WORLD WAR 1 (1918)

BELGIUM
and FRANCE
World War I
World War II
June 1940
Paris

Left: Hitler (first row, left) with his fellow-soldiers somewhere in Belgium or France in 1914
Right: Hitler (top row centre) in 1916 in a lazaret in Beelitz (Germany)

Hitler was in different battles and areas in Belgium and France during the first World War. Some locations are very common, but on this page you might find a lot of locations that are less well-known. Some locations might require more investigation, but a lot of bunkers and trenches and original roads are, off course, not longer there. Some other places I could find back pretty easily. It’s important to know that Hitler was part of the 1st or 2nd Kompanie of the Reserve Infanterie Regiment 16 (RIR 16 or the List-regiment) untill October 7, 1915. After that he joined the 3rd Kompanie. Both were part of the 1st batallion of RIR 16. The most prominent sources used here are the Erinnerungsblätter Regimenter Bayerische Armee, Das Reserve Regiment List (Solleder, 1932), Mit Adolf Hitler im Bayerischen Reserve Infanterie Regiment 16 List (Meijer, 1931) and Frontsoldat Hitler (Russell, 2006).

Hitler in the First World War 1918

February 18 - Region Anizy

The regiment goes to the Oise-Aisne channel (same defense zone as in 1917, region Anizy-Lizy). Meyer mentions Montbavin.

March 3 - Laon or Urcel

The regiment takes over the rightside of the left wing near Urcel (opposite to Chavignon). The batallion at rest is located at Laon.

March 21 - La Fère

In March 1918 a large battle takes place between La Fère and Amiens. Hitler’s regiment marches through the area of La Fère. They’re not taking part of the battles.

March 25 - Laon

The regiment is replaced. It goes to Laon for shelter.

March 26 - April 6 - Fontaine

Hitlers regiment is part of the spring offensive in the Fontaine region (probably the region south of the river Marne). The regiment staf houses at the Schloß Fontaine (?). The first part of the German spring offensive took place between March 21 and April 5. It’s codename was Michael. The German army took over the area between St. Quentin, Montdidier and Albert.

March 26 - Fourdrain

The soldiers march to Fourdrain.

March 27 - La Fère

Bivouac in the woods north of Noureuil (Solleders book mentiones playing football at the English Sporting Field).

March 28 - Chauny

The regiment goes towards Chauny. They get into position near the Croizat-channel between Chauny and Tergnier. The Regiment Staf is still located in the basement of Schloss Fontaine.

1918 Belgium-France-Austria-Germany

In 1918 Hitler mostly was in France. A ‘diensturlaub’ in Nürnberg is also mentioned, but couldn’t be dated or proven. It is also said that Hitler was in the area of Monchy and Bapaume in this period.

Winter 1917/1918 - Chemin des Dames

Shelter at: Gercy, Houry, Prisces, Gronard and Burelles

February 11 - Vervins

Division training at Vervins.

For a map of Chemin des Dames look at the 1917 page. (klick kere)

March 29/30 - Guivry and Verpillières

The regiment marches to Guivry, but after a few hours they go through Belancourt (Billancourt) to Verpillières.

March 31 - Verpillières

The RIR 16 stays at Verpillières.

April 1 - Fontaine region

The regiment marches through this area that had just been taken by the German army. They stay behind the front line on a route that runs more or less parallel with the Oise. Through Roije, Andechy and the ‘Schlucht’ (canyon) 1 km. east of Guerbigny. The regiment replaces troops near Fontaine. The 2nd batallion fights, the 3rd one stands reserve and the 1st batallion rests. Part of the reserve troops have their shelters in Fontaine (Fontaine-sous-Montdidier) and Courtemanche. The regiment staf and the ‘Truppenverbandplatz’ are located at the Schloss Fontaine (?).

April 7 - 27 – Montdidier

Hitler is in the area of the Avre (river in the Somme area, France) and Montdidier (France). When the regiment reaches Montdidier. They stay west of Montdidier in the trenches for 26 days, under heavy fire.

April 27/28 - May 26 - Ailette region

Hitlers regiment fights north of the river Ailette.

