(The Rail Splitters).The monuments- Link-Up Plaque (on the corner of the Rue de la Gare and the Route de Cielle) commemorates the meeting, on 11 January 1945, of the British 51st Highland Division and the US 84th Infantry Division.
On 11 January, La Roche was liberated by the British 51st Highland Division (The Black Watch) and the American 84th Infantry Division. By early January 1945, the Allied counter-offensive was underway and La Roche became the target of heavy Allied artillery shelling, which destroyed 90% of the town⤙s buildings and killed 114 civilians.
On 26 and 27 December, the Allies took advantage of a break in the weather and bombed La Roche from the air. The Allied army retreated rapidly in the face of this surprise offensive and did not have time to destroy the strategic bridge over the River Ourthe. On 20 December, the German 116th Panzer Division captured La Roche. The video with period photos of the liberation of La Roche in January 1945.- SPECIAL EXHIBITION: 65th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE ARDENNES Over 20 uniforms donated by veterans of the Battle of the Ardennes, plus German Lüger pistols, daggers, helmets and other unusual artefacts.īackgroundOn 16 December 1944, the Battle of the Ardennes began in bitterly cold and foggy weather. The museum has however decided to put the accent on the British participation during the Allied counter-attack (3 to 16 January 1945) and the liberation of La Roche and the villages of the left bank of the River Ourthe.Don't miss!- The Gun Room containing around 90 rifles, pistols and revolvers as well as one of the famous German ENIGMA code machines.- The Veterans' Room with artefacts donated by veterans of the battle and photos of their visits.- The Wall Maps large-scale displays showing the stages of the Battle of the Ardennes. The La Roche Museum of the Battle of the Ardennes is the only Battle of the Bulge museum to present a British section.Of course the American and German army with their respective arms and vehicles are well represented in attractive dioramas and showcases. It also contains around 20 military vehicles, documents, photographs, a series of dioramas, light and heavy weaponry, personal belongings and equipment found on the battleground near the town. Over 1,500m² on 3 levels, the museum displays 120 mannequins dressed as American, British, German, Belgian and also scottish soldiers with their kit.
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