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Field-Marshal Montgomerys HQ, Zonhoven
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Field-Marshal Montgomerys HQ, Zonhoven
On 9 September 1944 Zonhoven was liberated by the Allies, and from 12 November to 7 February 1945 Montgomery made his HQ here in the home of the local physician, Dr Armand Peeters. It was called Villa Magda and shows a bronze plaque just inside the railings at the entrance which commemorates the Field-Marshals stay and the fact that his cocker-spaniel named Rommel, died here. The animal had been Montys faithful companion from Normandy to Holland but had been run over on 18th December 1944 and was buried in the garden. The white headstone marking the grave has been stolen. General Eisenhower and other senior allied officers visited here and the area was protected by tanks and armoured cars. Every Sunday a large car transported an altar into the church hall and Monty, with his entourage, attended a service in the makeshift Anglican Church. Date: 2001
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Media ID 23271250
© Holts Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans
1944 1945 2001 Allies Liberated Montgomery Physician Field Marshal Made
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the tranquil setting of Villa Magda in Zonhoven, Belgium, where Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery established his Headquarters from November 12, 1944 to February 7, 1945. The historic moment came nine months after the Allied liberation of Zonhoven on September 9, 1944. The villa, owned by local physician Dr. Armand Peeters, served as a temporary abode for Montgomery and his entourage during the final stages of the Battle of the Bulge. A bronze plaque at the entrance of Villa Magda commemorates Montgomery's stay and the tragic loss of his faithful cocker-spaniel, Rommel. The loyal companion had accompanied Montgomery from the D-Day landings in Normandy to the battles in Holland. On December 18, 1944, Rommel was run over and died at the villa. A white headstone marking the grave is now missing. Notable visitors to Montgomery's HQ included General Dwight D. Eisenhower and other senior Allied officers. The area was protected by tanks and armored cars, ensuring the safety of the high-ranking officials. Every Sunday, a large car transported an altar into the church hall for a makeshift Anglican Church service, where Montgomery and his team attended. This poignant image, taken in 2001, offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in World War II history, when the Allied forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Montgomery, were planning their next strategic moves in the European theater. The legacy of Montgomery's stay in Zonhoven remains an important part of the town's history, and the memory of his loyal companion, Rommel, continues to be honored.
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