Landships II

Hello James

Last summer my wife and I visited this small but fine museum in Mons. I had only a closer look at the Great War items.

This museum is located in a small hall with lot of daylight through large windows in the roof. So there is plenty of light to make nice photographs. The museum staff has nothing against taking pictures.

The museum consists of a single room with vitrines along three walls. In and around those vitrines you find uniformed mannequins: French soldiers (1914 with red trousers and kepi and horizon blue uniform), British soldiers (two Englishmen and two Scottish soldiers with kilts and one playing bigpipe). A scottish and an englisch soldier stand in front of a large mirror so you can see the back of the uniforms. A clever idea. Besides the piper one can see four nice drums, too.
In the vitrines there are many artefacts like headgear (kepis, hat, helmets), personal items, small arms, gas masks and rattle, shells, a cuirassier's body armour and helmet, a tanker's face armour etc.

You have to pay attention that you have a look above the vitrines!! There are nice exhibits like lewis guns, a complete german body armour, a Mauser tank gun, a bycicle "Ersatzstoff"-wheel (with iron instead of the tire), a complete british cavalry officer's equipment (including saddle etc.).
In the middle of the room you will see different machine guns.

Another idea for a trip to Mons: at the western end of the "Great Place" you will find a "kiosk" (WH Smith-kind  shop) with an outstanding selection of historical and military magazines!!! The shop owner was very proud and told me that she has got many clients from far away...

Hope this helps a little.

Regards
Thomas