The Solo Scale:
Luxembourg is a small country, surrounded by France, Germany, and Belgian on multiple fronts. Within an hour of the capital, you could be in any one of those countries. With that in mind, it becomes a little easier to understand why the Luxembourg American Cemetery exists in the country. With so many major battles taking place around Luxembourg’s borders, there’s a need for a final resting place for Allied and Axis forces.
Most notably at the Luxembourg American Cemetery are the graves of General Patton and those who lost their lives at the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, which took place for nearby. For anyone that watched Band of Brothers, that will sound familiar. That battle was the focal point of the episode Bastogne. The cemetery highlights the show’s focus by providing a guide to some of the graves of the 101st Airborne.
However, while the show highlights these men, they’re not the only brave ones who gave their lives for their country. As with many of the cemeteries from the two World War conflicts, the sheer scale can be overwhelming. That’s especially true when you consider how many of these graveyards dot the European landscape.
Because of the notoriety of the men featured in Band of Brothers, these graves are set apart subtly with a single flower to designate them. In the crypt, you can also find a map that shows you where to find their headstones.
By following the directions, you can count the number of rows to find the right one. Then, head in and count each marker to find the designated one.
TRIP TIP: If you’re going in the morning, don’t wear a pair of shoes that you love. They run sprinkler systems at night and sometimes do lawn maintenance. That means that you might end up with extremely messy shoes if you head there first thing in the morning. It’s worth it for the lack of crowds. You should still wear a pair of shoes that you don’t care much about or can be cleaned easily.
The other grave set apart from the rest is General Patton. However, unlike so many of his men, Patton didn’t die in battle. He was in a car crash and died from complications months after the war ended (in December of 1945), leading to several discussions about where Patton should be laid to rest. Those closest to him inevitably decided the best place would be in Luxembourg with the soldiers that were marking their eternal peace here after losing their lives at the Battle of the Bulge.
If you’re in the area, this is a good stop to pay your respects. It’s a sombre reminder of the history that soaks the ground of the countries you’re visiting. While it won’t take up much of your day, it’s a great diversion if you’re planning to go to Luxembourg.
On your way out, you can visit a little office with some pamphlets and other information about the cemetery. To get more details and plan a visit, head to the Luxembourg American Cemetery’s website. It’s a sombre visit, but an important one to remember the sacrifice that so many of these men made.
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