The Battlefield Explorer
@bfxpl.bsky.social
Battlefield guide for Operation Market Garden and beyond, interested in all things WWI and WWII.
Uncle Beach in Vlissingen marks where British commandos went ashore during Operation Infatuate to open the approaches to Antwerp harbour. Unlike Normandy, this was a late-war amphibious assault, carried out in poor weather against prepared German defences.
February 9, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Uncle Beach in Vlissingen marks where British commandos went ashore during Operation Infatuate to open the approaches to Antwerp harbour. Unlike Normandy, this was a late-war amphibious assault, carried out in poor weather against prepared German defences.
Near this tree, nine men were killed in seconds in August 1940, and the tree still shows the scars.
The men were members of the Essex Regiment, sheltering nearby while guarding North Weald aerodrome during a German air raid on 24 August 1940.
The men were members of the Essex Regiment, sheltering nearby while guarding North Weald aerodrome during a German air raid on 24 August 1940.
February 8, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Near this tree, nine men were killed in seconds in August 1940, and the tree still shows the scars.
The men were members of the Essex Regiment, sheltering nearby while guarding North Weald aerodrome during a German air raid on 24 August 1940.
The men were members of the Essex Regiment, sheltering nearby while guarding North Weald aerodrome during a German air raid on 24 August 1940.
The view from inside a restored First World War German trench at the Passchendaele Museum.
The museum focuses on the Third Battle of Ypres, fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917, one of the costliest battles of the war.
The museum focuses on the Third Battle of Ypres, fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917, one of the costliest battles of the war.
February 7, 2026 at 9:48 AM
The view from inside a restored First World War German trench at the Passchendaele Museum.
The museum focuses on the Third Battle of Ypres, fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917, one of the costliest battles of the war.
The museum focuses on the Third Battle of Ypres, fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917, one of the costliest battles of the war.
This is the 1st Airborne Division evacuation memorial on the south bank of the Rhine at Oosterbeek.
From here, on the night of 25-26 September 1944, the last remaining British and Polish airborne troops were ferried across under cover of darkness.
This marked the end of the Arnhem operation.
From here, on the night of 25-26 September 1944, the last remaining British and Polish airborne troops were ferried across under cover of darkness.
This marked the end of the Arnhem operation.
February 7, 2026 at 9:24 AM
This is the 1st Airborne Division evacuation memorial on the south bank of the Rhine at Oosterbeek.
From here, on the night of 25-26 September 1944, the last remaining British and Polish airborne troops were ferried across under cover of darkness.
This marked the end of the Arnhem operation.
From here, on the night of 25-26 September 1944, the last remaining British and Polish airborne troops were ferried across under cover of darkness.
This marked the end of the Arnhem operation.
This German Gun Bunker was built to defend fortress IJmuiden.
IJmuiden was not just another stretch of coastline. In January 1944 it was formally designated a fortress, a status reserved for places considered vital to the German war effort. That decision influenced everything in the area.
IJmuiden was not just another stretch of coastline. In January 1944 it was formally designated a fortress, a status reserved for places considered vital to the German war effort. That decision influenced everything in the area.
February 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
This German Gun Bunker was built to defend fortress IJmuiden.
IJmuiden was not just another stretch of coastline. In January 1944 it was formally designated a fortress, a status reserved for places considered vital to the German war effort. That decision influenced everything in the area.
IJmuiden was not just another stretch of coastline. In January 1944 it was formally designated a fortress, a status reserved for places considered vital to the German war effort. That decision influenced everything in the area.
This Panzer IV stood outside the Normandy Victory Museum in 2019.
By the summer of 44, the design had reached its limits. Once the backbone of German armoured forces, the Panzer IV was still a dangerous adversary, but no longer dominant as Allied tanks surpassed it in armour, firepower, and mobility
By the summer of 44, the design had reached its limits. Once the backbone of German armoured forces, the Panzer IV was still a dangerous adversary, but no longer dominant as Allied tanks surpassed it in armour, firepower, and mobility
February 5, 2026 at 1:17 PM
This Panzer IV stood outside the Normandy Victory Museum in 2019.
