77 years ago, the “Schumanns Eck” near Nothum at an important crossroads near Wiltz was fiercely fought over between Allied and German soldiers. It was the Second World War and the Germans under their dictator Adolf Hitler had launched an offensive on 16 December 1944 to prevent the advance of the Allied armies on Germany.

The “Ardennes Offensive” or “Rundstedt Offensive” led from the Eifel in Germany towards Bastogne in Belgium. The Germans wanted to advance to the important Belgian port of Antwerp. The Allies managed to push them back, but fierce fighting ended up costing the lives of more than 150,000 soldiers and thousands of civilians and severely devastated the Oesling. At “Schumanns Eck” the fighting was particularly fierce.

Traces of trenches and bullet holes in trees and walls can still be found there today. At “Schumanns Eck” there is a circular trail with signs explaining what happened here back then. In the forest you can also see life-size photos with scenes that took place here during the war.  

More information

  • The memorial trail starts near the N15 road west of Nothum.  
  • It is about three kilometres long. 
  • A brochure can be found here.
  • You can prepare the visit with children using material on schouldoheem.lu.
  • You can also watch this interesting, interactive documentary film beforehand.