TracesOfWar.com
Memorial 168th Engineer Combat Battalion
(Belgium - Liège - Saint-Vith)
Sankt Vith was an important strategic battle theatre during the Battle of the Bulge because of its being situated on a traffic hub. The village was situated approximately 15 kilometers behind the frontline in the Schnee Eiffel in the area that was defended by the US 106th Infantry Division. After the surrender of Schonberg Colonel Riggs of the 81st Engineers received on 17 December, 1944, the orders from General Jones to defend St Vith with a reserve unit (168th Engineers, 81st Engineers, Headquarters Staff). Riggs moved towards the east in the direction of Heuem and dug in at the Prumerberg from where he had a good view on the road between Schonberg and St Vith. The Engineers defended their positions heroically against an overpowering force of German tanks and infantry but in the end St Vith got into German hands on December 21st, much later than planned. The American units withdrew in the direction of Vielsalm, a place where in the meantime reinforcement units of the 82nd Airborne Division had arrived . Riggs and 70 survivors were captured, many others died in the battle.
This monument has been erected in memory of those that died during the battle at this spot. Take the N626 from St Vith in the direction of Schonberg. On the top of the Prumerberg you will see the monument for the 168st Engineers on the left hand side of the road. In the forest the traces of the battle are still visible. For more information see also Michael Tolhursts St Vith US 106th Infantry Division".
Source
- Text: Herbert Celen
- Photos: Herbert Celen
Address and contactinformation
- Address:
- Prümer Berg
Saint-Vith - WWII grade:
- 100%
- Rating:
- 40%
Where is it?
Visitor reactions
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Reactions
- This memorial was dedicated in 1992 by the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion to all those who died but to all who fought that battle as well. To Barry: Iwas on that trip with your Dad and Mom. Even then he was not well but brave.
- By: Sandra N Calverley
- City: Seekonk, Ma.
- Date and time: 06-03-2012 22:03:11
- Ranking: 5 out of 5 stars
- My dad was captured either in or just outside of St Vith on Christmas Eve 1944 The year before he died he traveled back on a 168th Combat Engineers reunion for the dedication of the memorial. The following Christmas his last before he died was the first Christmas without nightmares because he was finally able to get closure
- By: Barry Willette
- City: Boynton Beach Florida
- Date and time: 02-02-2012 02:38:55
- Ranking: 5 out of 5 stars
- This monument was erected by veterans of the 168th Engr Cbt Bn at their own expense. There is another much larger one at Devens, Mass (former site of Ft Devens).
See my article: The Forgotten Epic Defense of St Vith via google or under the 7th Armd Div Site. - By: William Hokanson
- City: Three Rivers, MI 49093
- Date and time: 16-01-2011 14:25:44
- Ranking: 2 out of 5 stars
- My brother was killed with the 168th Eng,CB @ St. Vith at the Beginning of the battle on the 17th of Dec. He was PFC Julian L Noyes from Rhode Island. He landed at Utah Beach and went down to Brest with Co. C, then back up through France, Paris, Belgium and at one point he was in Germany when called with C Company to St. Vith. He qas 19 yrs, old.
- By: Sandra Noyes Calverley
- City: Seekonk , Ma. USA
- Date and time: 09-11-2010 19:28:16
- My father was a Tech 4 in the 81st engineer combat Bn, was wounded and captured here with Riggs. He was held in St. Vith and escaped. He never knew that there was a memorial erected.
- By: Joe Novash
- City: Portland, OR
- Date and time: 30-01-2009 12:50:06
- Ranking: 5 out of 5 stars
