Neerwinden 2006

Taken on a very hot day in June 2006, the photographs of the battlefield are given in the order of where we thought the best views and panoramas should be taken to show all the features of the terrain. Surprisingly, like many of the old battlefields around Europe, the ground is remarkably flat. This being said one should not expect to be confronted by anything more than slight rises and depressions on the landscape, and the often-used term of “commanding heights” usually means no more than a position taken up on the highest ground in the vicinity, which was probably only a few meters higher than the surrounding countryside, and which at first glance appears indiscernible. 

Interactive panoramas and high resolution aerial photographs are shown on the next page.

A. Panorama taken from just behind the Allied front line between Rumsdorp and Neerwinden. (See both modern and battlefield maps)

B. Panorama taken behind the Allied lines. Neerwinden lies just to the right, about 300 meters distant. The clump of trees in the background marks the position of the Allied front line and entrenchments. (See both modern and battlefield maps)

 

C. Panorama showing a view of the Allied position from the French front line, on their left flank just outside Overwinden, and looking towards the clump of trees shown in the previous picture. The railway pantographs and cutting in just visible in the upper photograph. Note the “high ground.” (See both modern and battlefield maps)

 

D. Panorama taken from behind the extreme allied left flank showing the ground around Laar. The Little Gheet River flows approximately 600 meters to the left and rear of this picture. (See modern and battlefield maps)

 

E. View looking towards Neerwinden from the railway bridge south of Laar. The clump of trees in the far distance, to the right, is the same as shown on previous panoramas and the railway track gives a rough demarcation line between the Allied position, to the left, and the French front line at the right. Note that there is no really perceptible high ground discernable. (See both modern and battlefield maps)

F. View from the French position looking towards the railway cut in the middle ground.