'Nuts' weekend 2024

NUTS weekend @ Bastogne Barracks!

December 14 - 15, 2024

Once again this year, Bastogne Barracks (and the rest of the town) are celebrating history! To mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the public will have the chance to discover the former barracks through a wide range of activities.  But why "NUTS"? Bastogne is a watershed in the Battle of the Bulge, and the Bastogne Barracks site in particular is a historic landmark not to be missed.

When Hitler launches his last major offensive of the Second World War — the Battle of the Bulge —,  Bastogne is a major objective that the Americans must defend whatever the cost. And when an ultimatum is sent to the American headquarters in December 1944, it was Brigadier General McAuliffe, Commander ad interim of the 101st Airborne Division, who made history with his famous and brief reply:

“To the attention of the German commander. NUTS! The American commander”

This both negative and concise response to the German demand for surrender profoundly influences the course of the Battle of the Bulge. The next few days indeed see fierce fighting, but General McAuliffe and his men hold out, before being liberated on 26 December. The Sherman Jumbo Cobra King, known as the First in Bastogne is the first to bring salvation.

Exhibition halls and vehicle restoration workshops

Immerse yourself in history by visiting our exhibition halls. After the huge success of our Battle of the Bulge and Mechanised Warfare halls, two completely new galleries will be inaugurated over the NUTS Weekend! In the Field Artillery Tractors and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Tractors halls, both young and old can get close and personal with numerous impressive artillery pieces and their tractors, as well as with some other surprises…

Exclusive: The 80^th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge is the perfect opportunity to discover Mechanised Warfare, 1915-1945 by Ben Schraverus! The book highlights thirty years of military vehicles in Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the USSR and the United States, based on the extensive War Heritage Institute collections.

As every year, our Vehicle Restoration Centre (VRC) experts and mechanics stand by to introduce you into their world and answer all your questions.

Dynamic demonstration of historic vehicles

The NUTS Weekend is a unique opportunity to see our steel giants in action, a captivating experience for visitors! Throughout the weekend several emblematic Bastogne Barracks vehicles, such as the Sherman Jumbo 'First in Bastogne' and the JS 3, will be driving along a dedicated route.

Exclusive: Thanks to a fruitful collaboration with the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, Bastogne Barracks will also welcome the famous Tiger II (Königstiger)! The latter will take part in dynamic demonstrations and cross the site numerous times over.

Various partners will be running other vehicles, such as troop transport vehicles, an SDKFZ Stummel or a TD Achilles. Our sponsor, John Cockerill, will be demonstrating both the impressive Cockerill i-x and a Leopard tank with the Cockerill 3105 turret!

Practical information:

• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December;
• Hourly demos;
• Tours on board of vehicles (information available on site).

Reenactment and demos

To bring history to life several American (502 Parachute Infantry Regiment) and German (2. Panzer Division) reenactment groups will liven up the Bastogne Barracks paths and halls! The program also features a Second World War US Field Hospital, several vehicles in static and dynamic demonstrations, as well as a mobile and working field kitchen, among many other specials!

Practical information:

• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December;
• Demonstrations and continuous presence;
• Horse team demonstration on Saturday 14 December.

Stands, activities and KIDS ZONE!

Families take centre stage this year: discovery booklets, a play trail and a dedicated kids zone will provide an unforgettable experience for all ages! The most curious visitors will be able to create, craft and fish; ball, ring and fighting games are provided as well.

The War Heritage Institute teams will set up a photo booth enabling all visitors to take home a beautiful souvenir. Through the display Portable WWII Weapons our collection managers will reveal the secrets of a number of gems in our collections: a German STG44, an American M2 carbine, an American M1 Garand and its German counterpart the G4, …

Exclusive: Our partners and sponsors, the Musée des Blindés in Saumur, John Cockerill and FN Herstal will also provide stands for the public! The perfect opportunity to meet the professionals who work there and to learn more about their activities. 

Moreover, various participants will welcome visitors throughout the weekend: the Defence Medical Component, the Bastogne local history society, the ON5UB Bruxelles Est radio amateurs and their historical equipment ensure interesting experiences!

Defence will also host a Special Operation Regiment stand with virtual reality, information about the history of the SAS during the Second World War and the Battle of the Bulge, a Willy’s SAS Jeep and a presentation of the Commando Training Centre.

Practical information:

• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December;
• Activities for children 3 and older, accompanied by a parent;
• Permanent activities.

Temporary exhibition Battle of the Bulge Bits and Pieces

Discover the temporary exhibition Bits and pieces, relics of the Bastogne siege created by Pierre GODEAU. 

Driven by a deep passion for history, and more specifically for the military events that marked the Bastogne area and the Battle of the Bulge, Pierre Godeau shares his impressive collection of ‘relics’. His passion has led him to acquire quite some historical knowledge. Consequently, he has countless anecdotes and historical facts at his fingertips and is able to reconstruct the story behind each object. Moreover, he identified the dozens of objects found in the region and returned them to American veterans or their families.

Practical information:

• Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December;
• Continuous activity.

Presence of authors and autograph sessions

During the weekend several authors of works related to the Second World War and the Battle of the Bulge will be present to sign their books and comics.

Militaria fair, merchandising and catering

A military fair and various merchandising booths (Bastogne Barracks, Musée des Blindés in Saumur, Stock americain in Baisy-Thy, etc.) will ensure that everyone can return home with a souvenir of these impressive commemorations.

Food and beverages will also be available.