Old year, new years day and right after that -
Adolf Hitler’s regiment has a 4 days rest.
January 3 -
January 6 -
The regiment goes to the village of Messines for a rest. They find shelter in the ‘Kloster’ and in cellars of different houses. Adolf Hitler is part of the regiment staff, that had headquarters at the Betlehem Ferme.
January 9 -
The regiment goes back to the front line near Messines.
January 24 -
The ‘Befehlstelle’ of the first batallion lays under fire. The commanders go to new ‘Stützpunkte’ at the ‘Bad-
January 30 -
The regiment gets replaced.
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Somewhere in February – St. Elooi
Hitler’s Regiment, says Hitler in a letter, is ‘left’ of Eloi (‘where the English were beaten’). This must be St. Elooi (Belgium), south of Ieper. There’s a war memorial on the Armetierseweg. Near St. Elooi, along the the Voormezelestraat, is the location of the Bayernwald, but that’s not ‘left of Eloi’.
February -
February 5 -
The first batallion marches through Werwicq to the crossing near Molière, because king Ludwig III comes there to visit the troops.
March -
According to a vague description the regiment or parts of it spent 6 days in Comines.
March 8/9 -
At night the regiment is replaced. They go to Tourcoing to serve as Reserve Troops. Their location is the ‘Kronprinz-
On March 10 –13 the battle of Neuve-
March 10 -
To get to Neuve-
March 12/13 -
The trenches in the area are enlarged, but the Germans are not able to take the village.
March 13/14 -
At night the regiments marches from the front lines to Marquillies: Quartier at Salomé. The shelter for the 1st batallion was at Petit Hantay and La Bourse. The Regiment staf goes to Grand and Petit Moisnil.
Lille Tourcoing weergeven op een grotere kaart
WARNETON -
Warneton -
Location: Unknown
On December 31, 1914 Adolf Hitler’s regiment goes to Warneton -
NEUVE-
English War Cemeteries
Location: Rue du Moulin, behind the houses (signs lead the way)
Today: Still there
Hitler's regiment was in the battle of Neuve-
Neuve Chapelle weergeven op een grotere kaart
A complete ruined street of Neuve-
Bois du Biez (woods of Biez)
Location: Rue du bois du Biez
Today: Still there and there are stull bunkers In the woods
The first and third batallion of Hitler’s regiment went through the Bois du Biez (woods of Biez) and waited on the edge of the woods for the attack on Neuve-
Ferme de Biez
Location: Unknown
Today: Unknown
During the battle of Neuve-
FOURNES-
Fournes en Weppes weergeven op een grotere kaart
Above: Hitler in the Rue Faidherbe, 1915 (picture: Meijer, 1934)
Centre, above: The 1st company at the Schloßallee in Fournes, May 1915 (picture: Solleder, 1932)
Centre, below: Graveyard German soldiers in 1915 in Fournes
(picture: Solleder, 1932)
Right: The church of Fournes
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
Brewery Le Febre
Location: Unknown
This location is connected to the rumour of Hitler being a homosexual. All that can be said is that the location is indeed a location Fournes that had to do with the German troops of WW1. The Erinnerungsblätter of the List Regiment (Solleder, 1932) mention the location. Hitler must have been there, since the village is not that big. But that is, off course, no proof of Hitler’s assumed feelings for the male gender.
Chateau/ Schloss
Location: Unknown, but there is a Avenue du Chateau in the village
The Erinnerungsblätter of the List Regiment (Solleder, 1932) mention the castle of Fournes as a place where German troops of commanders were stationed. According to Weber (2010) Hitler worked at the castle of Fromelles (and not Founes) for three days and at the regiment headquarters in Fournes for three days a week. Where the castle was, remains a mystery.
Unterstand
Location: Unknown
Hitler made sketches of an Unterstand (shelter) in 1915. Russel (2006) says the Unterstand was near Fromelles. Joachimsthaler (1989) thinks it’s the Ruhequartier of the German Ordonanzen in Fournes, called Zur Schwarzen Marie. Fournes and Fromelles are not that far apart, though. The sketches were coloured and worked over by an artist after 1933.
