Origins and development
In 1982, a small group of military history enthusiasts and militaria collectors
founded the "Dikricher Geschichtsfrenn" (Diekirch Historical Society),
a non-profit organization, entirely composed of volunteers, that was to become
the platform for the future Diekirch military museum. Supported by the local
city authorities and the Luxembourg army, the early museum under its initial
denomination of "Diekirch Historical Museum" was opened to the public
in September 1984 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the liberation
of Luxembourg and the "Battle of the Bulge" (BoB) or "Ardennes Offensive".
It then consisted of some 10 showrooms with large historical reconstructions
and special exhibits with main focus on the dramatic and tragic events that
took place in Luxembourg in December 1944-January 1945 during the Battle of
the Bulge (BoB). In 1987 and 1989, additional displays and exhibition rooms
were added, including the impressive large diorama depicting the "Sauer
river crossing" by units of the 5th U.S. Infantry division in January 1945.
After its initial success, the executives decided to create a second point of
emphasis inside the museum -- the history of the Luxembourg army (opened in
1994). This section also enabled the museum to be renamed into "National
Museum of Military History" by ministerial decree, which also provided
for official recognition and support by key Luxembourg governmental institutions.
Presently, the museum is supervised and administrated by a joint board, comprising
delegates of the Diekirch Historical Society, the City of Diekirch, and the
Luxembourg Government. The heart of the museum is its working team, which so
far has totaled over 53,000 volunteer working hours, creating and expanding
exhibits, as well as maintaining the existing collections. The museum staff
also provides guides for narrated tours on request and keeps contact with similar
museums and organizations abroad. Future plans center primarily around the enhancement
of the museum exhibits by modern multimedia means in addition to creating a
research library as well as a historical records- and audiovisual archive.
Its philosophy
Since its early origins, the founders of the museum were guided by one key
bottom line: the balanced, impartial and objective representation of the historical
facts of the BoB with detailed and historically-correct close-up on the three
sides of that major 1944/45 military conflict: the German-, the American, and
the civilian side. This goal was primarily reached through the creation of life-size
and carefully-researched dioramas, which are all based on oral history records
and available photographs or other authentic historical materials. Primarily,
countless interviews made with veterans and eye witnesses of the three sides
thus enabled factual historical accuracy and balanced objectivity. " The
museum is not an institution to tear up scarred wounds from W.W.II; it is a
lively lesson of history that brings people together and makes them think and
reflect on those tragic events to identify oneself with certain extreme situations.
It is also a strong recognition for all those "who served" and a lasting tribute
to those who gave their lives". Along
that line, the museum staff has often acted as a venue and assisted in projects
tn bringing together veterans from former opposed sides to meet as friends.
In a second section, the museum also provides an educational view of the development
of the "national" Luxembourg armed forces since the creation of the
Grand Duchy.
Its exhibits
The key attraction of the museum is doubtlessly its large selection of dioramas,
which are all 1:1 scale mock ups of various aspects of everyday life during
that crucial 1944/45 battle from a military and civilian point of view. As such,
the museum features accurately-reconstructed scenes showing German and American
soldiers in battlefield conditions, as well as civilians caught in the crossfire.
The largest (150 square meters) and doubtlessly the most striking and dramatic
diorama shows troops of Gen. Patton’s Third Army (5th U.S. Infantry Division,
"Red Diamond") about to cross the icebound "Sauer river" on January
18, 1945 to liberate Diekirch. In addition, the museum also has numerous special
thematic exhibits and displays of vehicles, artillery, weapons, uniforms, individual
gear and equipment, as well as personal belongings of soldiers from both sides.
Hundreds of authentic photographs, maps, and documents, complete the historical
exhibition. This same approach applies also to the Luxembourg army section,
which has a series of dioramas of key chapters in the history of the Luxembourg
armed forces, as well as thematic displays. Altogether, the museum has way over
2.200 square meters of exhibition space on three levels, with additional sections
being created in the years to come.