By the summer of 44, the design had reached its limits. Once the backbone of German armoured forces, the Panzer IV was still a dangerous adversary, but no longer dominant as Allied tanks surpassed it in armour, firepower, and mobility
By the summer of 44, the design had reached its limits. Once the backbone of German armoured forces, the Panzer IV was still a dangerous adversary, but no longer dominant as Allied tanks surpassed it in armour, firepower, and mobility
This may be the most overlooked Market Garden memorial.
A beautiful eagle draped in a parachute marks the 101st Airborne drop zone near Son.
It stands at the A50 service area between Sint-Oedenrode and Son en Breugel.
A beautiful eagle draped in a parachute marks the 101st Airborne drop zone near Son.
It stands at the A50 service area between Sint-Oedenrode and Son en Breugel.
February 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM
This may be the most overlooked Market Garden memorial.
A beautiful eagle draped in a parachute marks the 101st Airborne drop zone near Son.
It stands at the A50 service area between Sint-Oedenrode and Son en Breugel.
A beautiful eagle draped in a parachute marks the 101st Airborne drop zone near Son.
It stands at the A50 service area between Sint-Oedenrode and Son en Breugel.
This is the Feldherrnhalle in Munich. In November 1923, this is where the Beer Hall Putsch ended in gunfire and collapse.
Sixteen Nazis and four Bavarian policemen were killed here within minutes. Adolf Hitler fled the scene, was arrested days later, and sentenced to prison.
Sixteen Nazis and four Bavarian policemen were killed here within minutes. Adolf Hitler fled the scene, was arrested days later, and sentenced to prison.
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
This is the Feldherrnhalle in Munich. In November 1923, this is where the Beer Hall Putsch ended in gunfire and collapse.
Sixteen Nazis and four Bavarian policemen were killed here within minutes. Adolf Hitler fled the scene, was arrested days later, and sentenced to prison.
Sixteen Nazis and four Bavarian policemen were killed here within minutes. Adolf Hitler fled the scene, was arrested days later, and sentenced to prison.
Here, at the Bendlerblock in Berlin, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and a number of his fellow conspirators were executed only hours after their attempt to assassinate Hitler failed on 20 July 1944.
February 2, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Here, at the Bendlerblock in Berlin, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and a number of his fellow conspirators were executed only hours after their attempt to assassinate Hitler failed on 20 July 1944.
Dragon’s teeth of the Siegfried Line on the outskirts of the Hürtgen Forest. Parked in a gap in the line is an original WWII Dodge WC54 ambulance.
I took this photo in 2007 during my first visit to the forest. We went in with several WWII vehicles, an experience that has stayed with me.
I took this photo in 2007 during my first visit to the forest. We went in with several WWII vehicles, an experience that has stayed with me.
January 31, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Dragon’s teeth of the Siegfried Line on the outskirts of the Hürtgen Forest. Parked in a gap in the line is an original WWII Dodge WC54 ambulance.
I took this photo in 2007 during my first visit to the forest. We went in with several WWII vehicles, an experience that has stayed with me.
I took this photo in 2007 during my first visit to the forest. We went in with several WWII vehicles, an experience that has stayed with me.
This is the bunker near Cheneux where Jochen Peiper took shelter during an Allied air raid in December 1944.
On the 4th day of the Battle of the Bulge, Peiper and his Kampfgruppe were trying to reach the Meuse River. After the bridges at Trois-Ponts were destroyed, he was forced onto a long detour.
On the 4th day of the Battle of the Bulge, Peiper and his Kampfgruppe were trying to reach the Meuse River. After the bridges at Trois-Ponts were destroyed, he was forced onto a long detour.
January 31, 2026 at 8:30 AM
This is the bunker near Cheneux where Jochen Peiper took shelter during an Allied air raid in December 1944.
On the 4th day of the Battle of the Bulge, Peiper and his Kampfgruppe were trying to reach the Meuse River. After the bridges at Trois-Ponts were destroyed, he was forced onto a long detour.
