{"id":3510,"date":"2022-11-30T19:57:23","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T19:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bunkermuseumantwerpen.be\/?page_id=3510"},"modified":"2024-09-13T20:23:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T20:23:17","slug":"armstrong","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bunkermuseumantwerpen.be\/en\/armstrong\/","title":{"rendered":"Armstrong"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Antwerp & Armstrong
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Freeman of the City, Clare Hibbs Armstrong.<\/i><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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As intense as the trials had been in the period in which it was forged, so close was the connection with the man who symbolized \"Antwerp X\" as the protectors of Antwerp against the V1s.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In Armstrong, commander of operation \u201cAntwerp X\u201d, the people of Antwerp naturally also paid homage to his men.
<\/span>These 22,000 Americans, British and Poles under his leadership, who stood ready for months, day and especially night, in all kinds of weather, worked non-stop to save the city and its port from destruction.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThey had to be constantly ready to open fire immediately on the V1s that could show up at any moment, on one particular day in February 1945 no less than 160 of them. Their successful defense allowed Antwerp to play its role as the main Allied supply port, facilitating the advance into Germany from the West.

\n\nA close bond developed between the soldiers and the Antwerp population, who spent 6 months together in the line of fire.\nWe hope to remember this great mutual respect and its expression in the years after the war in this digital part of our museum. Of course we welcome any assistance with stories, documents or objects that may contribute to this.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Telegram by Armstrong to Mayor Huysmans.<\/i><\/i>

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Armstrong in 1947 at a ceremony for V-weapon victims, Schoonselhof cemetery.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Antwerp's gratitude to its rescuers, and vice versa, resulted in several historic gifts.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Information on the V1's and the very exceptional \"Re4\" or manned V1 that Armstrong donated to Antwerp can be found on the page \"Reichenberg survivors\" in the V-weapon section.
In addition to an overview of relevant monuments, objects and documents that were donated by or to the city from 1945, supporting information and new items from other sources will also be added that contribute to the worthy commemoration of this crucial period in Antwerp's history.

\u201cBecause when it became clear that it was Antwerp's downfall that was wanted, a realization arose in every Antwerp citizen that Antwerp, after Normandy, would be one of the gates through which freedom would stride into Europe once again, that history would impose on the Sinjoren thus, the dangers and honors, to stand firm in a glorious task.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMayor Craeybeckx, 28.10.1950
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