Former German Training Ground Maasmechelen

During the First World War, the German army had a military training ground built in this area, traces of which can still be seen today.

The location was put into use in May 1916 as a training centre for new recruits of the Fourth Army's Minenwerferschule (mine launcher school). Here, they spent three weeks learning how to use these special mortars before going to the front.

A system of trenches, bomb craters and bunkers was constructed, allowing the soldiers to practise combat situations in conditions that were as realistic as possible.

The former barracks camp has disappeared, but the traces of the shell craters and trenches are still clearly visible here and there in the terrain. A number of bunkers have also been preserved in varying states.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Hans Sijtsma
• - https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/126614