Former Barracks Gardes Frontière

This is the former barracks of the "Gardes Frontière" at Hombourg.

This barracks was built in 1935 and located in the outer area of Hombourg.

The barracks were intended for the so-called 'cyclistes frontières', frontier cyclists, who guarded the borders. They moved by bicycle on patrol and to the surrounding bunkers in the Hombourg sector and adjacent sectors. During World War II, the barracks were used by the German army. After World War II, the barracks were used to house German prisoners.

The barracks have been disbanded since 1949 and have been used by the municipality of Plombières since 1979.

Other barracks of "cyclistes frontières" were located in Visé, Eupen, Verviers and Henri-Chapelle, among others.

Photo 5 shows the bicycle with equipment that was used by the troops. This bike is in the museum of Museum of Fort Aubin-Neufchateau. A heavy bicycle without gears with which to overcome the various hills in the rolling countryside. The soldiers of Les cyclistes frontières, had to have a special condition if they had to move the weight of the bike with equipment in their uniform between the barracks and the various bunkers.

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Source

• Text: Ed Lewandowski
• Photos: Ed Lewandowski (1, 2, 3, 4), Ed Lewandowski (5)