Bois Jacques Bastogne

Dive into the heart of Bois Jacques on a unique immersive journey with the Easy Company thanks to Overlap Reality®, a technology developed by The Overlap Factory that enhances the effects of augmented reality.

During the Second World War, Bois Jacques, an historic site of the Battle of the Ardennes, was the scene of terrible battles between the American and German armies.

In December, 1944, Bastogne is situated on the route of the German Fifth Armoured Division. The Germans have a very clear plan, which involves taking the important crossroads that form Bastogne as quickly as possible and heading towards the river Meuse: the Panzer Lehr Division 130 must capture the town by surprise, while the Panzer Division 2 must bypass it and attack the Meuse. Meanwhile, the Volks-Grenadiere-Division 26 must attack the resistance pocket.

But the Americans on the ground and the reinforcements hastily sent in in trucks resist to defend the city! And on December 19, the 101st American Airborne Division comes to the rescue. However, The GIs are quickly surrounded.

It is in this context that, on December 20, 1944, the 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Regiment, of which the famous Easy Company is a member (“Band of Brothers”), takes up position in Bois Jacques. It will remain there until the beginning of January, 1945, before giving way to other units of the 101st Airborne Division.

After fierce resistance to German attacks, the time comes for the American counter-attack in early January, 1945. In mid-January, the German army is still resisting fiercely but is seriously weakened: its supply is becoming increasingly complicated and its tanks run out of fuel. On January 28, 1945, the Battle of the Ardennes comes to an end. Its consequences prove decisive for the continuation of the conflict, and deal a fatal blow to Adolf Hitler’s ambitions.

Aware of the exceptional heritage character and historical value of this site, the City of Bastogne, IDELUX and INTERREG wished to promote it.

Using a dedicated mobile application, this particular digital project offers visitors of Bois Jacques the chance to be plunged into a series of six immersive, 360°, geo-localised videos, each lasting two to three minutes. Each audiovisual work, a true historical re-enactment, follows soldiers who belong to one of the Easy Company’s divisions, recounting a scene from their daily life of war, each spot being about a particular day and event.

Benjamin Brillaud, alias NOTA BENE, is the red thread of the journey but knows to regularly disappear so as to allow the spectator to enter into the heart of history, inviting them to put themselves in the soldiers' shoes.

This mobile application is funded by the INTERREG V A GRANDE REGION programme as part of the “Land of Memory” project. It is produced by SKY BOY, operating commercially under the name of The Overlap Factory, on behalf of IDELUX Public Projects.

The application is available in French, English, Dutch and German.

How does it work?

- Go to Bois Jacques.

- Position yourself at one of the 6 viewing points represented by a numbered target.

- Launch the experience with your smartphone or tablet.

- And share these soldiers’ experiences as if you were at their side.