Overview:  By the end of the 19^th century, Bastogne was a thriving fortified town at the middle of an important crossroads of highways and railway lines in Belgium.  Its forest products and cattle fairs were well known.  It all came to a terrible end with German occupation in World War I. Although liberated by the Allies in late 1944, German forces attacked in their goal to conquer the Ardennes and separate American and British forces. Shortly before Christmas 1944, German forces began their offensive, thereafter known as The Battle of the Bulge, by attacking the American forces surrounding the town.       

A few days later, Brigadier General McAuliffe and the 101st Airborne Division along with elements of the 10th Armored Division arrived to counter-attack but, after heavy fighting, got encircled in the city.  On December 22, German emissaries asked for the American surrender, to which the General answered quite briefly, “Nuts!” The next day, the weather cleared up, allowing air retaliation and the parachuting of much needed food, medicine, and weaponry.  Later, the troops of General Patton broke the deadlock and the official end to the battle was declared almost three weeks later.  What remained?  A city almost completely destroyed, more than 25 thousand dead and 50 thousand never accounted for. 

The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial is located on a site liberated by the U.S. 5^th Armored Division on 10 September 1944.  The first burial ground was established there 29 December 1944.  Most who are interred here lost their lives in the German Ardennes offensive, in air operations over the region and in the fighting eastward to the Rhine and beyond during the winter of 1944 and spring of 1945.  Originally General Patton was buried with the other military.  So many came to visit his grave that it was removed to a location between the two flagpoles and stone paving was installed in front of the grave.  The nearby Sandweiler German War Cemetery contains the graves of 10 thousand German servicemen from the same battles and time period.   Almost half were buried by the American war graves service during the war.  Another half were removed from temporary mass graves in the region and later identified before final burial.  

Itinerary:  Travel directly to Bastogne to visit the outdoor areas of the Battle of the Bulge Memorial.  Follow this with an audio-guided tour of the Battle of the Bulge Museum for an appreciation of the offensive and defensive actions of this pivotal battle during WWII.  A lunch opportunity will be provided in Bastogne, but you may also pack a picnic meal to enjoy outdoors.  Continue with open air visits to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial and the Sandweiler German War Cemetery.

Depart Sandweiler at about 5:15 p.m., with arrival to points of origin at approximately 7 p.m.