Three drawings of the Unterstand ‘Zur Schwarzen Marie’. The first one looks a little different, but it must be the same house from a slightly different perspective. The coloured drawing (Russel 2006) is worked over by an artist after 1933. The bike of the first sketch (Joachimsthaler, 1989) and the plank standing against the wall of the second (Joachimsthaler, 1989) are both of the third picture. All three pictures show the same stairs next to the house.
Rote Banke and the House mit weissem Zaun
Location: Rue Delval (on the corner of the road to Pétillon) Look at the map for the exact locations.
Today: Unknown, but there are still houses there.
Hitler knew the area the Germans called the Rote Banke very well. He drew a picture of the ‘Haus mit weissem Zaun’ that was also on the Rue Delval.
FROMELLES (FRANCE) more about Fromelles here
A map of the front near Fromelles, May 1915
(Solleder, 1932)
Fromelles May 1915 weergeven op een grotere kaart
Fromelles 1916
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
The Graveyard
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
The church of Fromelles
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
House between Fromelles and Aubers
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
A trench near Fromelles
(picture: Joachimsthaler, 1989)
Shelters near Fromelles
(picture: Solleder, 1934)
House on the Gartenstrasse between Fromelles and Aubers, 1916
(picture: Solleder, 1932)
House between Fromelles and Aubers
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
Trenches near Fromelles in May 1915
(picture: Joachimsthaler, 1989)
This map shows the Gefechtsbefehlstelle of RIR 16 in Fromelles and the location of the Regimentsstab building in Fournes in 1915. (Joachimsthaler, 1989)
The bunker today
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2007)
Befehlstelle Bayern
Location: Unknown
The book Adolf Meijer made about the First World War shows a picture of the Befehlstelle Bayern. Hitler must have know the place.
Dachau
Location: Rue Delval (look at the map for the exact location)
Today: Unknown
The Germans gave German names to the locations of the area’s they were at. An area at one of the ends of the Rue Delval was called Dachau. Every Meldegänger in the area must have known the place.
Deleval Ferme
Location: Rue Delval (exact location unknown)
Today: Unknown
Another marking point in the area was the Deleval Ferme.
Senling of Pionierpark Sendling
Location: Somewhere behind the front line
The book of Adolf Meijer shows a picture of a place called Senling. It’s another location that might be hard to find back. Adolf Meyer met Hitler for the second time at the Pionierpark Sendling. He writes that on this occasion Hitler had to bring officers from the Pionierpark to the front.
Stützpunkt Starnberg
Location: Somewhere between the Deleval-
Today: Unknown
Adolf Meyer, who wrote the book ‘Mit Adolf Hitler im Bayerischen Reserve Infanterie Regiment 16 List’ says that he met Hitler here in 1915 for the first time.
Truppenverbandplatz
Location: Unknown
Another building Solleder mentions is the Spital or Truppenverbandplatz, a fieldhospital, in Fromelles.
Fromelles Station
Location: Unknown
There’s no railway running through Fromelles anymore. In WW1 there was. The picture below shows a ruined station.
Since Hitler had become a dispatch runner in November 1914, he spent most of his time at the regiment headquarters. That means that he did not take part of the action that took place in the front line. In the beginning of 1915 Hitler was in Messines, but the maps of the Messines area are on the 1914 page. After Messines Hitler’s regiment went to the region of Neuve-
MESEN (MESSINES) (BELGIUM)
Whereabouts of Hitler’s regiment in november/december 1914
Location: Rijselstraat, Kortemooistraat. The regiment is in the trenches or is building new ones in the area.
Today: The rebuilt Betlehem Farm and the rebuilt church are still there.
From January 6 until the beginning of March the regiment is mainly in the region of Mesen. For pictures look here.
When the regiment is replaced and split up to go to several locations in Messines, Comines and Warneton on January 30, the regiment headquarters are in Messines/Comines. Hitler must have been there too.
