THE ROAD TO LUXEMBOURG

Written by MOTORBIKE EUROPE Road Writers - Monday, 21 March 2011 10:39

Luxembourg or Lëtzebuerg, The Grand Duchy situated between Belgium, France and Germany. When riding a motorcycle in these parts of the world, you are not always aware that you are in Luxembourg. Crossing through the Ardennes on small roads, only a few scattered signs let you know that you are in a place where one of the biggest battles for human freedom was fought, the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.

FRENCH AND GERMAN INFLUENCES

The name of the capital is also Luxembourg, which is also the name of a Belgian province on the border of the Grand Duchy. Up until 1945, German was the only official language, but after World War II, French was made an official language also. Luxembourg was occupied by German troops in both World War I and WWII. If you go north, you’ll find a plateau situated about 500 metres above sea level, with an abundance of forests and rivers. The densely populated ”Gutland” to the south, makes up part of the agricultural lands of Lorraine, France. Here you’ll be able to find unique stretches of forests.

WACHT AM RHEIN AND THE SIEGFRIED LINE

In December 1944, the German troops drew up a final Herculean effort against the Allies, who had fought through the Battle of Arnhem. It would be the last German offensive of the war, on the Western Front. The German army wanted to drive a wedge through the Allied frontline and take Antwerp, and then encircle the four allied armies based to the north. The German High Command hoped that it would be sufficient to force a peace treaty with the Allies, in favour of the Axis Powers. To make the Allies believe that it was a defensive operation, they had called it: ”Wacht Am Rhein” (Watch on the Rhine). Although initially slow to react, the Allies succeeded in halting the German offensive, and Hitler’s plan failed. The German attack gave the Allies an opportunity to vanquish some of the most elite German troops outside the Siegfried line, the German defensive perimeter on the border of France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

The Siege of Bastogne was fought between American and German troops as part of the Battle of the Bulge. The German objective had been the port of Antwerp. The Germans wanted to reach the harbour before the Allies had a chance to regroup. German tanks started the offensive on the 16th of December, to capture roads in the eastern part of Belgium.

RIDING THE ARDENNES

Seven main roads in the Ardennes mountains go through the small town of Bastogne. The siege lastede from the 20th to the 27th of December. The Besieged American troops were relieved by General Patton’s Third Army. Christmas Eve, saw the Americans begin forcing the Germans back, but it would take until the 8th of January, before German High Command would realise that the battle was lost, and initiate the tactical retreat. When you’re riding through Luxembourg, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that were made here, so that you can enjoy your freedom on your motorbike today, riding through the Ardennes.