End of April - Andechy

The regiment finds shelter in Andechy. They march through the Somme area untill April 30:

April 27 - Hattencourt

April 28 - Esmery-Hallon

April 29 - Frières-Faillouel

April 30 - Chéry les Pouilly

May 1 + 2 - Somme area

The regiment rests, probably near Chéry les Pouilly

May 3 - Anizy and Lizy

Travelling to Anizy-Lizy. The regiment replaces troops on the 4300 meters long frontline between Anizy – Berry-au-Bac.

May 9 - Area Anizy and Lizy (not sure)

Hitler receives a regimental citation for bravery.

May 14/15 - Replacement

The regiment is replaced.

May 16 or 18 - Decoration

Hitler receives Medal for Wounded, Category Black (for being wounded twice).

May 16 – May 26 - Vivaise and region

The first batallion rests at Vivaise and Allenstein lager.

The rest of the regiment is at Chéry les Pouilly.

Laon Northwest weergeven op een grotere kaart

Montdidier weergeven op een grotere kaart

Hattencourt weergeven op een grotere kaart

Lizy (France)

Left: The village of Lizy in World War 1.

(Solleder, 1932)

Right: The shelter of the Meldeläufer in Lizy. Hitler could very well have been here. (Solleder, 1932)

The exact locations of both pictures are unknown.

May 26 – June 1 - Chemin des Dames

Hitlers regiment is in the region of Soissons (France) and Reims (France) and the river Aisne (France) since a part of the German spring offensive took place in this region called the Chemin des Dames (region between Soissons and Reims). The Germans took over the entire region, but the offensive was stopped in the beginning of June.

May 26 - Prémontré

The regiment is at the ‘Bereitstellungsplatz’ near Prémontré.

May 27 - Chemin des Dames

During the large German attack in the area of the Chemin des Dames the regiment follows the troops behind the front line. (The regiment is building a bridge over the Oise-Aisne Channel.) The regiment reaches Anizy and takes position northwest of Pinon. Near Allemant they cross a steep hillside.

The 1st batallion is south of Hexenhaus. It takes the ‘Potsdamerplatz’ (= the crossing of the street Vauxaillon-Terny/Sorny and Pont a Courson-Neuvillesur Margival.

May 28 - Juvigny

Marching west, across the Potsdamerstrasse. At night they reach Juvigny.

May 29 - Juvigny and Bagneux

The 2nd and 3rd batallion are in the 1st and 2nd line; the 1st batallion stands reserve. The regiments 3rd batallion takes the hight of Crécy-Chavigny. They go through Montécouvé and reach the edge of the hight that is east and northeast of Bagneux.

May 30 - Bagneux

Bagneux and the Ferme de Mareuil are taken. The canyon in the woods is defended strongly by the Allied Forces. The 3rd batallion takes the hight. The first batallion goes to the front line. At noon the German artillery shoots at its enemy that’s northeast of Epagny. The first batallion takes a large camp with suplies in the woods. After that they go to the hight that lies 2 km. south of Vezaponin.

May 31 - Nouvron (Nouvron-Vingré)

1st batallion: eastside; 2nd batallion: west of Nouvron. The battle continues along the road Nouvron – Le Port. The first batallion makes it to the southern edge of the hight north of Le Port. When they take Le Port, the bridge over the Aisne is blown up. The German troops can’t cross the river.

1st batallion: Le Port (Port Fontenoi); 2nd batallion: hight north of Le Port; 3rd batallion: reserve troops at the old French trenches, facing southwest

June 1 - Le Port

The allied forces hold Le Port and the street to Le Port under fire, it’s impossible to reach Le Port in daytime (coming from the north). Contact with the troops is difficult to make.

June 7 - Le Port

The west of Le Port is retaken by the French. The 1st batallion gets replaced. It takes position as reserve troops north of Fontenoy.

June 12 - Area of Le Port

The German troops move forwards, but only on the southside the hights can be taken. The regiment goes to Juvigny – Condé sur Aisne – Courselles (Celles sur Aisne). They rest in Courcelles for 7 days.

June 26 - Courcelles

The regiment joins in sporting festivities at Courcelles.

