About us
May I introduce myself? My name is Roy Pfennings, 
born in 1973,
and from 28 February 2010 I am the proud owner of the Roer triangle museum in Montfort.
Together with my wife and children, brother and volunteers we ensure you that you are received in a cosy atmosphere and can enjoy our museum.
How did this come about? Since I am a little child I've been interested in the Second World War. From the beginning of 90 's I started collecting sleeve emblems and since then it has been growing. First I had a tiny room in the House a showcase and a pop, the rest was stored away in boxes and chests. I found it pity that everything sat in boxes and crates and no one could see it. When we moved to Montfort the idea came of a museum in the Hay loft of the barn. From 1 March 2010 (65 years after liberation of our village), the museum is open every first Sunday of the month or by appointment.
The Roer triangle museum: On 28 February 2010, the Roer triangle museum opening by Mayor Haase of the municipality of Roerdalen. It was then 65 years ago that the whole Roer Triangle was liberated by the allies. From that moment, the collection expanded and the museum became fuller and fuller. Also the number of visitors became each year more and more and luckily we can count on Jos and Kyro who support us as a volunteer. Jos was from his first visit to us already enthusiastic and Kyro is with us since his social internship for the Connect College. At the end of 2014 we finally got the GMC CCKW 352 from 1941 ready and she's added to the collection. Together with my brother Danny, who owns a Dodge WC-52 from 1943, we restore vehicles and war material from that period and we go off looking for parts to many markets and fairs. See the projects page for our projects.
Collection: the collection consists of documents, utensils, uniforms etc. from the period 1939 – 1945. It comes to everyday objects which one could encounter regularly during that period. Everything is handled with care so that this is preserved for present and future generations.
Objective: With the collection the Roer Triangle museum aims a number of goals. It's nice to be able to collect militaria but there's more behind than a barn full of stuff. The goal is to educate future generations to be aware of the war period in which human sacrifice have brought so that we can live again in freedom. A great time in which we live and that freedom and tolerance is a great thing.
Education: We also visit annually from 2003 a number of elementary schools in the region. This initially went about my own employment experiences as a soldier, but soon I was also asked to tell something about the Second World War. After a wile we started the education group "War in the Roer Triangle" that is associated with the Roer Traingle museum. Our visits to elementary schools are based on two principles, eg. recognition and tangibility.
Recognition: using old photos and images about the developments before and during WWII in the Roer Triangle.
Tangibility: we wear during our visit old uniforms and showing old objects to display the life of that time.
Lectures: We take care for groups/associations now lectures on location. On the basis of a PowerPoint presentation and a number of objects from that period we tell the turbulent running of the period of mobilization until liberation of the Roer Triangle, the region of Limburg. For further information on this and any appointment, contact us. 
My Brother Danny Volunteer Kyro Volunteer Jos
het Roerdriehoek museum
Dijkstraat 5
6065 AT, Montfort (L)
Holland
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
History Roer Triangle
Paris was liberated on August 24, 1944 and Maastricht by the American 30th Infantry Division on 14 september 1944. Among other things, by the lack of supplies the front came a halt in South Limburg late september 1944 between Nieuwstadt and Susteren at the Vloedgraaf. The Vloedgraaf became the front line.
After the liberation of South Limburg in september 1944, the Americans advanced to the east in the direction of Aachen and the Westwall (also known as the Siegfried line) and fought some bloody battles in the Huertgen forest. The US 102nd Infantry Division managed to reach the Roer at Linnich and eventually the British 43rd Wessex Division came a few kilometers north from Geilenkirchen to a halt. Since the Germans still occupied the Roer dams in the German Eifel, the Allies couldn't cross the Roer rivier.
On 22 november 1944 the British had also the last Germans on the west side of the Maas at Roermond dislodged and on 3 december, the bridgehead at Blerick cleaned up and the front line ran along the rivers Meuse and Roer. The Roer triangle, the German bridgehead between Roermond-Maaseik-Geilenkirchten, was now even if only in the way for a further advance in the Rhineland.
The donations that will be done to the Roer Triangle museum will never be sold, loaned, or be alienated from the museum.
The donated items are always placed in the museum.
Not sure whether you want to do a donation to the museum. We also have the possibility of a loan agreement with you.
We regularly will display a selection of donations on our website.
These pictures where found during a house cleaning in Maasbracht. (december 2016)
Photo 1: A repro pencil drawing (A-3 formaa) of a drawing fromv the British War drawer Brian de Grinau. Modern Battle: The British victory of the Roer Triangle No 4 Hand to hand fighting at Sint-Joost.
Photo 2: A photo copy of the original drawing from Brian de Grinau for publication in a newspaper or magazine.
