Ciney Here We Come....................

Year in, year out, I always seem to promise myself a visit to Ciney Militaria, reputedly Europe's biggest militaria fair. And I never get around to it.

So - I've resolved that 2013 will be the year ! 28th April is the date, the Hotel is booked and I've just made the Eurotunnel booking. I'm going with a friend from the Mosquito Museum ( he's restoring a Kettenkrad and needs to pick up parts from dealers at the Fair ). He's also never been to the Ardennes and wants a quick tour of some of the vestiges.

So hopefully, a nice weekend to look forward to.......

 

Lucky you! Watch out for the Chinese fakes there. They are dangerously good looking and they are invading the fair a little more each year. You'll love the place , it's just huge.

 

Yes - I shan't be buying any Knights Crosses with swords and oakleaf cluster......

Actually, there's nothing much I really 'need', probably silly little things like Scho-Ka-Kola tins or a Zeltbahn. Really it's more a 'boy's weekend away' - a fun trip sampling Belgian beer, frites avec mayo, hopefully a quick drive to La Gleize to see the King Tiger.......

 

Sounds Wonderful. May I suggest the visit of the Citadelle de Dinant. You can only access it with a lift but once you are there it's something incredible you'll see. Dutch Napoleonic canons, WWI and WWII accounts etc... In 1914 Germans and French got stuck there and fought each other with blank knives and bayonets to the last man.

LA CITADELLE DE DINANT





During WW2 it was occupied by a FLAK unit and later MARINE FLAK and SS. I was shelled by the Americans in 1944 but restored .

 

Glad to see you've now confirmed your trip, Martin.

I'll get to Ciney someday but for now I'm trying to save my money for the special piece of militaria that I told you about.

Some of the Chinese copies are indeed quite good, the gas mask canisters and bayonets in particular, but if you look closely you will tell them from the real thing. Even some of the repro Zeltbahns are very good, so make sure you scrutinise them before buying.

 

That's why a lot of my stuff is in 'salty' condition with rips and tears.....when the Chinese start faking inert shells and Nebelwerfer projectiles, I'll give up !

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they have.

 

OK then - I'll really give up when Ciney closes down and moves to Beijing as a CGI..............with Pancake Rolls instead of frites.....

 

That's a matter of time. After all there is 150.000 middle class population now and many of them will start collection militaria. Thye will probably start with Chinese and Japanese material, but as you know the Swastika sells , so sooner or late they will not only make for westerns , but also for themselves and when they can get their hands on the real thing they are certainly not going to let it go by. I don't know whether you are into stamps as well, but it's amazing how Chinese pre-war stamps are bought almost systematically on Ebay by Chinese collectors. There are millions of collectors and very few were made , so they get everything they can.

 

OK - I'll be ready for 'em ! They'll have to prise my tatty Zeltbahnen and rusty Scho-Ka-Kola tins from my cold, dead hands !

 

They will Martin, a rusty box that was touched by Martin is worth even more .

This one got some militaria first!

 

Only a week to go..............................................................

 

If you are interested in a day tour through the Ardennes I can recommend Reg Jans but I am not sure if he is still available because of his busy schedule.

http://www.regjans.com/

Regards,
Frank

 

Thank you, Frank ! By coincidence, I was just sitting here with my maps and thinking of where to go. I'm lucky to have enjoyed many walking and touring holidays in the Ardennes - my friend who is also coming has never been there before so I will be driving to some of the better-known landmarks ( eg the La Gleize King Tiger and the Grandmenil Panther, etc ) plus some more out-of-the-way places where traces of battle can still be seen.

I love the Ardennes and I'm looking forward to being there again, even though only for a short weekend.

 

We expect a full after action report on your return, Martin, including lots of photos!

Have a great!

Do you have any photographs to show of your friends Kettenkrad project?

 

Hello John,

No, I haven't as yet but I'm sure I can sort some out......anyhow, I'll definitely be taking a camera along next weekend ( along with some specially-minted 3 Euro coins for any Skipper-type bargains ! )

 

Do you realise that Skipper type bargains are reserved for the locals...us outsiders would have no chance!

 

The museum in La Gleize has been closed last year. Only a monument and the Tiger tank are still there.

 

It was open last August when I was there.

The museum next to the Mardasson Memorial was, however, closed. Looks like they had a fire in the building.

 

I expect an invite next time Martin...You sure get out and about mate.