WORLD WAR II: BATTLE OF THE BULGE.

Directional road sign "Libramont 3K." [Recovered from the area outside of Libramont, Belgium, after January 1945.] Double-sided enameled road sign, taken from a road junction 3km from Libramont, possibly from a cross roads east of Libramont at Presseux. Dark blue base with white enameled letters, 9 drilled holes to secure the sign. The sign showing serious rust and wear, some rusted areas due to shrapnel and bullet damage. One face painted over in grey and partially cleaned off. 300 x 1300mm (12 x 50 inches). Provenance: A Battle of the Bulge collector, living near Bastogne, sold to : An English World War II collector. A directional sign to Libramont, one of the most western towns, west of Bastogne, occupied by the Germans in their push through the Ardennes, just 14 miles west of bastogne which had been surrounded. Libramont was captured on December 20th, and recaptured by the American 87th Infantry Division "Golden Acorn", an untested and unsung unit, that sliced through the German supply lines from the south, taking the towns of Libramont, St. Hubert, Moircy, Pironpre, and Tillet, from December 27 to Jan 11th, 1944-45. It was the actions of the 87th Division, west of Bastogne that drew off German troops from the siege, and helped create the opportunity for Patton's tanks and other forces to break through the siege lines of Bastogne.