The small town of Bastogne (Flemish Bastenaken), known for its tasty smoked ham and its nuts, is situated on the plateau of the Ardennes not far from the Luxembourg border. Today the town's name is inseparably linked with the Battle of the Ardennes, the final German counter-offensive of the Second
World War mounted late in 1944 and early 1945.
Bastogne's medieval fortress, strategically sited at the intersection of two great military roads (Reims to Cologne and Arlon to Tongeren), caught fire in the 13th C. and was eventually destroyed by the French in 1688.
On December 16, 1944 German forces launched their last great offensive of the Second World War in the Ardennes, with the intention of advancing on Antwerp. The initial swift German push succeeded in surrounding Bastogne, trapping U.S. troops commanded by General McAuliffe.
Called upon to surrender McAuliffe refused, holding out for a further four days. General Patton's tanks finally broke the German siege, so liberating Bastogne for the second time. The Battle of the Ardennes ended on January 25, 1945 with the Allies poised to advance into Germany.
Second World War Remembrance Day services are held in December.
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