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The inhabitants of Houffalize rebuild a bridge in 45 minutes

A plaque bearing the name of Colonel Charles Lanham is affixed to the bridge over the Ourthe in Houffalize. It was placed in honor of the town's inhabitants, celebrated by this commander of the 22nd American Infantry Regiment for their exceptional feat: the reconstruction of the bridge in just 45 minutes!

Located on the road between Bastogne and Liège, the town of Houffalize was an important crossing point in the Ardennes during World War II. The town's bridges allowed for the crossing of the Ourthe River, whose winding and steep valley posed a major obstacle to the rapid advance of the German army. On May 10, 1940, the bridge was taken without a fight. When the German army retreated during the first liberation on September 10, 1944, they blew up the bridges on the axes crossing the Ardennes town. The inhabitants of Houffalize rebuilt the bridge over the Ourthe in 45 minutes, earning the thanks of the American colonel:

"September 10, 1944, to the citizens of Houffalize. Allow me to thank you for your magnificent work in assisting our advance. Your young men cleared the roads of the obstructions left by the enemy. Before the arrival of the engineers, your skilled craftsmen built a bridge in 45 minutes, which carried the heaviest equipment. Although we have received help in many towns and cities in France and Belgium, no locality has helped us as much and as intelligently as Houffalize. Above all, we thank you for your gifts of wine, cakes, fruits, and flowers. My troops and I will always remember Houffalize as a living symbol of the Belgium that all Americans respect and admire. C.T. Lanham, Colonel, United States Army."

A plaque commemorating the event is affixed to the wall bordering the structure. It was permanently rebuilt by the American engineers after three days of heavy vehicle passage. Destroyed again during the Battle of the Bulge and the bombings of the town, it was finally rebuilt between September 1949 and September 1950. 

Rue du Pont, 6660 Houffalize
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