt and we’re in business! Yes, I brought back a couple toys. I should’ve bought a .50 cal I saw at Ciney in 2005 that was selling for 1,500 euros which is giving it away price! It’d take all of 5 minutes to have it back in action with new parts! I left Germany in 2007 and by then I had earned the respect of the base civilian employees and the director of the base and once he gave me his blessing o conduct the WWII living history events on the base, every door opened, I wasn’t expecting this so I was a bit stunned how helpful they were. So when the day came to pack up my household goods the customs inspectors saw everything and said “good to go SFC DeVos” and I was 5,000lbs over my weight limit which was all military gear I had bought and traded for while there but I was never charged for the additional weight which I was grateful for. I never did shady deals or steal government property since it was simple to find things little by little. I miss my European friends dearly, it hit me hard when I landed here in Texas. One of my friend is Patrick Stoll, he does amazing German and now American military vehicle restoration work, you saw him and his vehicles in the movie “Valkyrie” where he’s driving one of his motorcycles, it was weird seeing his big mug on the movie screen. He used to have his home and shop in St. Wendel but moved to Bavaria a few years back. He’s very involved with studio productions/film work so use my name if ou ever want o speak with him, he’s a very serious man and doesn’t smile much until you get a few beers in him, lol. He was a fallshirmjaeger in the Bundeswher back in the 80’s-90’s and it shows, I think he’s in his mid 50’s now and his son joined the German Navy a few years ago and his wife is a nice Hungarian lady. I know the people I know over there would gladly give you time if you ever asked but I’m guessing you might know quite a few already. Oh, one thing you MUST do is go to the annual German military vehicle meet that’s up by Koblenz, they occupy a huge area and set up camps for around a week and drive their vehicles all around the place, that’s where I rode on a Kettenkrad one time, kind of interesting. There’ll be a lot of heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles there and the owners don’t mind you nosing around if you’re polite. I don’t know who exactly sets these events up but I could find out for you if needed. I understand that it would be a long drive/trip to go to the eastern parts of Germany to explore past events there but the interesting part is that they’re slow to repair and rebuild the damage from the war so in some poorer areas you’ll still see obvious damage. And many historians stay in Western Europe on their documentaries so probing into other places is something more rare. War is a very stressful environment, no doubt. After time things start grinding on your mind and it’s a constant struggle to tune out the rage and seem steady on the outside. Darkness will also add to stress since every shadow may be an enemy soldier trying to kill them. I mention this because most people can’t quite see what we go through, we can’t run away, we’re in the Army so we have to rely on the man next to us so if they turn weak and freak out, it’ll likely get me killed since he’s now ineffective. So many thoughts bounce through a Grunt’s mind during a battle and each man knew what his likelihood of death was given what job he had so that’s often why we get pissed at rear echelon personnel when they disrespect us or play games with our critical needs. At the risk of sounding dramatic, we basically accepted that we were dead men walking long ago, we all chose our job when we joined so we take stock in the training and our confidence to do our job well. I’ve only faced circumstances that were similar to what happened in Bastogne twice and it wasn’t fun. Most old Grunts are amazed they’re still alive since we often don’t think in terms of long range goals, we have to re-learn that line of thinking. Well, enough rambling for today, lol. Just trying to lay out what I know the best way possible.

[@gparry42]

Wonderful video, thankyou very much !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Bastogne is such a special place so it was great to be able to track down those locations and document them.

[@nails3394]

Really well made ...thankyou.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@nails3394 thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Bastogne even after 80 years is crammed full of historical buildings and locations!

[@johnnyk6666]

Your work is fantastic !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much!

[@Tzalwelgoedzijn]

Ill was here yesterday and in Jack woods. Its a verry calm and peacefull place..

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s a wonderful part of Belgium to visit!

[@matthewwilkes8054]

Hey Jon you know I'm late too your channel but I love it ... Do u do this Chanel full time or do I also have a job

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Just a hobby at the moment, but one I’m passionate about and want to eventually turn into my job if I can. My day job is full beyond belief!

[@alantoon5708]

"A man that eloquent deserves to be saved..." General George S. Patton speaking about BG McAuliffe.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

McAuliffe was exactly the right man for the job when it came to the defence of Bastogne especially with his knowledge of artillery and his limited resources!

[@alinapepe9748]

My family and I have been to Bastogne and Foy twice, what an experience.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Its a fantastic place to visit isn't it.

[@alinapepe9748]

@@WW2Wayfinder to be there, where such brave men stood and fought, I hope their sacrifices are never forgotten.

