152 INFANTRY BRIGADE HQ AT "CASTLE EMBOURG"
December 1944
STORY RECALLING 152 INFANTRY BRIGADE HQ AT "CASTLE EMBOURG"
This scanned document was kindly sent to us (youcanhelp@51hd.co.uk) by Georges Laloux in December 2009.
George noted the story behind this list :
"Born in 1931, I was thirteen during the Ardennes bulge battle and we were living in Embourg (at that time a small and rural suburb village south of Liége.)
"I was living in the "Embourg Castle", with my parents and 7 brothers or sisters.
"[At the] end of December 1944, the 152nd Infantry Brigade H.Q. (from the 51st Highland Division [Seaforth Highlanders].) rested in our home while we were living in the cellars due to German V1 bombs reaching Liége every 10 minutes.
"I remember the Christmas and eve evenings we spent with head quarter members.
"I remember also Brig General A. J. M. Cassels who later in 1945 was appointed GOC 51st Highland Division.
"[At the] beginning January 1945 the brigade was sent to reinforce the US Army (in La Roche) and as far as I remember struggles were very heavy. The Brigade HQ was replaced by a Welch Brigade coming back from Ardennes front, for a small rest.
"On January 14th an incident occurred in the military kitchen and the castle burnt completely. (But this is another story)
"I found recently, after the death of one of my older sisters, a list of Officers and Soldiers who stay in our house (see above).
"We still are grateful for all US and English soldiers who died for liberty
"Sincerely
Georges Laloux"
Footnote (correction)
When first placed on the site, this list of officers was mistakenly linked to "Fort d'Embourg", however, George Laloux got in touch to correct this;
"Embourg Castle" was in fact the local name for Chateau Piedboeuf in the (then small) village of Embourg (location in Google Maps)
"Fort d'Embourg" was one of 12 fortifications build around Liege 1891 in order to try to protect Belgium from German invasion (the Battle of Liege, in August 1914, would be the first Battle of World War One).