MEMORIAL SITES commemorating the Battle of the BULGE
During the summer of 1944, the sky of Nazi Germany is darkening and its ambitions are declining. The Allies have landed in Normandy on June 6th and have started their mission as liberators of Europe (Brussels is liberated on September 4th and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on September 10th). On the Eastern front, the situation is just as bad for Germany. Hitler estimates that he has the means in equipment and men to launch a new offensive. The mission named "Wacht am Rhein" (Defense on the Rhine) in order to avoid any suspicion by the Allies, is planned and implemented under the high command of Field Marshal Gerd van Rundstedt.
Today, numerous memorial sites, museums, military cemeteries, and memory walks allow visitors to discover the sites marked by the Battle of the Bulge and remember the tragic episodes of the von Rundstedt Offensive.
The brand new map entitled "The Battle of the Ardennes," available in 4 languages, traces the 6 major stages of the offensive and lists all the sites to be discovered.
December 15, 1944 - On the eve of the offensive
The objective is to break through the Ardennes, only weakly defended by the Americans, The 6th SS Panzer Armee, under the orders of “Sepp” Dietrich, must overtake the bridges on the river Meuse and seize the port of Antwerp occupied by the British since September 4th. This capture is to deny all supplies and separate the Allies. The 5th Panzer Armee of Hasso von Manteuffel aims at taking Brussels and the 7th army, commanded by Erich Brandenberger, is to form a mobile defensive line to the South. The German operation is backed up by the parachuting of a regiment in the Hautes Fagnes to block the Northern roads. The latter one is to result in a fiasco due to the bad weather conditions that on the other hand also prevents the Allied Air Force from delaying the German advance.
From December 16 to 19, 1944 - The German breakthrough
On December 16th, 1944 at 5:30 AM, the Germans launch their offensive. From Monschau to Echternach, it results in a total surprise to the Allies who thought they were able to take a break in these remote regions. In the late afternoon, Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley are informed of the attack but think it's a diversion.
On the Northern front, Dietrich's army reaches La Gleize in only a few days, while in the center, Houffalize and La Roche are easily captured. In the South, the breakthrough is slowed down by the American resistance in some localities such as Bastogne, Clervaux, Diekirch, Wahlhausen or Wiltz.
From December 19 to 22, 1944 - Advance of the 5th Panzer Armee and the resistance of Bastogne and St-Vith
During the following days, the German divisions, often short of fuel and supplies, face a stubborn defense near Elsenborn-Krinkelt-St-Vith, and only the 5th Panzer Armee manages to encircle Bastogne and advance towards the river Meuse and its bridges. At the same time, the tanks of the American 3rd Army, commanded by General George Patton, are spearheading from Metz to relieve the 101st Airborne besieged in Bastogne though galvanized by General McAuliffe's "Nuts".
December 22-24, 1944 - The peak of the German advance
Then, the British 30th Corps of General Brian Horrocks, under the high command of Bernard Montgomery enters the action in the vicinity of Dinant to insure the safety of the bridges on the river Meuse. The weather finally clears up, enabling air strikes. On Christmas Eve, the German troops are stopped in Celles: they were never to reach the Meuse. Hitler then shifts tactics. The objective now becomes the surrender of Bastogne.
From December 24 to 27, 1944 - German retreat from Celles and end of the siege of Bastogne
A short term project, because on December 26th, Patton's tanks break through the encirclement of Bastogne at the village of Assenois
December 27, 1944 - The counter-attack
The beginning of the new-year sees the launching of the Allied counter-attack in extreme weather conditions. As far back as locals can remember, the cold has never been as rigorous, the snow as abundant.
After the failure of Bastogne, the German high command orders, around January 8th, the retreat of its troops because of the resumption of the offensive in the East by the Soviet armies. On January 16th, the 1st Army (Hodges) and the 3rd Army (Patton) tighten the noose around the bulge, and link up near to Houffalize, while the fighting continues in Northern Luxembourg.
In late January, the last Germans are pushed back behind their "jump-off" lines, Siegfried line. There were considerable human losses on both sides and casualties among civilians were too high.
