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Natural Monuments

Invasion Monument – Messerschmitt Bf 108 Monument + artwork

Natural Monuments

Invasion Monument – Messerschmitt Bf 108 Monument + artwork

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Invasion Monument – Messerschmitt Bf 108 Monument + artwork

Recommended by 25 hikers out of 26

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Location: Maasmechelen, Tongeren, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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Tips

Katrien

July 21, 2023

On January 10, 1940, a German liaison aircraft of the Messerschmitt Bf 108 type took off from the airfield in Münster with destination Cologne. On board were the pilot, Major Erich Hönmann, and a passenger, Major Helmut Reinberger. The latter was on his way to a staff meeting of the German 7.Flieger-Division in Cologne. The pilot lost his way in the fog and had to make an emergency landing due to lack of fuel. The emergency landing was successful and both occupants survived the impact. They did not know then that they had arrived on Belgian territory, near Maasmechelen, a town about 15 km north of Maastricht.

Soldiers from a nearby border post approached the crash and saw a man in a uniform jacket burning papers. The fire was kicked out and the remains of the documents were confiscated. The two German majors were taken for questioning. At the command post, the passenger made another attempt to obtain documents with the intention of destroying them. This could be prevented by quick action by a Belgian captain. It was not surprising that Major Reinberger did his best. The documents turned out to be the German operational orders for the German Heeresgruppe B for the invasion of Belgium and the Netherlands: "Fall Gelb".

Source: tracesofwar.nl/sights/1262/Invasiemonument---Monument-Messerschmitt-Bf-108.htm

Translated by Google •

Katrien

July 21, 2023

The artwork "Water event" made of blue stone was made by artist Rik Bloemen. It was placed here in 2005.
An aesthetically pleasing column of water in five stacked monumental blocks alludes to the unusual event of a gushing waterfall.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 100 m

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Location: Maasmechelen, Tongeren, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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Invasion Monument – Messerschmitt Bf 108 Monument + artwork

1. View from Tweelingterril – Bench with a view loop from Schietskuil

2. The Maas Cross – Maasvallei River Landscape loop from Mechelen-aan-de-Maas

3. Maasvallei River Landscape – The Maas Cross loop from Vucht

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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