The Battle for Sadzot Monument
Details:
To the south of the intersection.
A hewn stone bearing a rectangular black plaque that bears a commemoration message and three insignias of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, and the 75th Infantry Division. The inscription is written in French and white lettering. The memorial commemorates the victims, civilians as well as soldiers of the American units involved in the battle for Sadzot on December 27 and 28, 1944. Further detail about the battle can be read on the info sign in front of the monument.
On the night of December 27 to 28, using forest trails, a unit of 2. SS Panzer managed to break through the lines of defense of the 75th Infantry Division, entered the village, and surprised the Americans. Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, supported by tanks of the 3rd Armored Division, were sent as reinforcements. After savage and bloody fighting, the Germans withdrew leaving behind many dead. The village, with its houses destroyed, was once again occupied by the Americans.
Source of information: www.coeurdelardenne.be
Monument Text:
A LA MEMOIRE DES GI'S ET DES
VICTIMES CIVILES, FAIRON VICTOR
ET DROPSY EMILE, TOMBES A
SADZOT
DANS LA NUIT DU 27 AU 28 DEC 44,
LORS DE L'OFFENSIVE DES ARDENNES.
L'ATTAQUE SAUVAGE ET DESESPEREE
PAR DES ELEMENTS DES 2. ET 12.
SS PANZERDIVISIONEN JETA LA
MORT ET LA DESOLATION DANS CE
PAISABLE VILLAGE.
NOUS RENDONS HOMMAGE AU COURAGE
ET A LA DETERMINATION DES UNITES
AMERICAINES:
LE DETACHMENT DE LA 3RD ARMD DIV.
LE 509TH PARA INFANTRY BATTALION
LA CIE B DU 87TH MORTAR BATTALION
LE 289TH RGT. DE LA 75TH INF. DIV.
English translation:
TO THE MEMORY OF THE GIS' AND OF THE
CIVIL VICTIMS, VICTOR FAIRON
AND EMILE DROPSY WHO FELL AT
SADZOT
ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 27TH TO 28TH, 1944
DURING THE OFFENSIVE OF THE ARDENNES.
THE SAVAGE AND DESPERATE ATTACK
OF THE 2ND AND
12TH SS PANZER DIVISIONS
THREW DEATH AND DESOLATION INTO THIS
PEACEFUL VILLAGE.
WE PAY HOMAGE TO THE COURAGE
AND DETERMINATION OF THE
AMERICAN UNITS:
DETACHMENT OF THE 3RD ARMORED DIVISION
509TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY BATTALION
COMPANY B OF THE 87TH MORTAR BATTALION
289TH REGIMENT OF THE 75TH INFANTRY DIVISION