Laon Southwest weergeven op een grotere kaart

June 27 - Sergy

The regiment is located at Sergy near Fère en Tardenois (south of the area Celles sur Aisne).

June 28 – July 15 - Marne region

The regiment goes to the Marne region. They arrive at Passy. (Passy-sur-Marne). The regiment stays behind the frontline as reserve troops, south of the Marne, at the hights in that area.

Hitlers regiment takes part of the Germany’s final attack of the river Marne. The last German offensive took place between June 9 and July 18. It took place south of the Chemin des Dames. After July 18 the Allied Forces took over the initiative.

July 16 - St. Agnan

Near St.Agnan at Les Lesnards-Ferme. The regiment is sent here and there. At night it’s in the woods northwest of Les Lesnards-Ferme.

July 16/17 - Frontline

The regiment takes position at the frontline that ends at the street to Courthiézy.

July 17 - Fontaine-Creuse

The 1st batallion goes to Fountaine-Creuse.

July 18 - Vitarderie-Ferme

The 1st batallion goes to the woods east of the Vitarderie-Ferme.

July 19 - northbank Marne

The entire regiment goes back to the northbank of the river Marne.The 1st and 2nd batallion take position at the line Trelou (Trélou-sur-Marne) – Dormans. The regiment staf and the reserve batallion are at the woods northeast of L’Herolle (?).

July 20 - Sergy

The regiment goes to Sergy for a rest.

July 21 - Dormans, Vincelles and L’Herolle

Back in line at Dormans, Vincelles and L’Herolle.

July 22 - L’Herolle and Trelou, Reddy – Ferme, Cierges

The regiment is at the wooded area west of the street between L’Herolle and Trelou. At night they go to Reddy – Ferme. They stay there for three days. After that they’re building ‘Stellungen’ northeast of Cierges.

French Mountain (Domain Dalle-Dumont)
Location: Rue de Linselles N 50° 45.499 E 003° 02.540
Today: still there, Centre d'Observation de l'Environnement
Hitler was badly wounded during a gas attack on this hill in the night of October 13 to 14, 1918. After treatment in Oudenaarde he’s taken to the military hospital Pasewalk (near Berlin). There he hears about about the German capitulation.
The domain Dalle-Dumont is on the so called French Mountain. On the northflank of the mountain is the Wit Kasteel (White Castle). The castle was a fieldhospital for the German troops during the First World War. In the domain are a lot of traces of the Great War. There is a monument from 1915 for the fallen German soldiers, there are some remains of militairy hiding places and there is a German graveyard were 2500 German soldiers are burried.
The castle has had some different functions since than, but it houses the Centre d'Observation de l'Environnement today.

Domain Dalle-Dumont
(picture: The Hitler Pages)

The White Castle
(picture: The Hitler Pages)

A German Memorial from 1915. It says: ‘Die Im den Tod im heiligen Kampfs fandt, ruht auch in fremdes Erd im Vaterland.’
(picture: The Hitler Pages)

Wervicq-Sud (France)

Fieldlazaret Oudenaarde
Location: somewhere in Oudenaarde (a website mentions ‘t College)
When Hitler got woonded on the French Mountain in Wervicq-sud, he was treated in the 53e Fieldlazaret in Oudenaarde. After that he was transported to Pasewalk.

Oudenaarde (Belgium)

October 21 - November 19 - Pasewalk (Germany)

Hitler recovers from his injury in Pasewalk. Germany surrenders while Hitler is at the hospital.

1918-1919 – München

Hitler returns to München (Germany) and Traunstein (Germany) and stays in the army untill 1920.

Hitlers regiment was at the following locations, while Hitler had left the war:

Roncq, La Montagne (Wervicq-Sud), Swevelghem, Gent-Schelde-stellung, Voltegem, Kruisstraat, Maeter, Ondenhove Sint Horits and Brussels. They go back to Germany on November 17 through Gare du Nord and Schaerbeke. They leave Brussels by foot. On November 24 they reach Germany at Hergenrath, south of Aaken. On November 30 they reach the river Rhine near Köln. On December 1 the first transport to Bayern starts. On December 12/13/15 the troops arrive at the demobilisationcamps of Ebersberg, Grafing and Dexing.