MUSEUMS OPEN DAILY
IN BELGIUM
Bastogne War Museum
Colline du Mardasson, 5
B-6600 Bastogne
Tel. : +32 61 21 02 20
www.bastognewarmuseum.be
101st Airborne Museum "Le Mess"
Avenue de la Gare, 13
B-6600 Bastogne
Tel. : +32 61 50 12 00
www.101airbornemusuembastogne.com
Bastogne War Rooms
rue de Laroche, 40
B-6600 Bastogne
Tel. : + 32 61 21 02 20
www.bastognewarmuseum.be
Bastogne Barracks
rue de Laroche, 40
B-6600 Bastogne
Tel. : +32 478 78 24 98
bastognebarracks.be
Musée de la Bataille des Ardennes
rue Chamont, 5
B-6980 La Roche-en-Ardenne
Tel. : +32 84 41 17 25
www.batarden.be
December 44 Historical Museum
rue de l'église, 7B
B-4987 La Gleize
Tel. : +32 80 78 51 91
www.december44.com
Manhay History 44 Museum
Voie Habotte, 2
B-6960 Grandmenil
Tel. : +32 86 43 46 71
www.mhm44.be
Houffalize Museum
Place Roi Albert
B - 6660 Houffalize
www.coeurdelardenne.be
Malmedy War Museum Baugnez 44
Place du Châtelet, 10
B - 4960 Malmedy
Tel. : +32 80 79 96 68
www.malmundarium.be
IN LUXEMBOURG
Musée Bataille et Châteaux
Bataille des Ardennes et Maquettes de Châteaux
Château de Clervaux
L-9712 Clervaux
Tel. : +352 26 91 06 95
www.visit-clervaux.lu
Musée de la Bataille des Ardennes 1944-1945
rue du Château, 35
L-9516 Wiltz
Tel. : +352 95 99 39 250
www.visitwiltz.lu
Musée National d'Histoire Militaire
Bamertal, 10
L-9209 Dierkirch
Tel. : +352 80 89 08
www.mnhm.net
General Patton Memorial Museum
rue Dr. Klein
L-9024 Ettelbruck
Tel. : +352 81 03 22 - 22
www.patton.lu
IN FRANCE
Musée Guerre et Paix
Impasse du Musée
F-08270 Novion-Porcien
Tel. : +33 3 24 72 69 50
www.guerreetpaix.fr
MUSEUMS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
IN BELGIUM
83rd Thunderboldt Division Museum
Bihain, 21A
B-6690 Vielsalm
Tel. : +32 80 41 87 39
Musée "40-45 Memories"
Route des Ardennes, 54
B-4920 Harzé
Tel. : +32 4 384 54 31
Truschbaum Museum
Lager Elsenborn Camp, 1
B-4750 Bütgenbach
Tel. : +32 80 44 21 05
Musée de la Mémoire Civile
rue du 26 décembre, 91
B-6637 Sainlez
Tel. : +32 477 19 35 87
Remember Museum 39-45
Les Béolles, 4
B-4890 Thimister - Clermont
Tel. : +32 87 44 61 81
www.remembermusuem.be
Ensival Historical Museum
rue de la Saunerie, 30
B-4800 Ensival
Tel.: +32 498 88 65 14
Bulge Relics Museum
Joubiéval, 41A
B-6690 Vielsalm
www.bulge-relics-meseum.be
Expo-Musée "87th Infrantry Division de décembre 44 à janvier 45"
rue du Mont, 81
B-6870 Saint-Hubert
Tel. : +32 478 57 83 38
Collection privée de M. Karl-Heinz Heck
Lindenallee, 3
B-4750 Bütgenbach
Tel. : +32 80 44 56 48
Musée Militaire d'Arlon
Route de Bouillon
B-6700 Arlon
Tel. : +32 24 41 46 68
"The White Bison" Museum - Base Militaire de Bierset
rue de Velroux, S/N
B-4460 Grâce-Hollogne
Tel. : +32 478 60 16 60
www.whitebison.be
Musée Spitfire - Base Militaire Jean Offenberg
Base Jean Offenberg, rue de Chaumont
B-5620 Florennes
Tel. : +32 44 26 344
www.museespitfire-florennes.be
IN LUXEMBOURG
385th Bomb Group Memorial Museum
rue de l'église, 6
L-8826 Perlé
www.385bg.lu
Deportation Memorial
rue de la Déportation, 3A
L-1415 Luxembourg
Tel. : +352 247 82 283
