Special events and ceremonies 2004

National Liberation Memorial at Schumanns Eck enhanced by Memorial Trail

On June 12, 2004, the National Liberation Memorial (NLM) Association (comprised of the "Bulge" museums of Ettelbruck, Clervaux, Diekirch and Wiltz) had invited to the official inauguration of the comprehensive and impressive memorial trail, documenting the tough fighting at sub-zero temperatures that raged in the dense forests around Schumanns Eck crossroads (near Wiltz) in December 1944 – January 1945.

Pamphlet describing the Memorial Trail. Can be obtained at the Wiltz’ Tourist office.

The initiators of the existing Memorial had planned this trail for several years and the 60^th anniversary appeared to be the appropriate occasion for the official inauguration.

NLM artist Fernand Zens had spent months of tireless work carefully plotting the trail, creating colored plates and narratives to go along with a number of self-explaining traces of the battle. Numerous foxholes, dugouts and countless shell craters are silent witnesses of the intense fighting.

German positions in the Schumanns Eck forest, as seen by NLM artist Fernand Zens.

American foxholes, as can still be seen today.

All in all, the entire trail is 2,8 KMs long and is easy to walk (no up-and downs). Together with the existing National Liberation Memorial with its situation maps and unit crests, the trail provides a lasting impression of the human tragedy that took place in those woods where hundreds of American and German soldiers were killed, MIA or wounded.

The trail also comprises an additional memorial named "Massegraf" (mass grave), located at the exact site, where over 160 German soldiers and several American soldiers had been temporarily buried together in 1945 pending removal and reburial. The plaque is dedicated to "ALL SOLDIERS" killed in the woods around Schumanns Eck.

The impressive inauguration ceremony was attended by over 300 guests including a delegation of 90^th U.S. Infantry Division veterans, as well as high-ranking Luxembourg and foreign dignitaries.

Enhanced by the Luxembourg army band and honor guard, the official ceremony was opened by a welcome speech by Mr. Pierre Brosien, NLM President, followed in turn by addresses of Mayors Romain Schneider and Nico Loes. The deputy chiefs of mission of the German and British Embassies, as well as U.S. Ambassador Terpeluk then gave their acknowledgements, before concluding remarks were made by Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker. The latter one highlighted the importance of the balanced and impartial documentation of this special chapter of history thru the memorial trail and underlined the reconciliation efforts between veterans in the context of the 60^th anniversary.

Numerous high-ranking dignitaries, including Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, attended the official inauguration of the “Schumanns Eck Memorial trail”.

The attendance was then invited to walk a section of the trail leading past the visible remains of the battle explained by beautiful artwork panels, created by Fernand Zens. The highlight of the entire event was doubtlessly the joint unveiling of the "Massegraf" commemorative plaque by two former opponents, who actually fought here for over two weeks and luckily survived. U.S. veteran PfC, Harry Harvey (90^th U.S. Infantry Division) and German "Gefreiter" Erhard Mitzinnek (formerly 9^th Volksgrenadierdivision) shook hands and hugged each other before addressing the attendance in two very emotional speeches. Both men were the true "heroes" of the day, as this was a unique ceremony – the first of its kind in Luxembourg and an excellent prelude for the many 60^th anniversary-related commemorations that will take place in Luxembourg over the coming months.

Veterans Harry Harvey(right), (90th U.S. Infantry division) and Erhard Mitzinnek (left) (9th Volksgrenadierdivision ) after unveiling the memorial plaque dedicated to all soldiers, killed in the Schumanns Eck forest.

The trail can be visited any time of the year. The start is located some 300 meters from the NLM Memorial. Take the first way to the right on the main road from Schumanns Eck crossroads in direction of Bastogne and follow the markers in the woods. Additional information can be obtained from the Wiltz Tourist board: