SECOND WORLD WAR · 1939–1945
Tanks in Town (25th edition)
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🇧🇪 Mons, Belgium · ⚑ 150+ vehicles, 300+ participants
About
The 25th edition of Tanks in Town, commemorating the liberation of Mons on 2 September 1944 by the 83rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd US Armored Division. An armoured column of Shermans, Chaffees, Pershings, tank destroyers and half-tracks retraces the original route into the city centre, alongside a historical camp, militaria fair and amphibious demonstration with the Belgian Navy.
Historical background on Wikipedia
Programme
Fri 28 Aug
07:30-13:00Liberation March - free, routes of 7, 17 or 27 km; registration from 07:00, departures until 10:00
13:00-18:00Bois-Brule site open (EUR10, under-12s free): historical camp, living history, militaria fair, dynamic demonstrations, military vehicle rides
20:00Opening party 'Les retrouvailles' - live music followed by DJ
Sat 29 Aug
09:00-18:00Bois-Brule site open (EUR10, under-12s free): historical camp, living history, militaria fair, dynamic demonstrations, military vehicle rides
daytimeCommemorative roadbook - 50 km drive around Greater Mons for registered historic light vehicles
11:00-14:00Amphibious operation at the Grand-Large with Belgian Defence and the Royal Sea Cadets - shuttle bus from Bois-Brule every 30 minutes
20:0025th-anniversary evening: roast-pig dinner (EUR20, reservation required), swing concert by Les Marie-Claire, vehicle and display awards, then DJ
Sun 30 Aug
8:30Wheeled convoy departs Rue de l'Orbette, Ghlin - ceremonies at Long Coron 09:30, Cuesmes 10:30, Gognies-Chaussee 12:00, Chateau de Warelles 14:30, Mons Memorial Museum 16:30
09:00-14:00Bois-Brule site open for the final morning (EUR10, under-12s free)
13:00Armoured column parade departs - static halts at Cuesmes 14:30, Mons Memorial Museum 16:00, Grand-Place 17:00
15:30Presentation of the bell of the minehunter Narcis (M923) on the Grand-Place, with the Royal Band of the Belgian Navy
16:00Static display and patriotic ceremony at the Mons Memorial Museum - free museum access
17:00Historical column on display on the Grand-Place, with the SHAPE International Band
19:00Columns return to camp - end of the event
Getting there
Site du Bois-Brule, Route de Wallonie 32, 7011 Ghlin (Mons). Entry EUR10, free under 12. Food trucks and bar on site.
Links
Official
Tanks in Town official siteTourism board
VisitMons — official Mons tourist boardStay nearby
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