Schumann combat zone: the German defense line.
This multi-cache shows you the defense line and the supply routes towards Winseler and Wiltz of the 9. Volksgrenadier Division who blocked the advance of the 26th Infantry Division in January 1945 during the grisly fighting in the Schumann crossroads combat zone.
The trenches and dugouts are most impressive and I have not yet met anything the like in the Battle of the Bulge area. Veterans compare this combat zone to Verdun. As a matter of fact, walking along trenches of several hundred meters, you could think you were on a WWI battlefield…
The stalemate in the Schumann combat zone from December 27, 1944 to January 20, 1945 cost many human lives. Many white and grey crosses on the military cemeteries in Hamm and Sandweiler bear a date from this period.
Lest we forget…
I invite you to a hike of 4 km through a now peaceful forest. Just imagine…
- Park your car at N 49° 57.050’ / E 5° 52.358’. Go to N 49° 57.144’ / E 5° 52.266’ and find DN and PN on the yellow object
DN ABC
PN DEF
- At N 49° 57.(D-A)(D-A)C’ / E 5° 52.F(E+F-A)B’ turn left
- At N 49° 57.FCB’ / E 5° 52.(D+E-F)F(E-F)’ four horizontal metal objects don’t really belong here.
How many vertical rusty poles hold them? G
With how many screws? H
- At N 49° 57.H(A-G)A’ / E 5° 53.B(E-H)H’ watch for a round object on the ground.
DIN IJKLM
What’s the color of the pole? Number of letters is N.
- You have reached the defense line at N 49° 57.GGI’ / E 5° 52.(J-I)NJ’.
You may explore this area with its trenches, dugouts and foxholes, but watch where you put your feet!
Live ordnance is still unearthed these days!
- The final is hidden at N 49° 57.(M-N)JL’ / E 5° 52.MLK’