Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

My climb up Hartmannsweilerkopf (HWK)


egbert

Recommended Posts

egbert & Gwyn

Thank you for your explaination. I was brought up to believe that WW1 was fought over the flat fields and low rolling hills around France and into Belgium. Nothing was mentioned about rugged hills / mountains. This has been an onging education and I thank you for sharing it.

Tony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gwyn, the lower picture is "Himmelsleiter" the first, top photo is "Feste Bamberg". We have now passed both places and are at, on and inside Mittlerer Rehfelsen.

Tony, this thread is just at the beginning. I guess you few bunch, interested in the Vosges mountain battles , will see some more....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, just tell me which post / pictures to delete! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gwyn, leave them where they are. The forum has no feature to insert a new/updated post between to other older posts. It is better to keep them there than to delete them. So we all understand your pictures show a) top= Feste Bamberg and

b )bottom one is definitely "Himmelsleiter".

For better understanding I have enclosed a then and now from the Himmelsleiter-picture. But as I said, I did not visit that place although it was only some 50 m away from my standpoint. Credit for Then and now: JIIBE from French forum 14-18

post-80-0-55585900-1350336575_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's about time I get myself up there... been living in Strasbourg for two years now and have not found the time. Meanwhile, thanks for those nice pictures and walking ideas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks David, and before Marilyne walks the wrong paths, lets continue with Mittlerer Rehfelsen. Please be patient with me, but I have to resize and crop hundreds of pictures , that's why they always come in increments.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't worry... I'll have my compass with me !!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My jumping-off point are images #123 and 124.

This is a picture about the same view post war where all the utter destruction of the forests are visible and that is evidence of the gruesome battles who raged here

post-80-0-88475700-1350391356_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am standing on the rock formation "Mittlerer Rehfelsen" that also houses a fortress, named "Feste Heiligenstedt" which has deep galleries, bored corridors and the already mentioned MG embrasures, directed towards Unterer Rehfelsen for mutual protective fire.

post-80-0-28127800-1350391883_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You might want to scroll back to post #97 in order to understand where we are here. This is one of the depicted MG embrasures pointing towards the U.R. ridge

post-80-0-01920800-1350392607_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know how you remember all these details, Egbert. Do you make notes?

Exploring with a very knowledgeable companion has enabled you to share a far more intimate view of Hartmannswillerkopf than most people would ever get to see. Thanks.

Gwyn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gwyn, I bow to your compliment! Well, I am busy with HWK since 2 years and read a lot of German accounts and books from war participants - like the one from Hans Killian who introduced mortar warfare to the HWK. No I do not take notes -most is in my head and maps/images/audio files are on my laptop. If I do not know special details I consult excellent German and French websites to broaden my HWK-horizon. But there are guys out there who are real specialists and I know when to contact them

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It reminds me of a large zig saw puzzle where you start off with a jumble of pieces and slowly as its put together the complete picture slowly appears. The then and now photographs bring it all together. The photographs are very good and I am really looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Tony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the tour-based approach through the topic and the thread, good stuff Mr Egbert!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. I must admit that a poster can only be as good or motivated as the readers feed back. So in this sense it is also me who has to thank you for all the comments and questions.

Next images will follow today

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fabulous photos and fascinating narrative, as ever, Egbert. It must have crossed your mind that there is a guided-tour business opportunity here, if you choose to develop it ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mick, if you join the new company, I am ready....

Ok, we are still on/in/at Mittlerer Rehfelsen (M.R.). Remember-the Swiss cheese rock formation. Feste Heiligenstedt has more than one access. Here is the main entrance with beautiful ornaments and constructor sign. Feste Heiligenstedt is named after its commander Heiligenstedt, Jäger-Feld- Btl 9

post-80-0-32560000-1350485397_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...