www.cm2gm.lu
IN GERMANY
Museum "Hürtgenwald 1944 und im Frieden"
Pfaffer-Dickmann-Straße, 21
D-52393 Vossenack
Tel. : +49 2429 902 613
museum-huertgenwald.de
Expo-Musée''87th Infrantry Division de décembre 44 à janvier 45'' à Saint-Hubert ©Provlux
83rd Thunderboldt Division Museum in Bihain ©Provlux
385th Bomb Group Memorial Museum ©385th Bomb Group Memorial Museum Perlé
Bulge Relics Museum
Musée Truschbaum ©WHI
Ensival Historical Museum ©FTPL-Mfred-DODET
Musée ''40-45 Memories'' ©40-45 Memories Museum asbl
Musée de la Mémoire Civile ©Maison du Tourisme Cap Sûre Anlier
Musée Spitfire - Base Militaire Jean Offenberg ©Musée Spitfire
Remember Museum 39-45 ©Remember Museum
MEMORY WALKS
IN BELGIUM
- Hasselpath Commemorative Site (Rocherath-Krinkelt)
- Bois Jacques (Foy-Bastogne)
- Patton Breakthrough Road (Fauvillers)
- Civilian Memorial Walk in Sainlez (Sainlez)
- Ardennes Offensive Walk in Celles (Celles)
- Didactic Walk in Cheneux (Cheneux)
- Battle of the Bulge Walk in the town of Libramont (Libramont-Chevigny)
- Memorial Walk in Bure (Tellin)
- Battle Tour (Malmedy)
- Memorial Walk of the Tourist Office (Rochefort)
- Memorial Walk - Traces two world wars (Arlon)
- Le Chemin de la Liberte - The Freedom Trail ® (Bastogne-Vaux-sur-Sûre-Sainte-Ode-Bertogne)
IN LUXEMBOURG
- Memorial Trail 44-45 (Bettendorf, Hoesdorf, Reisdorf, Wallendorf (D))
- Bunker Circular Walk (Fridbësch)
- Memorial Trail Nothum 44-45 (Nothum)
Arlon Memorial Walk Patton ©MT Arlon
Immersive experience in the foxholes of the Bois Jacques ©BM Pierre Lhotte
Libramont Bulge Walk ©MTFSH_TEXTO_Pascal Willems
Rocherath Hasselpath ©oostbelgien.eu
Schumannseck Gedenkpfad ©Visit Éisleck
Patton Breakthrough Road Général Irzyck ©mcmarchalcapsureanlier
La Mémoire Civile 1940-1945 à Sainlez
Ardennes Offensive Walk in Celles ©MTFA - Denis Closon
Bure Memorial Walk ©MTFSH_TEXTO_Pascal_Willems
Battle Tour Malmedy ©Malmundarium
Chemin de la Liberté - balisage ©La Maison de la Randonnée - GTA Belgique
WAR CEMETERIES
IN BELGIUM
- Recogne German Military Cemetery (Recogne-Bastogne)
- Foy American Temporary Cemetery Memorial (Foy-Bastogne)
- Ardennes American Cemetery (Neuville-en-Condroz)
- Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery (Henri-Chapelle)
- Commonwealth Military Cemetery (Hotton)
IN LUXEMBOURG
- Luxembourg American Cemetery & Memorial (Hamm)
- Sandweiler German Military Cemetery (Sandweiler)
- Clausen German War Cemetery (Clausen)
- Maulusmühle Aviator Cemetery & Monument (Maulusmühle)
IN GERMANY
- Kriegsgräberstätten (Daleiden)
American cemetery Henry-Chapelle ©Jaunet Amandine
Daleiden German War Cemetery ©Tourist Info Islek
German cemetery of Recogne ©Provlux
more information:
TOURISM INFORMATION OFFICES
IN BELGIUM
Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l'Ardenne (Erezée - Houffalize - La Roche-en-Ardenne - Manhay - Rendeux) - Tel: +32 84 36 77 36 - www.coeurdelardenne.be
Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Bastogne (Bertogne - Bastogne - Sainte-Ode) - Tel: +32 61 26 76 11 - www.paysdebastogne.be
