​​Battle of Lanzerath Ridge​

​​On the morning of 16 December 1944, soldiers of Kampfgruppe Peiper, German 1st SS Liberstande Adolf Hitler Panzer Division, moved forward from the German border, towards Belgium and the American frontlines. A destroyed bridge that had not been replaced with the German retreat months earlier meant they were forced to divert their advance early on. This diversion led them through the village of Lanzerath.

​In Lanzerath on the ridgeline, soldiers of the I&R Platoon, 3rd Battalion, US 394th Infantry Regiment, led by 24-year-old officer Lieutenant Lyle Bouck, were setup in defensive positions. With only about 18 men, they had well-hidden and entrenched positions along the front edge of the wood, overlooking fields sloping down to the village road through the. They had limited weapons; a handful of machine guns to support the riflemen.

​On the afternoon of 16 December, Kampfgruppe Peiper's lead vehicles made their way along the road. Supported by the German 3rd Falschirmjager Division, they headed towards the overlooking positions of the I&R Platoon. The German troops conducted a frontal attack on the wooded ridgeline but were repelled by the small number of American soldiers. A second attack suffered the same outcome. The German troops did not advance, they did not know what strength or capability the American troops had.

​However, a third German attack finally broke through US lines. The American soldiers who were able withdrew, whilst the others were captured. Only 15 were captured or wounded, including Lieutenant Bouck. They were taken to a local building and held there.

​During this time a German officer, described as wearing a long black leather coat, came in and began to argue with the other German soldiers present. This was later believed to be Jochiem Peiper, notorious leader of Kampfgruppe Peiper. He was angry that his troops were now hours behind schedule and with the delays he wanted to get his convoy moving again.

​Lieutenant Bouck and his I&R Platoon were later officially recognised for their brave actions on the Lanzerath Ridge and for significantly delaying the German troops’ advance. The platoon later became the most decorated of the Second World War.

​Today, memorial at the site commemorates the events of 16 December 1944 and honours all those involved in the fighting.​