Lazaret Pasewalk
Location: Pasewalk is a town north of Berlin, near the sea and the border of Poland, the exact location of the lazarett we don’t know yet, there must have been a lazaret near the Schützenpark
Today: not sure
At the end of the first World War Hitler was in a lazaret or hospital in Pasewalk. The most accurate discription of it is Reservelazaret Pasewalk. There is a private hospital in Pasewalk that used to be the Kreiskrankenhaus on the Prenzlauer Chaussee 30. If it’s got anything to do with Hitler, we don’t know. Near the Schützenpark must have been a lazaret too, but I’m not sure when that was.

A picture of the lazaret in 1918

Pasewalk (Germany)

August 1 - Laon, Vivaise and Le Cateau

The regiment travells through Laon to Vivaise. After that they become reserve troops at Le Cateau.

August 4 - Decoration

Hitler receives an Iron Cross 1st Class for bravery and merit (for delivering a message under extremely dangerous circumstances). Location unknown.

August 9 - Arras

Hitlers regiment fights near Arras during Germany’s ‘Black Day’.

The Allied Forces completely surprised the German army on what Ludendorff called the black day of the German army. It took place in the region of Amiens, and it was the turning point of the First World War. Hitler was in the region of Arras at that time.

August 15 - Cambrai

The regiment is at the region of Cambrai: Blécourt, Tilloy (Tilloy les Cambrai), Sailly (Sailly les Cambrai).

August 20 - Ecourt-St.Quentin – Bourlon

The regiment is at the frontline Ecourt-St.Quentin – Bourlon.

August 21 - Sapignies

The regiment is on both sides of Sapignies. Location 1st batallion: Bapaumerstraße.

August 23 - August 30 - Nürnberg

Hitler’s on a short break. He receives a decoration, the Bavarian Military Service Medal 3rd Class, for outstanding service, on August 25.

(August 23 and 24 - Béhagnies

The regiment holds the line from the western edge of Béhagnies to the south, across the street to Bihucourt and a part of the road to Biefvillers. The 1st batallion is near Biefvillers.

August 27 - Ytres

Replacement. The regiment goes to Ytres, behind the channel Marquion – Havrincourt.)

A map of the Marne area from 1918.

(Meijer, 1934)

Marne 1918 weergeven op een grotere kaart

September 28 - Wervicq

The 3rd batallion of the regiment goes to Wervicq. Hitler rejoins the regiment during these days.

September 29 - Houthem

The first batallion is at Houthem, the street Korentje – Ten Brielen and under heavy fire at

Schoonveldhof – Gladjehof (?)

September 30 - Comines

The 1st batallion of the List Regiment is at Comines.

First half of October - Comines region

October 13/14 - Wervicq-Sud

Hitler gets blinded by chlorine gas at Wervicq-Sud (France). The final Allied Offensive was in the period of October and November, in all areas of the front.

October – Oudenaarde (Belgium)

Hitler is transported to a Fieldhospital in Oudenaarde.

August 30/31 - Travelling towards Brugge (Belgium)

At night the regiment travels from Valenciennes – Months (Mons) – Ath (Aat) – Gent to Brugge.

September 1 – September 8 - Dudzele (Belgium)

The regiment rests at Dudzele (the 2nd batallion arrives later). A lot of the men go for a trip to Zeebrugge to watch the sea.

September 9 - Roubaix and Lannoy

Arrival at Roubaix. At night the regiment travels on to Lannoy.

A map of the Bapaume region, 1918. (Solleder, 1932)

Cambrai weergeven op een grotere kaart

Valencienes-Brugge weergeven op een grotere kaart

September 10 – September 27 – Berlin

Hitler is said to have been at Spital (Austria), but in fact he went to Berlin again to stay with the parents of a fellow soldier. A Militärfahrschein of 8-9-1918 proves that Hitler took the train from Dudzele to Berlin.

September 16 - Messines (Hitler’s in Germany or Austria)

The regiment is at Comines, Wijtschaete, Messines, Steenbach and Warneton