TOURCOING (FRANCE)
Kronprinz-
Location: Rue de Chènes Houpline
Today: Unknown
On March 8/9 1915 Hitler’s regiment was replaced to Tourcoing to serve as reserve regiment. They find shelter inside what the Germans called the Kronprinz-
Station Tourcoing
Location: Place Pierre Sémard
Today: The above mentioned station is the modern station of Tourcoing. It’s not sure Hitler's regiment took the train at this station.
To get to Neuve-
ST. ELOOI (BELGIUM)
‘Left of St. Elooi’
Location: Unknown
Adolf Hitler says in a letter that somewhere in February the regiment is ‘left’ of Eloi (‘where the English were beaten’). This must have been St. Elooi (Belgium), south of Ieper. There’s a war memorial on the Armetierseweg. Near St. Elooi, along the the Voormezelestraat, is the location of the Bayernwald, but that’s not ‘left of Eloi’.
The war memorial in St. Elooi
(picture: the Hitlerpages, 2009)
WERVIK -
Wervik -
Location: Unknown
On February 5 the first batallion of Adolf Hitler’s regiment marches through Wervik to go to a ‘çrossing near Molière’ (as described in the regiment history). There king Ludwig III visited his troops. If Adolf Hitler was there too, is not clear.
King Ludwig ‘Im Felde’ on
February 2, 1915 (picture: copyright unknown)
COMINES (BELGIUM)
Comines
Location: Unknown
According to a vague description in the regiment history Adolf Hitler’s regiment or parts of it spent 6 days in Comines. If Hitler was there, is unsure.
The area of Lille main station in WW1 (picture: Meijer, 1934)
LILLE (FRANCE)
Lille station
Location: Unknown. The exact station from where the regiment was transported to Marquillies is unknown.
Today: Unknown
Around the 10th of March 1915 Hitler’s regiment was transported from a station in Lille to Marquillies. From there they probably marched to the front near Neuve-
MARQUILLIES (FRANCE)
Marquillies station
Location: Rue Jean Jaures
Today: Rue Jean Jaures is the location of the station today. If that’s the same location as in WW1 is not clear.
Around 10 March Hitler’s regiment was transported by train to Marquillies. From there they went to Wicres, Le Willy and Saighin-
Shelters where the batallions of the regiment went before taking part of the Battle of Neuve-
Exact Locations: Unknown. Since 1915 there’s a war cemetery on the Route de la Bassée in Wicres.
Around the 10th of March 1915 Hitler’s regiment was transported from a station in Lille to Marquillies. From there they marched to the front near Neuve-
WICRES, LE WILLY, SAIGHIN-
Between March 14 and 17 -
Adolf Hitler’s regiment is replaced and travels back towards Lille. They travel from Marquillies to Lille by train.
March 17 until May 1915 -
On March 17 the regiment goes back to Fromelles.
Locations in Fromelles: Rote Banke, Ferme Deleval (area Rue Deleval). The ‘Befehlstelle’is located at Fromelles-
April 22 -
Hitler's regiment takes part in the Second Battle of Ieper. During that battle the Germans used gas for the first time, surprising the allied forces.
May 2 – May 8/9 -
The 1st batallion is at the front. As a member of the regiment staff Adolf Hitler was not at the front, but probably in Fournes-
May 8/9 -
At night the troops go to Fournes. Hitler is said to have made several drawings of a house called ‘Zur Schwarzen Marie’. The house was named after its hostess. The regiment staff was stationed in Fournes-
May 9 (about 10 o’clock) -
Parts of the List regiment ar back at the front. On May 9/10 there’s some heavy fighting going on in the area. Adolf Hitler was stationed in the village of Fournes-
May 10/11 -
The 2nd and 3rd batallion go back to Fournes (partly). Adolf Hitler remains stationed at the Regiment Staff Building.
May 12/13 -
At night the batallions are back at the front line.
