Greetings from Belgium.

[Colt_H]

Hello, my name is Kjell Baetslé, born and raised in Ghent, Belgium. If you are wondering why I use Colt as username, it is not a reference to the weapon, it is something I found whilst trying to find the meaning of my name (turns out to be "helmet"), and Colt was a variation of my name.

I presume that I am one of the younger members, I am 19 years old and have been interrested in WW2 for as long as I can remember.

I am from Ghent, my father as well, but my mother was born and raised in Köln (cologne I presume) my grandfather was part of the occupying forces there.


I am quite interrested in the start of the conflict in Europe, even more so then the end, I have studied the Invasion of Belgium and France allot of times and have read numerous books. As for individuals that I try to get to know more about, those would be: Rommel, Dönitz, Eisenhower, and a Belgium lieutennant (correct spelling?) called Ainsquer.

As hobby's I have; Drumming, video game development (more specific, mapping and sound development), collecting items/information concerning WW2, I have a room full of books and I am planning on filling up my PC with information as well.

I try and understand the second and first world war as best as I can, I try not to take sides, something that I see quite often and is commonly accepted. Half of my family was killed during WW2 and yet I try to be neutral on information that is given.

I would like to ask you if there is anyone here that knows a great source for video footage? I do not care which "side" made it but I would prefer if it were related to WW2 and shot between 1936-1946, more specific, I would like speeches, propaganda, and so on. Preferably not edited and no documentary's.

I have quite allot of information about the invasion of Germany in Belgium but anything that you know might be of interrest to me. My great grandfather, which I have known for some years, fought during the invasion and was part of an artillery regiment, upon capture he was sent to a concetration camp (I have no idea if this term is used in English as well.) and when he was released he joined the resistance, I have pile's of information from him, medals and whatnot, even a signed letter from Eisenhower showing his gratitude to the work that has been done by the resistance. I have also found letters from him to his wife written on a piece of advertisent given to him while he was in said concetration camp.

To make a long story short, Hello.
If there is anyone with questions, do ask. And if anyone has "raw" footage would you be so kind to link me?

as a last note, I am quite alone in this interrest, noone I know is interrested in WW2 like I am, that is why I found this place and registered.
If you find any spelling errors or gramatical ones, I know that they're there but give me some credit.


Thanks in advance,

Kjell Baetslé

[IBBARR]

Welcome to the forum Kjell.

[Slipdigit]

Howdy Colt, Welcome

thumb through this site

Internet Archive Search: wwii

[Skipper]

Welcome Colt this is a great place and I'm sure some us of will be able to help

[JagdtigerI]

Hello Colt, glad to have you with us!

[Robby101st]

welcome here,
im from Holland and also just registered...
have fun

[Colt_H]

Thanks for the welcomes.
If anyone might be interested I live in an area heavily bombed by the allies and there are numerous bunkers near my house. I can go out and take pictures if need be. We had to evacuate 5 times in 2 years because they were defusing a bomb.

[Greg Canellis]

Welcome Colt. I look forward to reading your posts. Enjoy your stay.

Greg C.

[PzJgr]

Howdy Colt and welcome to the forum. Glad to have you with us. You will find this forum enlightening so please, jump in and ask questions. Happy Posting!

[Skipper]

Originally Posted by Colt_H

Thanks for the welcomes.
If anyone might be interested I live in an area heavily bombed by the allies and there are numerous bunkers near my house. I can go out and take pictures if need be. We had to evacuate 5 times in 2 years because they were defusing a bomb.

By all means I'd love to see those bunker pictures

[Kai-Petri]

Hello Colt, and welcome!!

Something you might like to comment about? I used to read as much about the fortress as possible but perhaps you can help us with your info and views and bring the thread into life again. Thanx!

Eben Emael failed?

[Colt_H]

These are the somehwat older pictures I took.


The first bunker is one that does not resemble the other ones I've seen, although it is possitioned almost directly ontop of a former oil storage "facility". As you can see, it is topled over.


These are the ones most common around my neighbourhood, I do however think that they are WW1 bunkers by the Germans and a part of the "Hollandstellung".


And the one behind our house.



And the war cassualties from my town, back then that was half the population there.



Not the best pictures ever, and I'll do them again soon. If the weather starts improving that is.

[dgmitchell]

Hello Colt and welcome to this fine place! Please keep those photos coming!

Cheers!

[macrusk]

Welcome Kjell. I always appreciate seing young people who are interested in the history of WWII. There are several on the Forum. I hope you enjoy yourself here!

Thank you for the photos. I would love to hear more about your grandfather. There is a thread for sharing WWII documents, if you would care to share any of those you mention in your original post.

[thompson]

welcome,
on the forum, have a great time !


(Eindelijk nog iemand uit belgië)

Thompson

[colletorww2]

Hello and Welcome Kjell! You mentioned that you like:

collecting items/information concerning WW2

Do you mean that you are also a militaria collector? (Btw, you are not one of the youngest on the forum).

[Skipper]

excellent pictures , it makes me want to visit them

[Totenkopf]

Welcome Colt! To our Humble Home!

[greglewis]

Hi Colt
Tell us more about your grandfather.
I am very interested in the Belgian resistance and the Comete evasion line.
I wrote a book on many people involved in the resistance in the Hasselt, Liege and Ardennes areas.
What was your grandfather's name?
Greg

[greglewis]

By the way, I'm new too and just finding my way around.

[applevalleyjoe]

Kjell, welcome to the forums. I can see that you will be another fine on-site resource. Appreciate your pictures. Thanks.

[Colt_H]

Thanks for all the really nice reply's, something you do not see very often.

I will take my time tomorrow to reply every single question and maybe some time this weekend I'll try and scan some of the documents. Also some of them are labeled "secret" (not top secret, mind you) is there an expiry date on secrecy? or am I free to post them around here? They are American, sent in the name of Eisenhower.

[LRusso216]

A belated welcome, Kjell. That was a great intro, and the pictures are well worth it. Thanks for posting. Keep up the good work, but I would suggest that you post future items in areas where they will get more views. World War II Today, or World War II General probably fit the bill.

Happy posting.