Americans enter Luxembourg

The British chronology of the war records under 20 November 1918 the crossing of the Luxembourg frontier by American troops. According to the reports of the American Third Army, its columns crossed the French-Luxembourg border on 19–20 November, and some accounts give 19 November. The Grand Duchy, occupied by the Germans on 2 August 1914, was regaining its freedom after more than four years of occupation.

The armistice of 11 November obliged Germany to withdraw its troops from Belgium, France, Alsace-Lorraine and Luxembourg within 15 days. According to some sources the German commander in Luxembourg had announced a complete withdrawal of troops as early as 6 November. After the fighting in the West ended, the Allied armies were to follow the retreating Germans all the way to the Rhine. For this task General John Pershing created a new Third Army under General Joseph Dickman. It comprised six experienced divisions, among them the 1st, 2nd and 42nd. The march began on the morning of 17 November simultaneously along the whole front, from the North Sea to Switzerland. On 18 November Pershing issued a proclamation to the people of Luxembourg: American troops were entering the Grand Duchy as friends, their presence would last no longer than necessary, and the country’s government and institutions would function unhindered.

Because there was no authority in the areas the Germans were leaving, the Americans advanced their march by one day. Everywhere they were welcomed enthusiastically, with delegations, bands and flowers. When they entered Esch-sur-Alzette, the last Germans had left neighbouring Bettembourg only an hour earlier. On 20 November German units marched through the capital in close order, with bands. The burgomaster, Luc Housse, told the Americans that the Germans had behaved correctly in recent weeks. Under a Third Army order of 20 November, American units were not to halt in the city itself and might only march through it. The advance units passed through Luxembourg on 21 November, and on 22 November Pershing reviewed the 1st Division there. On the same day the last German soldiers left the country. According to Pershing’s report, the city of Luxembourg was garrisoned by the French and designated as the headquarters of the Allied commander-in-chief, Marshal Ferdinand Foch.

Luxembourg, which in 1914 had had no means of defending itself, emerged from the war in an uncertain position. Many inhabitants and politicians considered Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde too favourable to Germany. On 10 November a republic was proclaimed in the capital for a few hours, and on 12 November a motion to abolish the monarchy was defeated in parliament by 21 votes to 19. France refused to deal with the government in Luxembourg, and Belgium hoped to annex the Grand Duchy. In January 1919 Marie-Adélaïde abdicated in favour of her sister Charlotte. The Americans halted at the German frontier and on 1 December moved on to the Rhine.