3rd Armored Division "Spearhead" US Memorial (Sherman)

Historical information

Beffe (Belgium)

Stopped within sight of the village of Beffe, occupied by numerically superior German units, Task force Hogan was forced to withdraw to better defensive positions in Marcouray.

The memorial depicts a Sherman tank dedicated to Colonel Hogan of the 3rd US armoured Division Spearhead, and the 771st Tank Battalion (Place de l’Eglise).

Erezée (Belgium)

Just when leaving the British Memorial in Hotton stands a US Memorial dedicated to two US Infantry Divisions (74th and 75th) and to two US Armored Divisions (2nd and 3rd). The grave of a US corporal (John E. Shields) stands near the memorial, he was the very first man shot in Melines followed soon by more than two hundreds brothers in arms.

Hotton (Belgium)

Coming from Houffalize, but considering the bridge over the Ourthe at La Roche unreliable for the crossing of an armoured column, on December Panzer decided to head for Samrée, Dochamps, Erezée and Soy and to cross the river at Hotton. But the efficient resistance of the American units blocked the German tanks at the entrance to the town. So they turned around and headed back towards La Roche.

In the first days of January ’45, it was from Hotton that several armoured and infantry units of the British 30th Corps launched their troops in the Allied counter-offensive towards La-Roche-en-Ardenne, their objective being to push the Germans back, clean out the west bank of the River Ourthe sector, and link-up with the American troops.

The memorial depicts a turret of a British “Firefly” Sherman tank dedicated to the 53rd Welsh Division and supporting armoured units.

Wibrin (Belgium)

On Christmas Eve, three villagers were taken away by the Germans and shot by pistol at point-blank range. Their bodies were not found until April’45.

The US Memorial depicts a Sherman tank wreckage saved by villagers in 1950 from scrap metal dealers who had already begun their work of cutting it up.

Spean Bridge (Scotland)

In the summer of 1940 when Britain's fortunes in WW2 were at their lowest ebb and an enemy invasion was theatened Winston Churchill boldly ordered the raising of an elite force to raid the enemy-held coastline of Europe and regain the initiative. The new units, which initially consisted of volunteers from the regiments and corps of the British Army, were called "Commandos".

Within weeks they were in action in Europe later in the Middle East and the Far East. During the next five years they fought in every theatre of war with such success that the word "Commando" became feared by the enemy yet respected by friendly forces.

In 1942 the Commando Basic Training Centre was established in the Scottish Highlands at Achnacarry. There potential Commando soldiers (who by then came from not only the British Army but also the Royal Marines and the Allied Armies) underwent their tough and purposeful training. Only those who successfully completed all the course were accepted and privileged to wear the famous "Green Beret". This distinctive head-dress was acknowledged as the hallmark of the highest standards of military training, self-discipline, physical endurance, initiative, bravery and courage, whilst under their simple mono "United we conquer" a comradeship beyond literary description was born, fostered and flourished.

For their valour in action the Commandos earned 38 battle honours and many awards, including 8 Victoria Crosses, but many made the supreme sacrifice, no fewer than 1.700 Commando soldiers lost their lives and others were seriously wounded. It was a record that prompted Winston Churchill to pay the following tribute for the Commandos: "We may feel sure that nothing of which we have any knowledge or record has ever been done my mortal men, which surpasses their feats of arms. Truly we may say of them, when shall their glory fade".

Location information

The 3rd Armored Division US Memorial is located in the village of Beffe (Place de l'Eglise) in the Belgian Ardennes. Have a drink in the Café on the "Place de l'Eglise" viewing the tank just in front of you.

The 2nd & 3rd Armored Divisions and 74th & 75th Infantry Divisions US Memorial is located in Erezée (Belgium) just on the road when leaving Hotton. The grave of the Corporal John E. Shields (first US soldier who died in Melines followed by more than 200 soldiers) is also located here on the right side of the road near the Memorial.

The 53rd Welsh Division British Memorial is located in Hotton (Belgium) on the East bank of the River Ourthe, along the Hotton - Erezée - Manhay road.

The US Memorial is located in Wibrin in the Belgian Ardennes. There have a drink in the Café a few meters above the wreckage.

The Commando Memorial is located in Spean Bridge, a few kilometers away in the North-East from Fort William (Scotland).