Foy () is a village of
Wallonia
Wallonia ( ; ; or ), officially the Walloon Region ( ; ), is one of the three communities, regions and language areas of Belgium, regions of Belgium—along with Flemish Region, Flanders and Brussels. Covering the southern portion of the c ...
in the municipality of
Bastogne, district of , located in the
province of Luxembourg in the
Ardennes,
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
.
Background
Foy is in the
Ardennes Forest region, an area of more than 11,000 square kilometers. It is largely in what today is
Wallonia
Wallonia ( ; ; or ), officially the Walloon Region ( ; ), is one of the three communities, regions and language areas of Belgium, regions of Belgium—along with Flemish Region, Flanders and Brussels. Covering the southern portion of the c ...
, the
French-speaking area of southern Belgium, but it extends into France, Germany, and Luxembourg.
Battle of the Bulge
In
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, most of Foy was occupied by German forces during the
Battle of the Bulge. The
U.S. 101st Airborne Division held the ''Bois Jacques'' just outside town. After being relieved by
General
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.
In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...
George S. Patton's
U.S. Third Army, the 101st retook the town.
On January 2, 1945, the
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was assigned to patrolling duties and to aid defense. It took part in the general advance passing the towns of
Aye,
Marche, Foy and
Bande, with its participation ended after the Allies captured Bande. During the operation, the unit sustained a few casualties in active combat. This was the only Canadian unit to take part in the Ardennes offensive. The role of the Canadians was small compared to that of the Americans, acting as more of a substitute for the 101st when that unit was called elsewhere.
A monument to the American paratroopers was built in 2004 at the edge of the ''Bois Jacques'', south of Foy.
References
External links
{{Commonscatinline
Bastogne
Populated places in Luxembourg (Belgium)