On the 4th day of the Battle of the Bulge, Peiper and his Kampfgruppe were trying to reach the Meuse River. After the bridges at Trois-Ponts were destroyed, he was forced onto a long detour.
A British WWI machine-gun bunker deep in Ploegsteert Wood, known to British troops as Plugstreet Wood.
After heavy fighting in late 1914 and early 1915, this sector of the Ypres Salient became relatively quiet. By 1916 it was used to rest and retrain units after tougher fighting elsewhere.
After heavy fighting in late 1914 and early 1915, this sector of the Ypres Salient became relatively quiet. By 1916 it was used to rest and retrain units after tougher fighting elsewhere.
January 30, 2026 at 9:07 AM
A British WWI machine-gun bunker deep in Ploegsteert Wood, known to British troops as Plugstreet Wood.
After heavy fighting in late 1914 and early 1915, this sector of the Ypres Salient became relatively quiet. By 1916 it was used to rest and retrain units after tougher fighting elsewhere.
After heavy fighting in late 1914 and early 1915, this sector of the Ypres Salient became relatively quiet. By 1916 it was used to rest and retrain units after tougher fighting elsewhere.
The church in Angoville-au-Plain.
During D-Day and the following days, this small church was used as an aid station by U.S. medics Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright, 101st Airborne.
Wounded from both sides were treated here. The bloodstains on the pews remain as a reminder of what took place inside.
During D-Day and the following days, this small church was used as an aid station by U.S. medics Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright, 101st Airborne.
Wounded from both sides were treated here. The bloodstains on the pews remain as a reminder of what took place inside.
January 30, 2026 at 8:04 AM
The church in Angoville-au-Plain.
During D-Day and the following days, this small church was used as an aid station by U.S. medics Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright, 101st Airborne.
Wounded from both sides were treated here. The bloodstains on the pews remain as a reminder of what took place inside.
During D-Day and the following days, this small church was used as an aid station by U.S. medics Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright, 101st Airborne.
Wounded from both sides were treated here. The bloodstains on the pews remain as a reminder of what took place inside.
The striking Dambusters Memorial in Woodhall Spa.
Near here, in May 1943, Lancasters of 617 Sqdn set out with bouncing bombs to breach the Möhne and Eder dams. The weapon worked, but at a heavy price.
Eight of 19 aircraft did not return with 53 Allied airmen killed. Many more died in the flooding.
Near here, in May 1943, Lancasters of 617 Sqdn set out with bouncing bombs to breach the Möhne and Eder dams. The weapon worked, but at a heavy price.
Eight of 19 aircraft did not return with 53 Allied airmen killed. Many more died in the flooding.
January 29, 2026 at 10:28 AM
The striking Dambusters Memorial in Woodhall Spa.
Near here, in May 1943, Lancasters of 617 Sqdn set out with bouncing bombs to breach the Möhne and Eder dams. The weapon worked, but at a heavy price.
Eight of 19 aircraft did not return with 53 Allied airmen killed. Many more died in the flooding.
Near here, in May 1943, Lancasters of 617 Sqdn set out with bouncing bombs to breach the Möhne and Eder dams. The weapon worked, but at a heavy price.
Eight of 19 aircraft did not return with 53 Allied airmen killed. Many more died in the flooding.
This is the real building in Rachamps where the men of Easy Company spent the night before being pulled off the line near Bastogne.
In Band of Brothers, the location is shown as a monastery. In reality, it was a convent, and the building is still in use today as a school.
In Band of Brothers, the location is shown as a monastery. In reality, it was a convent, and the building is still in use today as a school.
January 28, 2026 at 11:23 AM
This is the real building in Rachamps where the men of Easy Company spent the night before being pulled off the line near Bastogne.
In Band of Brothers, the location is shown as a monastery. In reality, it was a convent, and the building is still in use today as a school.
In Band of Brothers, the location is shown as a monastery. In reality, it was a convent, and the building is still in use today as a school.
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.