Lakenhal (18)
Location: Grote Markt
Today: Still there
A Hoffmann picture shows Hitler’s motorcade near the Lakenhalle in Ieper.
The Lakenhal today
(picture: Donderwolk, www.wikipedia.nl)
The cars on the Grote Markt near the Lakenhal
(pictures: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Hitler near the Meensepoort. This picture was taken in the Kauwekijnstraat.
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Location: Meensestraat. The Meensepoort is one of the entrances to the centre of Ieper. It’s on the road from Ieper to Menen.
Today: Still there. The Meensepoort is a memorial for the fallen soldiers in the First World War. On the inside of the gate are the names of a lot of soldiers from different countries. Still every day at 8 o’clock p.m. the last post is blown for the fallen soldiers.
Next on his journey on June 1, Hitler visited the Meensepoort in Ieper. Hitler was in this region of Ieper during the First World War but he had never been to Ieper. On this date in June he came back to the Ieper region to watch the memorial.
direction of the Meensestraat
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
memorial Ieper, the Meensepoort
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
(picture: Mathot, 2001)
IEPER
German War Cemetery (19)
Location: Klerkenstraat, north of Langemark village, on the northern exit in the direction of Houthulst
Today: Still there
In Langemark Hitler met general Von Schwedler. He went to see the German cemetery of soldiers that died during the First World War. The name of Hitler’s first regiment commander Julius List is on a memorial stone on this graveyard.
The entrance of the cemetery
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
The cemetery of Langemark
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
The exact same spot today
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
The tombs and the path in front of them are still there.
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
Hitler on the cemetery of Langemark. He’s on a small path in front of the tombs that are also on the picture below.
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
The path in front of the tombes
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 1940)
Hitler and his men looking
at the tombs
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Hitler and general Von Schwedler on the cemetery of Langemark
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Hitler leaves the cemetery from a side exit.
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
The cemetery today
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
LANGEMARK
Route through Boezinge (20) and Poperinge (21)
Exact route: Unknown
After Langemark the cars went to the Kemmelberg, through Boezinge and Poperinge.
Boezinge today
Poperinge in 1915
The church of Poperinge today
BOEZINGE & POPERINGE
Location: Near the village of Kemmel, southwest of Ieper, between Kemmel and the French border
Today: Still there
The Kemmelberg (mountain of Kemmel) is the highest point in the district. There’s been some heavy fighting in World War 1 on this mountain. In the spring offensive of 1918 the Germans took the mountain. Hitler visited the Kemmelberg in 1940.
Right: The same spot today (picture: the Hitlerpages, 2009)
Both picture above:
The Kemmelberg today
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2009)
KEMMELBERG
Route through Wijtschate (23), Mesen (23a) and Comines (23b)
Exact route: Unknown
When they left the Kemmelberg the cars went to the border of France, to get to Lille. They drove through Wijtschate, Mesen and Comines. Hitler knew the area of Mesen and Comines, because he had been stationed there in WW1. Because a bridge near Comines was blown up, they had to travel through Wervik and Tourcoing.
The church of Wijtschate
WIJTSCHATE & MESEN & COMINES
The church and Kloster of Mesen before and after WW1
The bridge over the river Leie between Comines (Belgium) and Comines (France)
The bridge and the church of Wervik
A road in Tourcoing
Route through Wervik (24) and Tourcoing (25)
Exact route: Bridge over the Leie, Rue de Linselles (Wervicq-
Because a bridge near Comines was blown up, Hitler travelled through Wervik to Tourcoing.
They must have taken the bridge over the Leie there and in Wervicq-
WERVIK & TOURCOING (FRANCE)
The white castle at Parc Dalle Dumond in Wervicq-
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 20007)
Location: Rodert region. Take the L11 from Palmersheim to Odendorf. Take the first (small) road to the left, when you see a path on the right, you’re facing the former airfield.
Hitler left Germany from Odendorf Airfield, near the FHQ Felsennest in Rodert on June 1, 1940.
ODENDORF (GERMANY)
Today: Brussels Airport
On June 1, 1940 Hitler flew from Feldfluplatz Odendorf to Brussels. He met Von Bock, Von Küchler and Von Reichenau at the airport. From Brussels he went for a 2 days trip in the south of Belgium and the north of France. On June 1 he went from Brussels to Gent -
Hitler at Brussels-
Hitler at Brussels-
Above: Hitler shakes hands with Generaloberst Von Bock
Below: Hitler shaking hands with Kesselring. Behind them Von Bock and Brauchitsch
(pictures: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Brussels -
Known part of the route: Tervuurse Laan (1a), Triomfboog, Jubelpark (2), Wetstraat
(3), Naamse Poort (3a), Louizaplein (3b), Palace Of Justice (4), Kleine Zavel (4a)
Regentschapsstraat (5), Museum voor Oude Kunst (5a), Koningsplein (5b), Royal Palace
(6), Koningsstraat (6a), Kathedraal van St. Michiels en St. Goedele (7), Grote Markt
(8), Kolenmarkt (9), Beurs, Beursplein (9a), Brouckèreplein (9b), Emile Jacqmainplein
(9c), Antwerpselaan (9d), Laan Leopold II (9e), Kaizer-
After having left the airport Hitler’s automobile column rode through the city of Brussels. Hitler had been in Brussels before during WW1, when he was on a leave. He was back there on June 1, 1940.
