I am hoping someone can help direct me to this building in Metz for my upcoming visit. It is where my grandfather was hospitalized when he was wounded in December of 1944. If anyone knows what this building us called and where it is I would greatly appreciate it.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11881 posts
Do you know that is was a permanent local building and not some sort of temporary military construct?
I have no answer for your question, but what 1st came to mind is the question above.
Good luck in your search.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Yes, it was a permanent structure and I have a photograph. Can't see how to post a photograph with my question.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Try asking at tourisme-metz.com/contact-us
I just had a look at the Metz Tourism website. The photos are sensational. I wish now we had visited Metz on one of the many times we were close by.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1530 posts
We're starting a bike tour in Metz this summer. I have some tourist literature on Metz, but non of it mentions the hospital:(
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Is there anyway I can send you the photo I Have?
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Is there anyway I can send you the photo I Have?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
lanierandson, I googled and found this webpage: https://www.med-dept.com/unit-histories/34th-evacuation-hospital/
It says the 34th Evacuation Hospital were in Metz from 30 November 1944 to 1 February 1945, the building they occupied was the former German military hospital and even has a photo: https://med-dept.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/metz.jpg
Is that the same as the one you have?
Since they were only there for 2 months, and everything would have been ad-hoc (I doubt they registered ownership deeds or applied for change of use permission), written records could be few. You might have more luck searching for the German military hospital, as I guess it was there for longer.
I then did a bit of googling in German. I found a reference in a discussion group to the military hospital being part of the "caserne Barbot" (caserne = barracks). There is an article in Wikipedia about the caserne in both French and German (but not in English), and both list it as being a hospital during WW2
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caserne_Barbot "Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, la caserne Barbot fait office de Lazarett, un hôpital militaire allemand."
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caserne_Barbot "Während des Zweiten Weltkrieges nutzte die deutsche Wehrmacht die Kaserne als Lazarett"
Both say the barracks it is now a college ("collège Barbot").
This may be a red herring, I hope it helps.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Yes that is the building. Looking for what it is today and where so I can find modern pics of it.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
So, contact the Metz Tourist Office and give the info in Chris’ post. I am sure they can help you.
Posted by
South Florida
776 posts
From the German on the German Link
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caserne_Barbot
The building was built between the years 1890 to 1893 to accept the troops of the newly formed 16th Army corps. Today, the building is found between the Avenue de Lattre-de Tassigny, Avenue Joffre , Place du Roi George and Rue Wilson
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Wow .... good for you, 75 (if I may use your nickname).
Posted by
OP
6 posts
It doesn't seem to look like the same building. Different roof line.