Hello all - the good folk over at /r/askreddit thought I might get more luck over here. I hope they're right... over to you.
Hi, my elderly neighbour is trying to work on the military history of the second world war. The picture I'm linking to below is apparently vital for his work. It's either France or Belgium (he thinks Belgium) in 1945, and he would like to know where it is. I know the grave scene has nothing really to show where it is, but I wondered if the good folk of Reddit might be able to ID the town square? He has tried speaking to the British, Belgian, French and US military but although they've been helpful no one can tell him which town square it is. here are the two photos I'm actually in Belgium myself tomorrow (which is how we got discussing this topic) so can't reply to posts, but I'd love to be able to give him some good news by Christmas / New Year.
/r/whatisthisthing is also pretty good at identifying pictures.
I'm not sure that it is evidence but there is a French flag on the first pic... If it was in Belgium there would be at least a Belgian flag too. + Don't know if the original pictures are a bit clearer but there is something written on the building on the left. If you could read that and its Dutch you are sure it's Belgian, if its French we know nothing more. Are the 2 pics from the same place? the second one seems impossible to trace i'm afraid
Now i look again. The people who hold the flag in front of the buildings hold 3 flags, I believe it's the Belgian flags in the middle but not sure what that would mean.. ( could mean they're the guest there too)
Does the officer below on the right of the first photo wears a kepi? If that's true it's a french officer.
I can't identify the location, but I assume your neighbour took the pictures ? or was in them ?
If so, could you possibly track where it is through his unit ? I'd take a stab at May (i.e. this could be a VE Day parade/celebration) and work back from there. It would at least narrow the possibilities.