Photo 3: A photo copy from a drawing for publication in a Dutch newspaper or magazine with the text: "How the cousin of the King, Lt. Gerald Lascelles, from the Rifle Brigade, led his platoon during the advance of St. Joost."
Photo 4: An Airpicture from November 18 1944. The picture (A-3 format) had a grid lining for reconnaissance or planing operations. Left the village ofLinne. and to the right the Heide-Woods.
These Bayonets where found in a barn at Wieler (Swalmen, July 2016)
Photo 1 en 2: German K98 bayonet cul 1943 (Ernst Pack & Son, Solingen)
Photo 3 en 4: German K98 bayonet W.K.C. 1939 (Weyersberg, Kirchbaum & Co, Solingen)
Photo 5 t/m 7: American M3 Trench Knife (Utica) with M8.
German fieldcanteen from 't Reutje. (June 2016)
Feldflasche 31, dated 1943.
Warbook and documents from Corporaal W. Dingelstad from Swalmen. (2015)
Photo 1: Warbook with Dutch dogtags
Photo 2: Proof of return of State property
Photo 3: Proof of receipt
Photo 4 en 5: Armypost Arbeitseinzats (voor- en achterkant)
Photo 6 en 7: Great leaf May 25 1940 (front and rear)
Donation from Montfort. (May 2016)
Photo 1: American 105mm Howitzer M2 ammobox (site). From a barn, Zandstraat 46 in Montfort, Holland.
Photo 2 en 3: Bren Carrier tracks. 2 links from a British BREN Carrier. Veestraat 9 in Montfort, Holland.
Bandages Gauze Roller Plain Steralized. (april 2016)
Photo 1 t/m 4: US box with 12 pieces bandages.
Donation from Montfort. (November 2013)
Photo 1: British Jerkin late model.
Photo 2: The House in wich this Christian frame hung was largely destroyed during the bombing raids on Montfort. This frame remained intsct as one of the few items intems in the house. Embroidered text with wax figures.
Photo 3: Oilcan
Photo 4 en 5: Oilfiller stamped D&W 1944 ^. By its shape the jerrycan could be put upside down in it.
Photo 6: Oilbarrel 200 litre
Box with ammunition from Slek (Echt). (April 2013)
Photo 1: Box (with text "Korstlooze Kaas") with clips, ammunition and a K-43 cartridge.
British .303 ammo clips, US .30 AP, French 8mm Lebel, German K98 exercise and 9mm Export, Dutch 6,5mm Hembrug.
Photo 2: K-43 cartridge
Photo 3: Mauser Export 9mm x 25
David Clare visits in 2010 the Roertriangle museum.
Here he sees a picture of his dad Sgt Paul W. Clare, "C" Co. 58th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division. His father has fought overhere in the Roertriangle and at the Heide Woods he saw his best friend SSgt Burns been shot by the Germans. He decides to donate the Ike jacket of his father to the Roertriangle museum.
Photo 1: Ike jacket from Sgt Paul W. Clare, US flag, Garrison cap Glider Infantry (during trianing)
Photo 2: Manual Aircraft and Surfacecraft Recognition, Manual Allied Landingcraft and Ships Recognition
Photo 3: Manual Aircraft and Surfacecraft Recognition, Manual Allied Landingcraft and Ships Recognition
Welcome
Traces of these battles can still be seen on the wall and rafters of the barn where the museum is housed in.
The Roer triangle museum is dedicated to those who fought for our freedom. Because it should not be forgotten.
Or as Americans would say: "The Roer triangle museum is dedicated to those who fought for our freedom. Because it should not be forgotten. "
The roer triangle museum is open every first Sunday of the month between 10:00 and 17:00. And of course by appointment.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the possibilities of a visit.
Visit
The Roerdriehoek museum is open every first Sunday of the month from 10 am to 5 pm or by appointment.
Want a personal tour with explanation about the events and exhibits from the period 1939-1945, then we ask you to make an appointment outside the hours of operation.
We can arrange a guided tour for groups of up to 8 people. For larger groups, ask for the possibilities.
The Roerdriehoek museum is located in the town of Montfort, which was badly hit in the war by bombing and fighting.
Traces of these battles can still be seen on the wall and rafters of the barn where the museum is housed in. The museum is located on the former Hay loft of the barn
and is therefore not accessible for wheelchairs.
The Roerdriehoek museum
Dijk Street 5 6065 AT, Montfort (L)
The Netherlands
Contact Details
- The Roerdriehoek museum
- Dijkstraat 5 6065 AT, Montfort
- The Netherlands
- +316-15691733
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Open Tuesday to Friday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Open every first Sunday of the month
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with expert guides!