On Tuesday, Luxembourg marks the 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge with commemorations held across the north of the country.
The offensive began in the early hours of 16 December 1944, as German forces launched a surprise attack along a 100km front against Allied troops. The ensuing fighting, which lasted until late January 1945, resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides.
To honour those lost, memorial vigils were held in towns across northern Luxembourg. One such ceremony, a Night Vigil, took place at 6am in Hoscheid. Approximately 50 to 60 people gathered in the presence of the US Ambassador and a granddaughter of General George S. Patton to remember the US soldiers who died defending Luxembourg’s freedom. In and around Hoscheid alone, 38 US soldiers lost their lives during the battle.
