Memorial Explosion Land Mines Bastogne

At the site of the contemporary Institut Notre-Dame Séminaire Bastogne, the Petit Séminaire was established at the time of World War II. During the Ardennes Offensive, the building served as the Regimental Headquarters of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the American 101st Airborne Division. The chapel of the building housed the Regimental Aid Station and later a Divisional Aid Station.

On January 5, 1945, a large explosion took place at the premises of the Petit Séminaire during the loading of land mines on a truck. The explosion killed 12 members of the Demolition Platoon of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment and 1 driver from the Service Company. In memory of this event, a memorial designed by André Cenne was inaugurated in 1992.

Text on the memorial:

"The Incident
On the morning of 5 January 1945, 13 United States soldiers, Demo. Platoon, HQ. Company, 501st Parachute Inf. Regt., 101st Airborne Division died when a truckload of land mines exploded."

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Source

• Text: Barry van Veen
• Photos: Jeroen Koppes (1, 2), Marie-Christine Vinck (3, 4)
• In de voetsporen van Band of Brothers
• Battledetective.com
• Lest we Forget