The bombing of Malmedy

Constantly held by soldiers of the 7th US Armored Division and the 30th US Infantry Division, the small town was approached by the invaders on 17 December 1944, without them ever entering. However, less than two kilometres from the town, in Baugnez, they killed several dozen American prisoners of war. Once the story came out, the English-speaking media quickly referred to it as the Malmedy massacre. The situation on the front remaining unstable, American military staff were convinced that the small town was lost. On three occasions, 23, 24 and 25 December, Malmedy was attacked by United States Air Force bombing groups: first by six B-26 Marauders, then by twelve B-24 Liberators. The third raid, on Christmas Day, was interrupted when the pilots noticed large orange signs on the ground, indicating the presence of American troops. It was too late, however.

The Place Albert I, the Place de Rome, and the Chemin-Rue in the city centre were hit from the first day. Destruction accumulated and fires spread. The attack of 24 December further spread the fires, while the one on 25 December hit the Rue du Parc and Place du Parc, as well as the old Rue des Arsilliers. Of the 1,600 houses in the Cité Malmedy, half were completely destroyed or made uninhabitable. Among the population, several hundred people were injured and no less than 202 died, including several dozen refugees who had fled the German advance. To add insult to injury, at least 100 G.I.s also lost their lives while the invaders remained at a distance from Malmedy, despite Otto Skorzeny's attempts to conquer the city on 21 December.