Battle of the Bulge Memorial
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Battle of the Bulge Memorial was created for those soldiers who died fighting for freedom at the Battle of the Bulge. The monument was approved for construction on December 6th, 2002 when the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 was passed. It was finished on May 8th, 2006 and was dedicated. It was dedicated by Belgium Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and Luxembourg Secretary of State for Culture Octavie Modert. 300 veterans of the battle and their family members attended.
Images
This is the picture of the Battle of the Bulge memorial as it stands today
This is a picture of the memorial as it was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Battle of the Bulge took place from December 16th, 1944 to January 25th, 1945. The battle pitted roughly 610,000 Allied troops vs 500,000 Axis troops. (1) Hitler's goal was to push through the English coast essentially splitting the Allies forces like he had done in 1940. He initially pushed through the American front and advanced toward the Meuse River. (2)
General Eisenhower quickly brought in reinforcements to slow down the German assault, and quickly they began counterattacking the German assault. General Patton was able to counterattack Hitlers northern flank and eventually relieve the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne which was a key point. This was the last major assault that Hilter was able to launch west and is considered the greatest battle in American military history. (2)
The monument was created to honor all those who lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge that helped ensure victory for the Americans. The plaque reads "To World War II American Soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge - The greatest Land Battle in the history of the United States Army." (3)
General Eisenhower quickly brought in reinforcements to slow down the German assault, and quickly they began counterattacking the German assault. General Patton was able to counterattack Hitlers northern flank and eventually relieve the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne which was a key point. This was the last major assault that Hilter was able to launch west and is considered the greatest battle in American military history. (2)
The monument was created to honor all those who lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge that helped ensure victory for the Americans. The plaque reads "To World War II American Soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge - The greatest Land Battle in the history of the United States Army." (3)
Sources
(1) "Vets gather to honor thousands felled at Battle of the Bulge, " accessed on November 11th, 2014, http://www.army.mil/article/93135/Vets_gather_to_honor_thousands_felled_at_Battle_of_the_Bulge/
(2) "Battle of the Bulge," accessed on November 11th, 2014, http://www.army.mil/botb/overview.html
(3) "Battle of the Bulge," accessed on November 11th, 2014, http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore-the-Cemetery/Monuments-and-Memorials/Battle-of-the-Bulge