Drive into the tiny hamlet of Herzfenn; the 589th FAB were based in and around here. Opposite, there used to be a dance hall, owned by Herr Kessler, captured American Officers were brought for interrogation. Great care must be taken when parking, not to block the trails, these are not in constant use, but farmers or loggers have a nasty habit of creeping up on you and get fed up if they cannot get by. 'Bulge' refers to the German penetration of the US lines during the battle. This road was called ‘Skyline Drive’ or ‘Skyline Boulevard’ by the Americans. This is the start of the famed Schnee Eifel. Ridgeway arrives in Vielsalm. Map of St Vith drawn 15 November 1944. The famous photographs and propaganda German newsreel film of American prisoners being marched away was filmed alongside the River Our in this vicinity. This track was used by the 423rd Regiment and 590th FAB on their way to attack Schonberg. Where the road (N595) does a large left hand loop there is a lay-by on the right. It was in this area by the Ihrenbach Stream that vehicles of 423rd Infantry Regiment and the 590th Field Artillery Battalion finally ended up. Village strongpoints set up by the U.S. cavalry groups, plus sustained artillery fire from VIII Corps reserve units and 106th Division units, deny German units the roads. He is aware Montgomery has already decided to withdraw from the St. Vith area. If in doubt about anything lying around, DO NOT TOUCH. Above all try and cast your mind back to that terrible December in 1944 and give your respect to those brave soldiers of both sides. More than 8,000 Americans were captured as German formations rampaged west, In the centre of the ridge is the Schwarzer Mann, the highest spot around. This was the sight of Divisional Headquarters. Hastily dug foxholes and the remains of a 50 calibre ammunition box near the Ihrenbach Stream. Remains of the couduroy road can still be seen in places. First, the scene-setting. If you, The next hamlet along ‘Skyline Drive’ is Radscheid. Midway down the hill, you will pass from Belgium into Germany; there is a small (usually unmanned) customs post on your right. The large hill on the left, covered in trees, is the famous Hill 504. In this building was housed Company A, 331st Medical Battalion, serving the 422nd Infantry Regiment and the 14th Cavalry, it was used as their Aid Station. The 423rd Infantry crossed here, on its way to Hill 504. Here the 590th Field Artillery Battalion were in position, with Its firing batteries in the woods on the left of the road. Bastogne was an important communications center and was worth the gamble made for its defense. The 1st and 2nd Battalions were here behind Hill 536 at daybreak on 19 December. As you come out of the woods there is a turning right that leads to Amelscheid, immediately opposite this in the open field, was the final position of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion, before it drove ‘hell for leather’ through Schonberg and some of it onto St Vith. This has the effect of breaking the defense into isolated positions, and denies corps and army commands information on events at the front line. The LVIII Panzer Corps’ advance south of St. Vith threatens to close a pincer around the entire St. Vith salient at Vielsalm, 11 miles west of St. Vith, trapping most of First Army. Opposite the school is a bar, this was once Dietrich’s Headquarters for a time. The defenders’ battleground is the Ardennes. Through these localities were the road nets that, if held, would disrupt the plan of any aggressor. Or, you can stay in any of the numerous ‘Gasthaus’ or smaller hotels scattered around the area. 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