Visitors and what they say
So far, (since 1984), the museum has registered close to 500,000 visitors
from all nationalities and all walks of life. Numerous Luxembourg and foreign
high
school student classes visit the museum, just as many veteran groups do. Very
often, foreign VIPs and delegations come to the museum to familiarize themselves
with the history of Luxembourg during W.W.II. The museum is rapidly gaining
popularity far beyond its national borders as reflected by some of the following
true visitors’ statements, noticed in the museum’s guestbook; such as:
- "Congratulations on this museum.
It certainly is a memorable one, not only for its contents, but for the marvelous
way everything is displayed." (Anne Eisenhower, Grand-daughter of Gen.
D. D. Eisenhower).
- "The United States Permanent
Congressional Delegation to the European Parliament is deeply moved by the
reality and power of this museum as it depicts the heroism and horror of WW
II . We are profoundly grateful to all our heroes for allowing us to live
in a free society" (Delegation of U.S. Congress)
- "Blessing on your very
important work! The care, thoroughness and enthusiasm, which have gone into
this most unusual museum stands out very much! I feel this will be a very
significant center of education for the young and of reconciliation. With
gratitude, especially on behalf of the Patton family." (Sister Margaret
Georgina Patton, Grand-daughter of Gen G. S. Patton).
- "The remembrance of unhappy
times never leaves me. Fortunately remembrance means also the past" (German
veteran)
- "We were very much impressed
by thoughtful and expert realization of the museum, as by the wealth and nature
of the exposed artifacts. The initiators of the museum have carefully depicted
the tragic events of 1944-45, so that the equipment and efforts of both sides
of that last great European conflict are equally represented. This war is
not forgotten, but overcome. The former opponents now forge a free Europe
as allies" (Head of German veteran group)
- "The exposure to all those
weapon makes me sad and realize that still today very little people commit
themselves to work towards peace. The tragic bygone events are an obligation
for all of us to commit ourselves to peace" (German veteran)
- "Now I learned more about war!"
(Luxembourg juvenile)
- "This is our fourth visit to
the museum and every time there’s new things to discover" (Luxembourg
visitor)
- "Extremely impressed -- I spent
several hours here and blew our schedule to pieces" (British visitor)
- "Enormous changes here since
two years -- a "must do" stop for anyone visiting Luxembourg. Thank
you for this superb reminder of the horrors of war!" (American visitor)
- "This museum is of incredible
realism by objectivity, which distinguishes it from numerous similar museums.
A big hand for its initiators" (Belgian visitor)
- "To all volunteer collaborators
of the Diekirch National Museum of Military History, my deep appreciation
for their commitment in the interest of an objective historical description
of the tragic events during the "Battle of the Ardennes, 1944-45"
(German veteran)
- "I pray that no future historian
will need to do the same for a future conflict" (U.S. veteran)
- "15 months after my first visit
- what a miracle these guys have accomplished certainly one of the most complete
and accurate museums on the "Bulge" I have ever seen" (U.S.
veteran) - "Thank you for preserving the past; even though the memories
are painful" (U.S. veteran)
- "We believe you have established
an important museum for the preservation of warm relations between Luxembourg
and the United States" (U.S. veteran, head of veteran delegation)
- "All my respects for the working
group of the Diekirch Historical Museum, who, through their efforts are fulfilling
an important historical mission" (Member of Luxembourg Government)
- "A honorable memory of those
who have fallen for peace" (U.S. visitor)
- "Coming from a painfully experienced
country, Poland, I find encouraging the fact the people of Luxembourg arranged
this exposition in the most objective way. May brotherhood in arms become
the brotherhood in peace and cooperation." (Polish visitor)
- "A visit to the museum and
former battlefield left a deep impression. The officers and NCOs of the German
airborne school thank you all for the objective representation" (Delegation
of German Army)
- "Congratulations for an outstanding
museum--very interesting in every aspect" (French visitor)
- "Excellent museum with a very
display and outstanding documentation, above all because of the objective
bilateral representation of the conflict" (Dutch visitor)
- "Remarkable display. Excellent
detail and explanations first class. This museum stands comparison with any
I have visited" (U.S. tour operator)
- "Superb! Cannot compare! This
is the most detailed and accurate war museum I have ever visited, so much
richer because of its exhibits" (Belgian visitor)
- "Always new things to discover.