Maison du Tourisme Famenne Ardenne (Hotton - Marche - Nassogne - Rochefort - Durbuy - Houyet - Beauraing - Durbuy) - Tel +32 84 34 53 27 - www.famenneardenne.be
Maison du Tourisme Haute-Ardenne (Gouvy - Lierneux - Trois-Ponts - Vielsalm) - Tel: +32 80 21 50 52 - www.haute-ardenne.be
Maison du Tourisme de la Forêt de Saint-Hubert (Libramont-Chevigny - Saint-Hubert - Tellin - Tenneville - Libin - Wellin) - Tel: +32 61 61 30 10 - www.foretdesainthubert-tourisme.be
Maison du Tourisme des Cantons de l'Est (Malmedy - Sankt Vith- Amblève - Bullange - Burg Reuland - Butgenbach - Eupen - La Calamine - Lontzen - Raeren - Waimes) - Tel: +32 80 22 76 64 - www.ostbelgien.eu
Maison du Tourisme Ourthe-Vesdre-Amblève (Stoumont - Ferrières - Anthisnes - Aywaille - Chaudfontaine - Clavier - Comblain-au-Pont - Esneux - Hamoir - Neupré - Ouffet - Sprimont - Trooz) - Tel: +32 4 384 35 44 - ovatourisme.be
Maison du Tourisme Spa Hautes Fagnes Ardennes (Spa - Jalhay - Stavelot - Theux) - Tel: +32 87 79 53 53 - www.visitspa-hautesfagnes.be
Maison du Tourisme Pays de Herve (Aubel - Blegny - Dalhem - Fléron - Herve - Olne - Pepinster - Plombières - Thimister-Clermont - Visé - Soumagne - Welkenraedt) - Tel: +32 87 69 31 70 - www.paysdeherve.be
Maison du Tourisme Explore Meuse (Andenne - Anhée - Dinant - Fernelmont - Fosses-la-Ville - Hastière - La Bruyère - Mettet - Namur - Onhaye - Profondeville - Yvoir) - Tel: +32 82 22 28 70 - www.exploremeuse.be
Maison du Tourisme Cap Sûre Anlier (Vaux-sur-Sûre - Martelange - Neufchâteau - Léglise - Habay - Fauvillers) - Tel: +32 61 21 80 05 - www.capsureanlier.be
Maison du Tourisme Pays d'Arlon (Attert - Arlon - Aubange - Messancy) - Tel: +32 63 21 94 54 - www.paysdarlon.be
Maison du Tourisme Pays de Vesdre (Baelen - Dison - Limbourg - Verviers) - Tel: +32 87 78 79 99 - www.paysdevesdre.be
Maison du Tourisme Pays de Liège - Tel: +32 4 221 92 21 - www.visitezliege.be
IN LUXEMBOURG
Office Régional du Tourisme Éislek (cantons de Wiltz, Vianden et Clervaux + commune de Bourscheid) - Tel: +352 26 95 05 66 - www.visit-eislek.lu
Tourist Center Clervaux - Tel: +352 92 00 72 - www.visit-clervaux.lu
Syndicat d'Initiative de Diekirch - Tel: +352 80 30 23 - www.visit-diekirch.lu
Office du Tourisme d'Ettelbruck - Tel: +352 81 20 68 - www.ettelbruck.lu/visiteur/visiter/tourist-office
Parc Naturel de la Haute-Sûre - Tel: +352 89 93 31 1 - www.naturpark-sure.lu
Office de Tourisme Troisvierges - Tel: +352 24 51 48 81 - www.visittroisvierges.lu
Office de Tourisme Vianden - Tel: +352 83 42 57 - www.visit-vianden.lu
Office de Tourisme Weiswampach - Tel: +352 97 91 99 - www.visit-weiswampach.lu
Office de Tourisme Wiltz - Tel: +352 95 99 39 250 - www.visitwiltz.lu
IN PRACTICE
Contact for more specific information:
Fédération touristique Province de Luxembourg (FTPLux)
f.rousseau@province.luxembourg.be
+32 84 41 02 17
The card is sold for €5 in the museum shops and in the Tourist Offices mentioned above.
Other highlights of memory tourism : click here
