On Sunday we drove about an hour from Luxembourg to the small town of Bastogne Belgium. This area is known as the site of the Battle of the Bulge of World War II. This was Hitlers last great offensive against the Americans. The battle began on December 16, 1944 and is called the Battle of the Bulge because this is the shape the front line took as the Germans attempted to push through the area. There were 7x the number of casualties here than at Normandy- nearly 81,000 Americans. The Americans were able to defeat the Germans despite being outnumbered, and this was the major turning point in the war.
When you visit this region and the huge memorial it is an amazing experience. You have a much greater appreciation for the sacrifices made here during World War II. Mark and I have learned more about history in the short time that we've been in Luxembourg than I think we ever remember learning in school. However, it is when you visit these regions, overlook the battle fields, walk through the museums and see the documentaries that you can't help but become a much more humbled and educated individual.
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