Battle of Clervaux

The Battle of Clervaux or the Battle for Clervaux (in English sources, Clervaux is occasionally called by the German name Clerf) was an opening engagement of the Battle of the Bulge that took place in the town of Clervaux in northern Luxembourg. It lasted from December 16 to 18, 1944. German forces encircled numerically inferior American forces, primarily from the 110th Regiment and the 109th Field Artillery Battalion, and quickly forced them to surrender. The battle has been referred to as the Luxembourg "Alamo".

Battle of Clervaux
Part of the Battle of the Bulge, World War II

Clervaux Castle was the last stand of the defenders
Date16–18 December 1944
Location
Clervaux, northern Luxembourg
50°03′18″N 6°01′48″E
Result German victory
Belligerents
 Germany  United States
Commanders and leaders
Meinrad von Lauchert Hurley Fuller (POW)
Strength
1 panzergrenadier regiment
1 panzer regiment		 1 regimental combat team
1 tank battalion
1 tank company
1 tank destroyer battalion
Casualties and losses
  • Significant
  • 4 tanks destroyed
  • 2,000–2,750
  • 60 tanks destroyed

Clervaux was the first tank battle of the Ardennes offensive and ended in total disaster for the Americans, who permanently lost nearly 60 tanks while the Germans lost only four.

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