[@flyingtigerline]

Really good !!! Thanks.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@scottlakey1136]

Another top video mate.i was in the exactly the same places as yourself in june.great to see the pictures then and now.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! And great that you’ve been to Bastogne and seen those places for yourself too!

[@billotto602]

I wish I could visit these places. I love the videos you put out. Thank-you very much ❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Bill, it’s really appreciated! Always happy to help with travel recommendations for Europe if you need it when it comes to visiting these places😀

[@michaelperkins5746]

BRILLIANT

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@pauldietz1325]

"Night shop" is a Belgian pseudo-anglicism meaning a convenience store, a bodega.

[@Ryanboy2020]

It's kind of a bummer that all of the places that U.S. service members fought and died for are so far away from the U.S. that the average American will never see these places that we sacrificed so much for in the name of freedom. It says a lot and is a testament to this great country of ours that we sent our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines half way around the world to liberate another country from tyranny and oppression. Most Americans will never see Normandy, Bastogne, Guadacanal or Iwo Jima, yet they are forever embedded in the history of the United States of Ameirca.

[@Bustergonad9649]

Think yourself lucky no one wants to or can invade the US.

[@amaffmaheidschannel-rc6re]

Most Americans will never see these places because they don’t have a passport, and the vast majority of Americans have very little knowledge of world history.

[@little.tricks]

More like it's kind of a bummer that Americans are not interested in traveling abroad or world history. They're too busy traveling around the US.

[@sugarkane4830]

you do know Hitler declared war on the US don’t you?

[@seattlewa8500]

@@amaffmaheidschannel-rc6reThe majority of Americans are not as ignorant as you.

[@alirezamahmoodii8014]

very interesting thank you for making this video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@herefordshireregimentalmus8771]

Wonderful work yet again 💪🏻💪🏻

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate!

[@danielpomeroy]

Awesome video. I've ate at at the pizzaria.

[@vincentadams9569]

Was a Souvenir Shop Just 17 Years ago!!

[@timcannell6313]

Great videos. My father was a RA 25lb gunner in NWE and the Battle of the Bulge from Dec 44 till VE day. I plan to visit Bastogne and also Groesbeek. Any hotel/tour recommnedations ?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! For hotels in the area, I’d recommend using booking.com and try and find self catering as it’s usually better value and lots around that area. There’s youth hostels and hotels though too depending on budget. Hope you have a great trip and please let me know if you need any further recommendations!

[@richardsteele6776]

Very well done.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@watchthetriple8224]

What a time. I can only dream to ever see those sites.

[@analystanalyst7652]

Sadly, Bastogne has changed dramatically since I was there in 1968. The lights and advertising on the buildings did not exist and it was much as it was near the end of the war, except the gutted buildings had been rebuilt. The Nuts Museum was on the second floor of the rebuilt building to the left of the big hamburger in your shot from the square, at least that’s what I recall, and it was two rooms of items left behind. I don’t know if the bust of McAuliffe is still near the Sherman in the square as it was not in your footage. I also remember a round through the left side armor of the Sherman in the square, just aft of the turret. The town always seemed to smell of smoked sausage in the cold night air. Time marches on, I guess.

[@marklettow6610]

I will include an additional note about the Pizzeria shown near the square in Bastogne. At the time of the war I understand that it was a hardware store owned by the parents of the young nurse who worked so hard in the bombed out church to save lives of wounded soldiers. The nurse is depicted in the Band of Brothers as the one who gave the chocolate bar to the young Army medic. There is a marker in the City Square about that young nurse. She was killed rescuing patients from the hospital after enemy bombing or shelling. Earlier this year on a Stephen Ambrose Historical Tour my wife and I had pizza above the doorway of the Pizzeria with the big second floor window open.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sounds like you had a fantastic tour! The nurse was Renee Lamaire but wasn’t aware of the connection to the pizza shop and her family, thank you for that!

[@javierquirozquirozmeneses4871]

Gracias por compartir estas fotos y parte de la historia y que no se repita más estos temas en el mundo!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@phillippesmith2924]

Brilliant

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@georgeallen4495]

Great content.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jeffbeaver4419]

My son and I are scheduled to take the Stephen Ambrose Band of Brothers 2 week tour in July. Looking forward to visiting Bastogne and Foy. My uncle was with a mortar crew in St Vith and was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Fantastic! You'll have a wonderful time on that. I have often seen the Ambrose tour buses in Normandy and I know someone who used to be a tour guide for them and they loved it! Bastogne and Foy are great places to visit. Sadly St Vith was so heavily damaged during the fighting there that it no longer resembles it's pre-war state but I hope you're able to visit there as well. Was your Uncle with the 7th Armored by any chance?

