Monument

On December 25, 1944, the town of Ettelbruck was finally liberated from Nazi dictatorship after four years of occupation.

Following the initial liberation on September 11, 1944, Hitler did not admit defeat. On December 16, 1944, our country was invaded for a second time by the German army.

Thanks to the tireless commitment of the Allied forces, the so-called Rundstedt Offensive or Battle of the Bulge could be pushed back within a few weeks. Many young American soldiers died in combat.

In recognition of the liberation from the repression of Nazi troops, the population strongly desired to erect a monument in memory of the courageous American soldiers. Specifically, the idea of organizing an event in honor of General Patton and his brave soldiers first emerged within the Northern Cycling Union (UCN) in Ettelbruck.

George Platt Waller and the widow of General Patton praised the UCN officials for their initiative. The first “Grand Prix General Patton” race took place on May 11, 1947, and since then various Luxembourgish cycling clubs have taken responsibility for organizing it.

Additionally, the idea of creating a permanent memorial in honor of the liberator of Ettelbruck arose within the Cycling Union. As early as 1950, a photographic model developed by sculptor Lucien Wercollier and a stone replica by architect J.P. Kartheiser were displayed in Alex Wagner’s shop window. For traffic reasons, neither the site near the Wark Bridge opposite the “Pensionnat Ste Anne” nor the square in front of the agricultural school were selected.

Under the direction of Mayor Marcel Wiser, a “National Committee for the Erection of the Patton Monument” was established in 1951 with headquarters in Ettelbruck. On November 28, 1951, the municipal council met in the grand hall of the town hall with State Architect H. Schumacher to determine a precise location. During the public session on December 30, 1952, the municipal council unanimously chose a location near the bridge over the Sauer River, within the territory of Ettelbruck. The municipality of Ettelbruck contributed 100,000 francs toward the total cost of 500,000 francs. In addition, the municipality committed to covering the upkeep and floral arrangements at the memorial.

The urban architect H. Luja was tasked with executing the plans, while the Public Works Administration of Diekirch was responsible for overseeing the work. The plot designated for the memorial, owned by the State, was made available to the municipal administration for 99 years, for a symbolic rent of 1 franc, on the condition that no modifications could be made without prior authorization from the Public Works Administration.

On February 26, 1953, Minister of Public Works Victor Bodson approved this agreement, which was seen and approved by the Ministry of the Interior on March 5, 1953. The construction firm Theis-Vinandy from Vianden was entrusted with carrying out the work.

On February 28, 1953, H. Luja sent a letter to the American embassy in Brussels to obtain a precise list of the American military units under General Patton’s command that fought in Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge. On April 1, 1953, Military Attaché Colonel Wendell-Blanchard was able to present the list, the accuracy of which had been verified by the Historical Division in Washington.

During the press conference on May 5, 1954, at the Herckmans Hotel, H. Luja provided details regarding the monument’s design.

The pedestal of the monument represents a sword plunged into the homeland soil, symbolizing the ceasefire and peace. It is made of Gilsdorf stone, weather-resistant, and its rigid serenity signifies the irresistible determination to never deviate from the concept of peace in the future.

The American eagle, recalling the painful period of war, lays down the flag of the United States, a symbol of freedom. At the same time, it takes a new flight to carry its message of peace worldwide.

The eagle itself, with a wingspan of 2.10 meters, is carved from Euville stone, from the Meuse department in France. It was designed by art professor Pierre Droessaert and fabricated by sculptor Aurelio Sabbatini from Esch/Alzette.

The front of the monument bears the inscription:

“In Memoriam Lt.-Gen. G.S. Patton Jr.”

The rear of the monument displays the names of the army, corps, and divisions that participated in the liberation of our country. The inscription reads:

“1944-1945

To the everlasting remembrance of their sacrifice.

Third US Army. Army Corps: III VIII XII XX

Infantry Divisions: 4th 5th 26th 35th 76th 80th 83rd 87th 89th 90th.

17th Airborne Division.

Armored Divisions: 4th 6th 9th 10th 11th.”

The monument, located near the Sûre Bridge leading east and north, stands at a historical junction point for our country. It is here, on the railway line to the north, that American troops succeeded, during the Battle of the Bulge, in thwarting the surprise invasion of the Wehrmacht toward the Alzette Valley, and thus the heart of Luxembourg.

In 1957 Ettelbruck acquired the nickname “Patton Town of Luxembourg”, this was due to the annual Remembrance Days which were held in Ettelbruck until 2004. The first Remembrance Day ceremony took place in 1954 to coincide with the erection of the monument, these events drew tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors who came to witness the Allied military parade accompanied by an air show, making it a unique spectacle in the wider region surrounding Luxembourg. Troops and military vehicles from various nations, including the USA (Army and Air Force), France, Belgium, and Great Britain, actively participated in this noteworthy event.

In 2024, Patton Square underwent a redesign due to civil works on the road and bridge that took place in 2022. The ceremonial inauguration, attended by the United States Ambassador, took place in September of the same year.