We deeply appreciate our Luxembourg museum" (Luxembourg visitors)
- "Superb work! But sad and touching,
especially for those persons, who lived through this dark period" (German
visitor)
- "I’ve seen all the museums
in the area--this one is by far the best" (Dutch collector)
- " One of the finest museum
I have ever visited!" (Canadian visitor)
- "Extremely impressed -- I spent
several hours here and blew our schedule to pieces" (British visitor)
- "The most authentic collection
of the "Battle of the Bulge" that I have ever seen. It brought
back
most vivid memories." (American veteran)
- "This museum is of incredible
realism by objectivity, which distinguishes it from numerous similar museums.
A big hand for its initiators" (Belgian visitor)
- "As one who has studied and
taught WW II, I have never seen such excellent display in my life" (American
scholar)
- "Wonderful and well-kept museum.
A special highlight is the objective representation of both sides" (German
visitor)
Additional and current comments can be viewed by visiting our virtual
guestbook
Address and opening hours
The National Museum of Military History is located in the complex of the
"Old brewery" in Diekirch (presently under reconstruction)
at:
 Address |
|
| Opening
hours |
from January 1 - March
20:
from March 21 - November 1:
from November 2 - December 31: |
daily 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
daily 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
daily 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
|
| Admission fees |
Adults:
Children under 10 years:
Children 10 - 18 years and
students ( with student ID card ):
Military in uniform :
WW II Veterans ( with veteran ID card ):
Disabled:
Group rate ( as of 10 persons ):
Guided tours ( as of 10 persons ):
Multilingual AUDIO-guides (optional): |
5 €
free
3 €
3 €
free
free
3 € / person
5 € / person *
2,5 € / person |
* : Guided tours are available for groups (10+)
only on written
request and
on 2 weeks' pre-notice! |
|
Please note: Due to the present construction
works around the museum main building, only very limited or
temporarily no parking may be available. We apologize for the inconvenience
and suggest the parking lot next to the Diekirch church, 250 m from the museum.
How to get to Diekirch
a) from LUXEMBOURG City by car : Drive up north
taking directions MERSCH-ETTELBRUCK, then follow through to DIEKIRCH. the museum
is indicated in town by markers "Musée National d’Histoire Militaire"
and is located about 250 meters from the church in direction of CLERVAUX. Average
driving time from LUXEMBOURG is about 50 minutes.
b) from LUXEMBOURG City by CFL train : There are
CFL trains on the one hour schedule from LUXEMBOURG train station to ETTELBRUCK.
From ETTELBRUCK station, trains or buses continue on the half-hour schedule
to DIEKIRCH. Trains and buses stop at DIEKIRCH train station, From there, the
museum is about a 10-minutes’ walk through the center of town, passing the church.
Several buses stop in front of the church, a 2-minutes’ walk from the museum.
CFL train schedules can be consulted at:www.cfl.lu/f/rail/horairesen.htm
Our friendly reception staff
|
In Memoriam Patrick JUNK (+)
Long-term faithful and reliable receptionist and custodian,
who unexpectedly passed away on May 9, 2003. He will be remembered as
a great friend,supporter and asset
to the museum community.
THANK YOU PATRICK ! |
.jpg)
Madeleine Peiffer-Schmitz
Our friendly "calling
card", welcomes visitors as the museum's key receptionist
with a "smile" together with other part-time colleagues. |
Mariette Theisen
As of June 2003, Mariette Theisen has become a further key
asset of the museum's front desk, working together- or rotating
with Madeleine Peiffer-Schmitz
|
Our most recent acquisition , "Moorchen" or "Maurice"
(our own museum cat), has been adopted as an abandoned kitten in September
2000 by the museum staff and can often be seen at the reception desk
welcoming visitors with a friendly "purrrrrr"
|
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