The Battle of the Ardennes
“Without the willpower and determination of these men to stop a numerically superior invader, a different chapter would have been written in history.”
“The ‘Battle of the Ardennes’ was certainly one of the most difficult in which I was ordered to participate and where the stakes were significant.”
Thanks to the great support and articles of Mr Guy Blockmans, from the OPT Wallonia-Brussels, readers will have the opportunity to discover in future editions of SHAPE Community Life, a series on “The Battle of the Ardennes”. Mr Blockmans, will share with us his great passion and knowledge of this difficult period of history that took place in Belgium from 16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945. We will begin in the next issue, to be published on 11 March, with an historical introduction and then follow with five additional articles on different chapters of WWII in the Ardennes.
In order of publication:
| 1. | Bastogne | April Edition |
| 2. | From Bastogne to Houffalize | June Edition |
| 3. | The invasion of the German 6th Panzer Army | July Edition |
| 4. | The halt of the 5th and 6th German Panzer Armies | August Edition |
| 5. | The British role in the battle | September Edition |
| The Final Days of the “Battle of the Ardennes” | October Edition |
The May Edition will be dedicated to Memorial Day.
All articles published in this series are meant as a reminder of those soldiers who came from overseas to fight for peace in our towns and villages, and to remember with respect and feeling all the people who lost their lives.
The Battle of the Ardennes, also known as the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ or the ‘von Rundstedt Offensive’, was the last major battle of World War II. It took place on Belgian territory from 16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945, between Monschau, Echternach and Dinant, the furthest point reached by the breakthrough of the German troops.
Many lived through it and many others heard about it. No one today can remain indifferent to the events that brought an end to four long years of occupation and allowed the battered towns and villages of the Ardennes to recover both their freedom and the courage to rise from their ruins.
This battle is commemorated every year, in Bastogne, Malmedy, La-Roche-en-Ardenne, Hotton, Houffalize, Saint-Vith, Vielsalm, at the American war cemeteries at Neuville-en- Condroz and Henri-Chapelle and in other locations, towns and villages of the Ardennes.
The soldiers from overseas who gave their youth to free Belgium are, year after year, remembered with gratitude, thoughtfulness and respect.
You will be able to discover “down memory lane”, the war memorials, commemorative plaques, monuments, museums and war cemeteries dedicated to the brave American, Welsh, Scottish, English, Canadian and even French and Belgian combatants who brought freedom back to the Ardennes, not forgetting, of course, the German war cemetery at Recogne-Bastogne.
It is worthwhile taking the time to travel through the Ardennes. While the past is not forgotten, you will also have the opportunity to mix fun activities and exploration of the region’s hidden byways and enjoy the convivial side of life, including the gastronomy.