In the snowy forests of Belgium and Luxembourg, a little-known battle took place that would help shape the outcome of World War II. This is the story of the Battle of Clervaux, often called the “Ardennes Alamo,” where a small group of American soldiers made a heroic last stand against overwhelming German forces.
The Surprise Attack
On December 16, 1944, the quiet Ardennes forest erupted in chaos. Without warning, a massive German attack surged through the area, catching American forces completely off guard.
A Beaten Enemy Strikes Back
After their defeat in Normandy in August 1944, the Germans were thought to be a beaten force. Allied troops had pushed them back to their defensive lines and were preparing to enter Germany itself. But the Germans had a secret plan.
In desperate to turn the tide of the war, Hitler launched a surprise winter attack. His goal? To capture Antwerp’s important Allied supply port and force the Allies to negotiate. He chose December for two reasons:
- Bad weather would ground Allied aircraft.
- The Allies still thought the Ardennes was unsuitable for tanks, just like in 1940.
The Battle Begins
The German plan relied on quickly capturing two important road centers: Bastogne and Clervaux. These towns would allow their tanks to push rapidly westward. But they didn’t count on the determination of the American soldiers they would face.
Clervaux: The Forgotten Stand
While many have heard of the heroic defense of Bastogne by the 101st Airborne Division, few know about the equally brave stand at Clervaux. Here, surrounded and desperate, American forces fought to the bitter end in what became known as the “Ardennes Alamo.”
The Defense of Clervaux
A Town Unprepared
Clervaux was a pretty little town about three miles behind the front lines. It was defended by the 28th Infantry Division, which had already suffered heavy losses in earlier battles. As German forces broke through the front lines, Clervaux suddenly found itself in the path of the enemy advance.
A Desperate Defense
Colonel Hurley Fuller, commanding the 28th Infantry Division’s 110th regiment, quickly realized the danger. He gathered whatever forces he could to defend the town. These included:
- Cooks
- Clerks
- Signalers
- Some artillery units
- Doctors and medics
- A few tank units
Inside the ancient Clervaux Castle, Captain Clark Mackie organized a special defense unit with just 102 men. They would play a crucial role in the coming battle.
The Germans Attack
On the morning of December 17, German shells began falling on Clervaux. Houses were blasted into ruins, and explosions scarred the peaceful snow-covered fields. At 9:30 AM, the first German tanks appeared, cautiously approaching the town.
The Battle for the Road
The road into Clervaux descended in three hairpin bends. At each bend, an American Sherman tank waited in ambush. In a series of fierce duels, the Shermans knocked out several German tanks before being destroyed themselves. This delay was crucial, buying time for the town’s defenders to prepare.
Street Fighting
As German forces pushed into the town, intense street fighting broke out. American tanks fought bravely against the more numerous German armor, but they were heavily outnumbered. The defenders of Clervaux Castle opened fire on the advancing enemy, temporarily halting their progress.
The Last Stand
By midmorning, Colonel Fuller realized the situation was hopeless. He called for permission to retreat, but was ordered to “defend in place” and “don’t give up any ground.” Fuller’s response was grim: “All right… but I’m telling you it’s going to be the Alamo all over again.”
The Castle Under Siege
As German forces overran the town center, the castle became the last remaining American stronghold. Captain Mackie and his men, a mix of rear-echelon personnel and infantry stragglers, were now all that stood between the Germans and their objective.
Throughout the night of December 17-18, the defenders endured a living hell. German tanks and infantry pounded the castle with everything they had. The Americans fought back desperately, trying to hold on for just one more hour, knowing that every minute they delayed the Germans might make a difference in the larger battle.
The End of Resistance
By the morning of December 18, only 62 men remained alive in the castle. They were nearly out of ammunition, their water supply was cut off, and the building was on fire. Captain Mackie made the difficult decision to surrender.
A Costly Delay for the Germans
Though the battle was lost, the defenders of Clervaux had achieved something important. Their stubborn resistance had seriously disrupted the German timetable, buying precious time for Allied reinforcements to arrive and set up new defensive positions further west.
The Legacy of the Ardennes Alamo
Though often overlooked in histories of World War II, the Battle of Clervaux played a crucial role in disrupting the German offensive during the Battle of the Bulge. Captain Mackie and his men, along with the other Clervaux defenders, bravely stood up to slow down the German advance just enough to throw off Hitler’s carefully planned schedule.
While the more famous defense of Bastogne often overshadows it, the “Ardennes Alamo” at Clervaux deserves to be remembered as an example of American courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. These soldiers, many cooks, clerks, and other support personnel thrust suddenly into combat, fought with incredible bravery to buy time for their comrades.
Their sacrifice reminds us that every hour gained and delay imposed on the enemy can have far-reaching consequences in war. The defenders of Clervaux may have lost their battle, but their stubborn resistance contributed to the ultimate Allied victory in the Battle of the Bulge and, by extension, in World War II itself.