The cars near the Triomfboog at the Jubelpark (picture: Hoffmann Archive)
The cars driving through the Regentschapsstraat, the palace of Justice is in the backof the picture (picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Here the cars are on the Grote Markt, driving into the Kolenmarkt street. (picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
The Triomfboog today
(picture: Cindy Smeulders, nl.wikipedia.org)
The palace of Justice today
An old postcard of the Naamse Poort. This area looks completely different today.
The Royal Palace in Brussels
(picture: wikipedia)
The same location on the Grote Markt is still there.
A postcard of the Beurs in Brussels in 1911
BRUSSELS
Blown up bridges (10)
Location: Channel of Willebroek
Today: Two bridges are there now: one for trains and one for cars and other traffic. The channel was also broadened in the fifties.
After leaving Brussels Hitler seems to have taken a detour up to the North. On May
17 a fight had been taking place near the bridge of Kapelle-
Bridge over the channel of Willebroek
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann)
KAPELLE-
Werf (10a)
Exact route: Unknown
Asse seems to have been on the route that Hitler took that day.
ASSE
Army Fieldheadquarters (12e)
Location: Somewhere in the area of Gent. Could have been at the castle gardens of the Van Ooidonk Castle, but there’s no real prove of that.
Today: Unknown
Hitler had a meeting with general Von Küchler in the area of Gent, somewhere in a park of a castle. He also had lunch there. If he was driven through Gent before of after that is not clear. The Dutch version of After the Battle says it was before they reached Gent, but René Mathot’s book Hitler in België says it was after Gent. Because Mathot is the most accurate in pointing out the location I’ve looked for castle in the area between Gent and Deinze. I found three possible locations:
1. Ooidonk Castle (Graaf Henridreef, Deinze) (12e)
2. Pinte Scheldevelde Castle
3. Kasteel Borluut
Hitler talking to Von Küchler
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
GENT
Tour through the city of Gent (12a)
Location: Vlaanderenstraat (12) Limburgstraat (12a)
Today: Still there
There’s a picture of Hitler’s automibile column driving through the Limburgstraat.
Aalst was the next place on the route. The cars didn’t stop at Aalst.
Above: The cars driving through the Limburgstraat in Gent. In the back of the picture is St. Baafscathedral. (picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
Right: About the same view today
(picture: travelnet.com)
Tour through the city of Gent (12b)
Location: St. Baafskathedraal, St. Baafsplein
Today: Still there
Hitler’s car rode past the St. Baafscathedral onto the St.Baafsplein.
Hitler’s car is right next to the tower of St. Baafscathedral. The Lakenhal on the St. Baafsplein is the other building on the picture. (Mathot, 2001)
Tour through the city of Gent (12c)
Location: Lakenhalle, St. Baafsplein
Today: Still there
After passing St. Baafscathedral the cars rode past the Lakenhalle and the St.Baafsplein.
Hitler’s car near the statue in front of the Lakenhalle (Mathot, 2001)
The Lakenhalle and the statue today. The tower behind the Lakenhalle is called Belfort.
Tour through the city of Gent (12c)
Location: Gravensteen Fortress, corner Geldmunt/ Rekelingestraat
Today: Still there
Hitler’s car also past the fortress of Gravensteen.
Hitler’s car in front of the Gravensteen fortress. Hitler probably did not go inside the fortress. (Mathot, 2001)
Gravensteen today
(picture: belgiumview.com)
Location 1: Markt 18 Today: Still there, renovated
Location 2: Markt A317 (numbering in 1940) Today: apartments
Hitler was stationed in Ardooie in the summer of 1917. This led to a lot of speculations. Historian Werner Maser, who said Hitler had a son from this region, helped spread the lie that Hitler was here in 1940, visiting the farm he had been stationed in 1917. Although several dates were mentioned by several sources, June 1 must have been the date Hitler could have been here. A guy called Joseph Goethals lived at the Markt near the church at that time, in the house he said Hitler had visited. This was confirmed by Heinz Linge, but Goethals and Linge wrongly dated the visit on May 29. The number of the house, Markt 18, was also wrong. That led to the strong believe the historian Werner Maser misquoted Linge on purpose, because he was looking for the proof Hitler had a son from this region. The number 18 that Linge remembered couldn’t have been the number of the Goethals farm, because that was numbered Markt A317 in 1940. Proof like this and the strange detour Hitler must have been making on this date, made other historians wonder whether the story was true. Thanks to an article I received from a great source from the region, it’s only right to state here that Hitler couldn’t have been here in 1940. Look here for some information about Hitler’s being here in the summer of 1917.
