Parker's Crossroads Battle Dedication plaque
Details:
Directly in front of the howitzer at the center of the memorial park. Plaque
| On December 19, 1944, in the afternoon, a group of about 100 men of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion (106th Infantry Division) under command of Major Arthur C. Parker established there a defensive position. On the following hours, they received reinforcements of several units: • a few men of 87th Reconnaissance Squadron (7th Armored Division) • a small outfit of 203rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery AW Battalion (7th Armored Division) • a few tanks of 3rd Armored Division. • a few 3 Inch guns of 643rd Tank-Destroyer Battalion. • a small outfit of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. • "F" Company of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment (82nd Airborne. |
| From December 19 through December 23, about 300 men resisted against the German 560th Volksgrenadiere Division and later the German 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich". On December 23, around 5 p.m., after a heavy artillery shelling, the 4th Grenadier Regiment overwhelmed the position and forced Americans to surrender. Most of the defenders were taken prisoners and about only 50 men could escape. In 1980, in a letter to Major Parker, General Gavin commander of the 82nd Airborne, Stated: "The stand that your defenders made at the crossroads was one of the great actions of the war. It gave us at least twenty four hours respite, so I thank you for that, and all the brave soldiers who were under your command". |
Monument Text:
A l’initiative du CRIBA et de la commune de Vielsalm, cette AIRE DU SOUVENIR dotée d’un canon Howitzer 105 MM – 1941. Dédiée aux Etats Unis d’Amérique et a ses valeureux combattants a été inaugure le 7 mai 1994 a l’occasion du 50eme anniversaire de la Bataille des Ardennes. Elle est enrichie du monument élevé à la mémoire du Major Arthur C Parker par le Lions Club Haute Ardenne en 1984.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: At the initiative of the CRIBA and the town of Vielsalm, this memorial park features a 105mm Howitzer from 1941. Dedicated to the United States of America and its valorous combatants, it was inaugurated on 7 May 1994 for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. It complements the monument in memory of Major Arthur C Parker erected by the Lions Club of the High Ardennes in 1984.
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
106th Infantry Division
589th Field Artillery Battalion
United States Army
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Battle of the Bulge