May 13-
The 3rd batallion leaves for La Bassee in this period. It’s not sure but Adolf Hitler probably stayed in Fournes.
May 17 -
At night the 9th and 10th company go to La Bassee.
May 18 -
Some of the troops arrive at Violaines. They find shelter in a ‘hof’ (a public garden).
Around May 26 -
The Regiment Staff is located at Fromelles. Adolf Hitler probably was with the rest of the staff.
May 29 -
The second company goes to Wavrin and later on to La Bassee.
May – September -
The regiment stays in the Fromelles area. Some batallions go to La Bassee sometimes.
July 13 -
A training takes place at La Bassee. If Adolf Hitler went to La Bassee in this periode is not known.
September 24/25 -
The 1st and 3rd company join the other troops at La Bassee. It’s very likely the Regiment Staff travelled with them.
October 2-
Parts of the regiment are at La Bassee, near the channel, southwest of Auchy. If Hitler was here remains uncertain. He probably was in La Bassee though.
October 7 -
Hitler becomes a member of the 3rd company. He’s still a member of the 1st batallion.
Autumn 1915 -
Hitler was at La Bassee in the autumn of 1915. It’s not clear when he went there exactly, because the companies of the regiment went there on different dates.
Winter 1915-
In November and December it’s pretty quiet at the front in Fromelles. Most likely, Adolf Hitler and his regiment were back at Fromelles in the winter.
MARQUILLIES -
Quartier at Salomé
Location: Salomé is a village southwest of Marquillies
Today: The village is still there. The location of the ‘quartier’is unknown.
On March 13/14, at night, Hitler’s regiment marches from the front lines back to Marquillies. The regiment staff (including Hitler) goes back too. The regiment stays at Salomé for the night, after that the regiment rests at Petit Hantay and La Bourse. The regiment staff is in Grand and Petit Moisnil.
PETIT HANTAY -
Shelter of the first batallion of the List-
Locations: Petit Hantay: Crossing of Rue Pasteur and Rue Roger Salangro (east of Salomé, south of Marquillies);
La Bourse: On the D22 between the sideways Rue du bois and Rue Roger Salingro, just a little north of Petit Hantay, is a group of houses. This must be La Bourse.
Today: There are houses on both locations.
On March 13/14, at night, Hitler’s regiment marches from the front lines back to Marquillies. The regiment staff (including Hitler) goes back too. The regiment stays at Salomé for the night, after that the regiment rests at Petit Hantay and La Bourse. The regiment staff is in Grand and Petit Moisnil.
GRAND -
Shelter of the regiment staff
Locations: Grand: Unknown, probably near Petit Moisnil; Petit Moisnil: There’s a road called the Rue de Moisnil (D145) between Marquillies and La Bassee. Petit Moisnil might have been on the crossing of the D145 and the Route de Franquise.
Today: Unknown
On March 13/14, at night, Hitler’s regiment marches from the front lines back to Marquillies. The regiment staff (including Hitler) goes back too. The regiment stays at Salomé for the night, after that the regiment rests at Petit Hantay and La Bourse. The regiment staff is in Grand and Petit Moisnil.
LA BASSEE (FRANCE)
Between Fournes and La Bassee weergeven op een grotere kaart
Auchy, region La Bassee weergeven op een grotere kaart
La Bassee in 1917, when the List regiment was also is in the region.
(Solleder, 1932)
A map of the so called Hohenzollern Werk, an area soutwest of Auchy, 2-
The brewery of La Bassee
(picture:Meijer, 1934)
The channel near La Bassee
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
The channel near La Bassee
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
The station of La Bassee
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
La Bassee
(picture: Meijer, 1934)
La Bassee weergeven op een grotere kaart
Another picture of the station of La Bassee, March 1917. Max Amann (a wartime friend of Hitler and the publisher of Mein Kampf) is the man on the left.
(picture: Joachimsthaler, 1989)
The second batallion of RIR 16 in the Schlosspark of La Bassee at a divine service outdoors in 1916
(picture: Solleder, 1932)
