egbert Posted 8 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2012 Close up. These soldiers were all killed in action at notorious "Unterer Rehfelsen", a rock formation that is about to come soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 8 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2012 Inside the machine gallery built by 8./LIR 56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 8 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2012 We left the "walking" part and started the steep ascend. Netting wire everywhere that once protected the first line trenches against hand grenades and other nasty stuff thrown in by the enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 8 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2012 Memorial to 4 brave soldiers from LIR 56 that were buried here, right above the bored galleries. The original plate (see below) was destroyed in the 80s by scumbags. They also threw the skeletons in the 4 winds..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 8 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2012 Again- plaque with full view of entrance to galleries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 8 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2012 This is the same place- THEN. You notice the plaque above the entrance and the memorial stone to the 4 fallen soldiers on the right side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 8 October , 2012 Share Posted 8 October , 2012 Fantastic thread Egbert. Looking forward to your future postings on it Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Andy, you are the fifth interested person in this Vosges thread -congrats-that's almost a breakthrough here on GWF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 9 October , 2012 Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Fabuluous pics, Egbert. Like the Germans only left yesterday. Do you need to be an experienced climber to get to these places? Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithjk Posted 9 October , 2012 Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Excellent thread Egbert. Fascinating that, although Mother Nature has restored the area to it's former beauty, so many relics of the war still remain. My 5-day trip a few years ago barely scratched the surface. It has also prompted me to explore your two previous threads. As one of those Brits who is not solely concerned with the Somme and Ypres, I will definitely be visiting the Vosges again, for a longer period this time. Many thanks Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 One more, great. Roel, for this trip here you need really good constitution and endurance, nothing for the non-exercised. The paths up sometimes are pretty steep. It is not like Alpine climbing, but yes a rather strenuous way up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Next pictures are from passing the beautifully preserved trench systems called "Lippische Schweiz". A marvel for trench enthusiasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 The Lippische Schweiz is a fortification system on the way up consisting of trenches, bunkers, galleries etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 View from inside a bunker towards the French front line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Even the wood paneling inside the bunkers is still genuine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Walking along... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 This image clearly shows the climbing aids for reaching the firestep (center part of image); enemy to the left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Entrance to Operation Centre of Minenwerfer Abteilung , 82th Landwehrbrigade, dated 1916 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 9 October , 2012 Share Posted 9 October , 2012 The Germans did know how to make a trench system! Keep em coming egbert, I cant believe how well preserved they are. Regards Sean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Sean, this is for you: (We are still in Lippische Schweiz system.) Looking up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Fire steps and climbing aids in this labyrinth of trenches, dug-outs and bunkers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2012 It takes some time on the path up if you do not ignore to explore the deep galleries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spconnolly007 Posted 9 October , 2012 Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Sean, this is for you: (We are still in Lippische Schweiz system.) Looking up! Thanks egbert, looks like the wifes gastronomic tour might get cut short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 9 October , 2012 Share Posted 9 October , 2012 Roel, for this trip here you need really good constitution and endurance, nothing for the non-exercised. The paths up sometimes are pretty steep. It is not like Alpine climbing, but yes a rather strenuous way up That explains why it's all still there! Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 10 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 10 October , 2012 Lippische Schweiz system continues .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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