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Author Archives: Andreas Zapf
Back on Track…
With my other project momentarily finished and the material from the Bundesarchiv in Freiburg now on my computer, I have restarted working on The War Diary. Plenty of new material also means some more thoughts had to go into the … Continue reading
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New Material coming in…
As you know, I have been “hunting” new material for this web site – some of it coming from the Bundesarchiv/Militärarchiv in Freiburg, and also from reviewing some of the items left behind by my grandfather that have not received … Continue reading
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Got Facebook? There is a Page to keep you informed about Updates…
Like what you found here? Also got Facebook? Guess what, we have a way to make it easier for you to follow this site and discover new entries quickly and easily. Go to our Facebook page – give us a … Continue reading
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About the things to come
On this day, a century ago, my grandfather Hans Zapf was born in the city of Oschatz in Saxony. I don’t recall much of him, except for an old man sitting in his chair, solving his crossword-puzzles. I cannot remember … Continue reading
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May 30, 1940 – In Flanders Fields
The Battle of Belgium is over, at least for my grandfather’s unit. While Allied troops continue to withdraw from Dunkirk (and in the end, more than 330.000 men will have been successfully evacuated) my grandfather and his Commanding Officer are … Continue reading
May 28, 1940 – The Belgian Army surrenders
The remains of the Belgian Army which were now located in the area southeast of the city of Bruges on the flat country side, the sea in their backs, had no further options – they could not free themselves, there … Continue reading
May 27, 1940 – “Operation Dynamo” begins
The situation is now getting desperate for the Allied forces – the Daily Reports are providing the following information: “A Belgian peace negotiator shows with with XI. Corps, asking for a cease fire. We demanded unconditional surrender. No further details … Continue reading
May 26, 1940 -The Fighting continues
The guns are still in their firing positions at St. Louis (1), east of Courtrai. Their targets for the day (or rather the night and the day) are Lichtervelde (2) and Pittem (3). Their rounds are going straight into the … Continue reading
May 24, 1940 – Over the Scheldt River to St. Louis
Between Ghent and Courtrai, the Wehrmacht had managed to break the last defensive line of the Allied forces, the mass of seven Infantry Divisions has crossed the river Lys. Note: at that time, an Infanry Division roughly counted 18.000 men … Continue reading
May 23, 1940
While there is nothing to note in my grand fathers diary, there are photos from their battery at Klijpe. That seems to be one of the guns, with the second one setup nearby… In the north, the Wehrmacht captured Terneuzen … Continue reading