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The village of Bérismenil in the Battle of the Bulge

On the heights of La Roche-en-Ardenne, the small village of Bérismenil was attacked by the German army during the Battle of the Bulge. Although it had been liberated in September, it, like other villages in the region, suffered the consequences of the return to fighting in December 1944.

On December 18, the village priest saw a group of American artillerymen rush through the village towards La Roche-en-Ardenne. To the mute interrogations of the inhabitants, they only responded with a few gestures of helplessness.

There were several days of unrest in the neighbouring villages, affected by the fighting, which could be felt from a distance. On 20 December, Bérismenil was stormed by the German 116th Armoured Division. This unit, which came from Houffalize, took the village and set up artillery batteries. A period of occupation followed, rekindling fear among the population. On 26 and 27 December, Allied bombing raids hit the region in quick succession, causing major damage. In the centre of the village, walls and roofs collapsed. The impact of the bombs blew out doors and windows, and set fire to several houses. With injuries requiring urgent treatment and intact equipment needing to be moved to safety, the villagers organised themselves as best they could. It was only after the liberation on 13 January 1945 by the 84th American Infantry Division that the situation calmed down.

In February, the village priest reported on the consequences of the fighting. At the time, there were thirteen civilian casualties, including five people killed, three people shot and five people who died as a result of their wounds and the cold. Many homes in the village were damaged or destroyed, making them uninhabitable for the inhabitants. Trees had collapsed and a large quantity of abandoned equipment lay strewn about. The morale of the civilians had been severely tested, and in addition to the loss of life, the state of health and fertility of the soil were of particular concern. 

In memory of these traumatic events, a stele for the victims of January was installed on the square in front of the church, alongside the First World War monument. A monument to the dead of the Second World War was added near the village school.

6980 Bérismenil
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