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The Battle of Moircy

Belgium

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On 24 December 1944, an Allied aircraft attacked a German column in Moircy, setting fire to the Camille Clément-Irène Devahif house. On 30 December, fighting broke out between the Americans and Germans. More than 80 civilians took refuge in the Leriche house.

The Germans' return to Moircy in December 1944 was a critical period marked by the surprise offensive known as the “Offensive von Rundstedt”. The village, initially liberated in early September, was confronted by a column of German armour from the Panzer Lher Division, which had bypassed Bastogne to the south.

On 24 December, Allied aircraft attacked a German column moving towards Vesqueville, hitting a house inhabited by the Camille Clément-Irène Devahif family. Over the following days, the bombardments continued, and the Germans massively invaded the village with tanks set up in various places.

The story took a turn with the arrival of the 87th American Infantry Division, withdrawn from the Saar front on 23 December. After a difficult journey to the Belgian Ardennes, the American troops landed near Luchy on 29 December.

On 30 December, despite the snow slowing operations, Company A of the 1st Battalion, 345th Regiment, attacked Moircy. The Germans, well entrenched, defended their positions with mortars, machine guns and tanks. After fierce fighting, the Americans regained control of the village, but a German counter-attack came after nightfall.

Sergeant William P. Tayman distinguished himself by his heroism in directing the American artillery from a house, driving back the enemy. The village was finally liberated on 31 December, but American losses were heavy.

During the fighting, the civilian population of Moircy lived in terror. Young men had fled earlier, and the inhabitants took refuge in cellars to escape reprisals and the dangers of war. Civilians were herded together in precarious conditions during the fighting, living in anguish under the thunder of shells and the glow of fires.

It was a miracle that the village suffered no civilian casualties, despite the considerable damage. Residents emerged from their shelters after the fighting to see the disaster and the smoking ruins. Paula Fourny described the tragedy, highlighting the loss of houses, furniture, souvenirs and photos.

Overall, Moircy was the scene of an intense battle between American and German forces, leaving the village devastated but finally liberated at the end of 1944.

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Address

Route de Vesqueville, 6800 Moircy