It is wrongly said that Hitlerwas stationed in the red house behind the church. (pictures: the Hitlerpages, 2009)
The house where Joseph Goethals lived. (picture: the Hitlerpages, 2009)
Airport Bissegem (14)
Location: Along the Kortrijkstraat between Kortrijk and Wevelgem
Today: There’s still an airport, but it’s been completely renewed. It’s called Kortrijk-
After Ardooie a meeting with Generaloberst Von Reichenau took place at the airport of Bissegem.
Heinrich Hoffmann and some men of the SS at the airport Bissegem
(picture: Heinrich Hoffmann Archive)
BISSEGEM
Hitler inside a building of airport Bissegem, talking with von Reichenau and looking at a map on the wall (pictures: Mathot, 2001)
Hitler at Bissegem airport, outside (pictures: Mathot, 2001)
Luchthaven (airport) Kortrijk-
Route through Wevelgem (15), Menen (16) and Geluveld (16a)
Exact route: Unknown
The route continued through Wevelgem and Menen. After that Hitler was driven past Geluveld, where he saw the first action when he was there in WW1. The cars were headed to Ieper.
WEVELGEM & MENEN & GELUVELD
Wevelgem
Menen
Geluveld Castle. Here Hitler’s regiment in WW1 lost its first commander, called List.
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
On June the first, 1940 Hitler was driven through Belgium and the north of France. He met several army generals, but there was also time for some visites to locations that had to do with WW1. After a tour through Brussels and Ieper Hitler went to the German War Cemetery in Langemark where the name of Julius List, the commander of Hitler’s regiment in the beginning of WW1 who died during Hitler’s first battle, is engraved in a stone marker. The mentioned locations are in Belgium unless otherwise indicated.
Brussels: 1. Brussels Evere 1a. Tervuurse Laan
2. Triomfboog 3. Wetstraat 3a. Naamse Poort
3b. Louizaplein 4. Palace of Justice 4a. Kleine Zavel 5. Regentschapstraat 5a. Museum voor Oude Kunst 5b. Koningsplein 6. Royal Palace
6a. Koningsstraat 7. Kathedraal van St. Michiels en St. Goedele 8. Grote Markt 9. Kolenmarkt
9a. Beurs, Beursplein 9b. Brouckèreplein 9c. Emile Jacqmainlaan 9d. Antwerpselaan
9e. Laan Leopold II 9f. Keizer-
Outside Brussels: 10. Kapelle-
10a. Asse 11. Werf, Aalst 12. Vlaanderenstraat, Gent 12a. Limburgstraat, Gent
12b. St. Baafskathedraal, Gent 12c. Lakenhal, St. Baafsplain, Gent 12d. Gravensteen, Gent
12e. Castle near Gent 12f. Deinze 12g. Kortrijk 13. Marktplein, Ardooie (detour) 14. Airport Bissegem 15. Wevelgem 16. Menen 16a. Geluveld 17. Meensepoort, Ieper 18. Lakenhal, Ieper
19. German War Cemetery, Langemark
20. Boezinge 21. Poperinge 22. Kemmelberg
23 Wijtschate 23a. Mesen 23b. Comines
24. Wervik 25. Tourcoing 26. Place du Théatre, Lille 27. Rue Faidherbe, Lille
28. Place de la Gare, Lille 29. Rue de Tournai, Lille 30. Chateau de Brigode, Lille (Annappes)
HISTORICAL HITLER SITES
Belgium and France, June 1, 1940 weergeven op een grotere kaart
Lille (France)
Part of the route:
-
-
-
-
Before goimg to the Chateau de Brigode in Annappes, Hitler was driven through the city of Lille. In the period between January and July 1916 Hitler often went to Lille when he was on a leave. Sometimes he went to the Théatre de l’Opera. At other times he just wandered through the city. (source: Weber, 2010)
The cars near the station Lille Flandres (picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
The station today
(picture: fr.wikipedia.org)
LILLE (FRANCE)
(picture: wikipedia)
Hitler in front of the Chateau de Brigode (picture: Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940)
ANNAPPES
Chateau de Brigode in Annappes (picture: Mathot, 2001)
Werf (11)
Exact route: Hitler past a street called Werf (meaning ‘shipyard’) near the channel in Aalst. The cars probably took a turn into the Molenstraat there, heading for Gent.
Aalst was the next place on the route. The cars didn’t stop at Aalst.
AALST
Hitler at the Werf in Aalst
(Mathot, 2001)
Exact route: Unknown
Hitler passed though Deinze and Kortrijk. After that he is said to have been taking a detour past Ardooie after that.
DEINZE & KORTRIJK