Bastogne Barracks

Bastogne Barracks is the largest tank museum in this area and has some superb and unique vehicles. This former army barracks are still under control by the Belgian army and this maintains and preserves the entire vehicle inventory. It has some preserved tanks outside the buildings, wrecks and relics (damaged original unpreserved vehicles), maintenance garages, a building with artillery/ AAA pieces and two large halls which house their top exhibits: one hall with vehicles which participated in the Siege of Bastogne and a second hall with many more ww2 tanks and vehicles.

The main hall dedicated to the Siege of Bastogne has several types which were used (some even retrieved from that battlefield!) during the battles all around Bastogne December 1944 (and following battles). A German SdKfz7/2 with 37mm Flak and a Panzerbefehlswagen IV Ausfuhrung J are both in winter camouflage. An Hetzer, Willy’s Jeep, M5 Stuart, M4 Sherman 105mm, M4A1 Sherman 76mm, M16 4x.50” Halftrack, M29 Weasel and US Dodge Truck all together adorn this hall. The M4 105mm Sherman is marked with the ‘First to Bastogne’ text on its side, just as the Sherman on one of the well-known Siege of Bastogne photographs. Some authentic small battlefield relics are displayed in the back of the hall.

M4A1 Sherman 76mm:

Panzerbefehlswagen IV Ausfuhrung J:

Other vehicles Siege of Bastogne Hall:

The second World War 2 hall has some unique and wonderfully preserved vehicles. Among them a British Matilda II, German modified French Renault UE tractor: Sicherungsfahrzeug UE, Renault UE tractor in French colors and markings, Valentine Mk.IX in Russian colors (Lend Lease Program), Russian ISU152, German StuG III Ausf.F/8, M3 Grant with complete visible interior, Humber Mk.III, DUKW, Sexton, Sherman Recovery tank, Kangaroo (turretless Sherman) an many more artillery, AAA, trucks and other vehicles. It must be said that all these tanks and vehicles are carefully restored and maintained (the interiors also) – most are still in running conditions. Even the sometimes wooden parts seem untouched, orignal and pristine…

M3 Lee:

DUKW:

Ohter vehicles general WW2 Hall:

Among the wrecks and relics surrounding the terrain can be found 25 Pounder artillery, “Long Tom” artillery, T34 parts, SdKfz251 parts, jeeps/ trucks/ artillery/ AAA, recovery trucks and tanks, M2’s, Cromwell’s and various cold war era tanks. The Maintenance Garages had some tanks being maintained; among them a Russian IS3. Some other tanks were in nicely preserved conditions exhibited outside the buildings.

On this same area, but not connected from the Barracks area, are the Bastogne War Rooms. An exhibit with Siege of Bastogne relics, items, tales and information; all very modern and educative! These War Rooms are accessible by another gate from the outside.