In the autumn of 1944, the US 28th Infantry Division suffered terrible losses in the murderous battles in the 'Hürtgenwald'. They were subsequently transferred to the Luxembourg Ardennes to defend the thin front line. Far from home, the exhausted infantry men &nbsp;prepared for a peaceful Christmas.The contact with the civilian population was cordial and in Wiltz, as in other towns, even St Nicholas celebrations were organised for the children.Due to the stubborn resistance of the US soldiers in the first days, the number of wounded increased continuously.During that time, many field hospitals and military hospitals of the division were located in the Wiltz area. On the morning of 18 December, the critically wounded were evacuated to Bastogne on the orders of Chief Medical Officer Dr H Weest. This was &nbsp;due to the threat of enemy encirclement of the town. Despite all the urging to go to safety, the dentist of the division, Dr B Kimmelman, who was under the direct command of the US commander of Wiltz, took the decision to stay voluntarily with the wounded who had been left behind, in order to assist them and also save them.On 19 December, at dusk, a mixed formation of military and Red Cross vehicles &nbsp;were assembled at the cemetery of Wiltz to attempt a breakthrough, without light across an open road to Bastogne. After only one and a half kilometres, the column was fired upon by German paratroopers and shortly before the 'Schumannseck’ road junction. They came up against an impregnable roadblock. Dr Kimmelman hastily buried his identification badge with his Jewish religious affiliation in case he was to become a prisoner of war.In his hopeless situation on the 20 December, he called for a ceasefire at 01:00 with a white flag. According to the Geneva Convention, this was done in order to obtain safe passage of the Red Cross vehicles to Bastogne.Because of the mixed column with military vehicles, this request was not granted to him.With more than 200 comrades, he embarked on the bitter road to captivity, from which he was liberated, emaciated, only in April 1945. He was awarded the Silver Star for his courageous and selfless bravery.Until the end of his life, however, the gratitude and respect of his comrades was more important to him.

United States

The identification card from the prison camp of Sgt F NcClelland, who was present during the failed escape attempt.

Dejected US prisoners faced an uncertain fate

The St Nicholas celebration organised by the US soldiers on 6 December 1944 in Wiltz remained a tradition after the war.

On 19 December 1944, at the request of Capt Dr Kimmelmann, an attempted escape was carried out in order to transfer the remaining wounded to Bastogne.

Captain Dr Benedict Kimmelman in Wiltz, November 1944

Bennedict Kimmelman

Photos