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NEW WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE NOT UPDATED CONTENT
Welcome to the National Museum
of Military History and above all, welcome to my hometown, the city of Diekirch
and to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg!
By visiting our museum, you take a journey back in time, primarily to the snow-covered
and icy Luxembourg Ardennes during winter 44-45, when the German army launched
its last-gamble, large-scale surprise attack against allied (American) units
on the Western Front. The ensuing so-called "Battle of the Bulge"
or "Ardennes Offensive" that was fought in the Belgian and Luxembourg
Ardennes, resulted in the extensive damaging of numerous peaceful farming villages
and small towns in northern Luxembourg, the loss of countless lives -- both
military and civilian - , and the destruction of undisturbed landscapes and
property. It took years for Luxembourg to recover from those tragic events which,
like no other in recent history, affected and marked the nation and its inhabitants.
The story our museum tries to factually tell, is the one of daily life in the
field of the opposing German and American soldiers, as well as of for the civilians
caught in the cross-fire. It is the dramatic story of human suffering, of tragedy,
of courage and bravery, of unselfishness and valor. It is the story of human
beings caught in extreme and sometimes desperate situations. As a result, almost
60 years after those tragic events, the museum often becomes a platform and
gathering place for returning veterans from two former opposing sides, as well
as their descendants, to "re-digest" history and to meet as friends.
Along that same line, the museum fulfills an important mission in fostering
mutual bonds of friendship between Germany, the United States, and Luxembourg
by jointly-remembering!
A series of striking life-size dioramas, carefully rebuilt on the base of
numerous personal oral history reports from American and German veterans and
Luxembourg eyewitnesses, provides a detailed and balanced view of the tragic events of
December 44 - January 45. Moreover these dioramas enable the visitor
to reflect on a given situation and identify himself with it. The message
that is encompassed in our impartial and objective dioramas is that there was equal human suffering
on the American, German and civilian side of that decisive major military
conflict in the "Ardennes".
Apart from the packing dioramas, the museum also features an extensive collection
of both American and German general military equipment, uniforms and accoutrements,
weapons, vehicles and artillery, ammunition, rations, medical, communication-
and engineer equipment, personal soldier’s belongings and numerous original
still photographs. In a combined way, our dioramas, the topical exhibits on
3 levels, as well as the visits to the pre-mentioned other relevant sites,
contribute to a better understanding of the battle and to the joint reinforced commitment
of "never again!"
Finally, in a separate section, the National Museum of Military History also
shows the history of the pre-1940 Luxembourg "Compagnie de volontaires"
(armed force) and the post WWII Luxembourg army
up to it’s present role and participation as a NATO and WEU partner in multinational
peacekeeping- and humanitarian aid missions.
However, a tour of the National Museum of Military History would not be complete
without a visit of the nearby transborder historical trail near
Hoesdorf and Wallendorf (Germany), as well as the
Luxembourg American cemetery in Hamm/Luxembourg and the German military cemetery
in Sandweiler and other war-related memorials and sites throughout Luxembourg.
I invite you to further explore our website to learn more about our museum
prior to coming for an indepeth on-site visit. Your interest and support and
valued comments are an encouragement for us in our effort to not only preserve
a chapter of history, but at the same time pay tribute to those who served and
to remember all those who gave their lives for a better future.
We are convinced that you will enjoy the museum and our exhibits.
So welcome again and thank you for your visit and interest.
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Sincerely,
Roland J.Gaul
Founder and curator
of the National Museum of Military History |
PS : We apologize for the temporary inconveniences and absence of available
parking on the museum compound due to present construction on the adjacent area.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
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