Just returned from Holland and managed another trip to Belgium and Chaudfontaine, suburb of Liege. My Father was billeted there before their advance toward La Roache. The following photos might interest one or two of you. This photo was taken January 1st 1945. Signed on the reverse by the family of the house where my Father was billeted.
Imagine how surprised and delighted I was to find that some of the Family still live close by. Nicolas (88) who actually took the picture and his wife Georgette (86). I spent 3 wonderful hours with them as they proceded to tell me of their experiences of the Scottish soldiers. Nicolas went on to serve with the Belgian brigade of the British army and fought at the Rhine crossing and Goch.
My Father told me that there was a casino nearby, where he spent his first night in Chaudfontaine. It had been totally stripped of anything of any value, including the wall coverings. Georgette took great delight in explaining that the officer would walk along the rows of parading soldiers with his little mirror on a stick.!!!! One of the first things she told me, with a large glint in her eye, was that Scottish soldiers have nothing under their kilts.!!! She told me that the Luftwaffe bombed and strafed the hotel opposite (left of photo, casino is to back of photo) because Montgomery was there, but apparently they were a day early. I do not know how true it is.
Yes.... I know that this is "Then & Now for WW2" but I couldn't resist posting this one relating to the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. On the 9th of May my wife & I returned from a trip to Prague. Whilst in Wenceslas Square I took a snap of the lesser known part of the square with one's back to the St.Wenceslas monument. In the Sunday Times of May 11th, in the colour supplement, there was an article entitled "1968-The Summer of Hate" which featured photos by Josef Koudelka of the scene in Wenceslas Square. Now see my "Then & Now" photo.