[@ElMundoDeDiegote]

Amazing job!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardyoder3646]

Another outstanding video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@alvintarrer6914]

Thank you sir 👍☕️☕️✌️

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@bernardmcmahon351]

Very interesting, thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! I need to go back and do another version as I’ve found more photos from the town!

[@victorhorvat1386]

Outstanding !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Many thanks!

[@flitsertheo]

5:09 Night shops are open in the evening and early night only. Because most Belgian shops close rather early, usually at 6 PM.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Ah that’s good to know! Thank you for the explanation!!

[@brianford8493]

Brilliant just brilliant mate

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jackraven2854]

J'ai habité à 12 km de Bastogne. Je connais très bien la ville, même si je n'y suis plus retourné depuis 20 ans. Et je dois dire que j'ai parfois du mal à reconnaitre certains endroits tant ils ont changé.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Must be incredible to live in that region with all that history on your doorstep! 😃

[@richardmardis2492]

Thanks for doing the leg work- I’d love to be in your shoes👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Richard. It’s a very fortunate opportunity I’ve got at the moment so trying to make the most of it!

[@timmermansj1300]

Been few times to Bastogne. Last time few weeks ago, Nuts weekend 80 year anniversary 😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Fantastic! Hope you had a great time their for the Nuts Weekend!

[@mnblkjh6757]

Cool and thank you for your 3D history 👍🙂

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@christopherbentley5216]

Excellent.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@maryannallen9885]

Thank you for still caring about what America did for Europe almost 80 years ago😢

[@timothyfinn905]

may you live in interesting times,i suppose we all do.

[@martinuhr6760]

in 2 days i am there!!!!! Finally!!!! A Dream comes true!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Fantastic!!!! Hope you have a wonderful trip! If you can make sure you visit the excellent 101st Museum in the heart of Bastogne, it’s just off McAuliffe Square!

[@martinuhr6760]

@@WW2Wayfinder thank you lad! I will post here, how my impression was...which museum do you recome? Which is the best?

[@nimitz1739]

Good stuff

[@Замир-ь1ю]

Спасибо бро

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@vmestegivem]

Смотрю и вспоминаю фильм "Братья по оружию" Там как раз есть серии посвященные событиям в этой местности.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh thanks for that, I’ll see if I can find those episodes, thank you!

[@vmestegivem]

@@WW2Wayfinder по немного изучаю события тех лет благодаря вашим роликам. Спасибо вам.

[@yannibcommando]

Very touching

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Paul_de_kent]

Where can I get these photos you have please as I’m going in a couple of weekends time for nuts weekend

[@jeffbaxter8770]

Great program❤ south africa

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@l00t3R]

How the hell did I miss this one 😮

[@skreamers]

i feel you on that night shop. the fuck is a night shop

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Haha next time I’m there I might go and take a look but I don’t want to go on my own as it looks very sketchy!

[@Professional-struggler]

Binge watching your vids most of the day! Un-discovered jem this channel is 👍 thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Very kind of you to say so. Glad you’re enjoying the content and there’s still a lot more to come from My recent Normandy trip😃

[@jamestregler1584]

My old friend George J Kambur was their 🧐

[@edwinodus]

What are those military vehicles, one truck earlier and two jeeps later in the video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Origianl war time vehicles .I filmed this episode in December 2022 so lots of wartime vehicles head to Bastogne to celebrate NUTS! weeekend, commeorating the anniversary of the battle.

[@annabyczynska5123]

Zapraszamy do Polski

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I hope to make it there early next year for some filming!

[@annabyczynska5123]

@@WW2Wayfinder wonderful channel ❤️

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very kind of you to say so! Thank you.

[@maryholder3795]

The Battle of the Bulge, German last throw of the dice to stop the Allies and get to Amsterdam port. They failed as Bastone and surrounding areas where held by US troops.

[@lilliekinder2250]

My father was there snd he talked about the snow.

[@Замир-ь1ю]

❤❤❤❤

[@Peoplemvr]

What about the church in Bastogne?

[@Garrett_D-T]

You should go to the riese castle!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Just had to google it, but you’re right I do! Looks fascinating. I’m planning on going to Poland in March next year so will see if it’s possible to squeeze it in! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Garrett_D-T]

@@WW2Wayfinder The secret nazi wonder weapons and that castle have a long mutual connection.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s on the list, thanks for the heads up about it!

[@dale1956ties]

11:01 Wow. It almost looks as though one of your period photos suddenly came to life. {8^)

[@richardmardis2492]

So jealous😆😥

[@richardfarley6127]

The British love to talk about World War II

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Yes we do!

[@carlwilson3482]

NUTS