Memorial on the Hardt

Translation of the text on the information sign at the memorial:

"Memorial on the Hardt

The four Ardennes Hunters who occupied the (disappeared) defense structure on the N4, which was captured from the rear by the Germans coming from Grumelange, were shot while they withdrew to the top of the hill.
For years three concrete blocks marked the place where three of them died (A. Courtois died of his wounds in Bordeaux).
This memorial to their memory was inaugurated on June 26, 2003."

Translation of the text on the memorial itself:

"In memory of our 4 Ardennes Hunters who fell on May 10, 1940

MERLOT Gaston
MIECRET Gustave
BOSSELER Joseph
COURTOIS Albert"

According to an article on the website of the municipality of Martelange the 4th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Ardennes Hunters was responsible for the defense of Martelange on May 10, 1940. On the Hardt hill overlooking the bridge over the Sûre, commander Kelecom installed a platoon of riflemen with 2 machine guns, one of which was placed in the concrete shelter located 100 meters from the current memorial. This must be the (disappeared) defense structure on the N4 that is mentioned on the information board at the memorial.

In the book "Het gevecht te Bodange" by Georges Hautecler the following is recorded about the capture of this defense structure: "Machine gun No. 1 in the concrete shelter, commanded by Adjutant Schiltz and located to the north-east of the cemetery as well as machine gun No. 2 further to the north are attacked in the flank from a short distance by elements that have crossed the Sûre and penetrated to the cemetery. The personnel of the machine gun No. 2, after having tried in vain to move the machine gun, decide to withdraw to avoid captivity and put the machine gun out of use. During this movement, the soldiers Bosseler (gunner) and Merlot (helper) are killed and the soldier Tis is wounded. When the machine gun No. 1 becomes inoperable (water cooling punctured), the personnel continues the battle outside the shelter with portable weapons. Three men are wounded and captured."

Courtois is probably one of the Ardennes Hunters who is wounded and captured. He later died from his injuries. With regard to Miecret's death, the book contains the following: "Machine gun No. 3 is put out of action by enemy fire. Private Miecret, supplier D.B.T. was felled by a burst of machine gun fire."

Thre abbreviation D.B.T. stands for the grenade launcher Denis-Bertrand-Troisfontaine, which can throw a 600 gram grenade 600 meters far.

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Source

• Text: Barry van Veen
• Photos: Barry van Veen
• Website Martelange
• Het gevecht te Bodange, Georges Hautecler

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