top of page
19
HARRY KEMP
1919: born in Berwick (USA)
1937: joins the Pennsylvania National Guard
June 1944 - Sept.1944: commander of an infantry company, later a battalion
Oct. 1944 - Nov. 1944: bloody battle in Hürtgenwald, south of Aachen (D)
Nov. 1944 - Dec. 1944: stationing near Diekirch
Mid-Dec. 1944: organizer of the American retreat from the German advance in Diekirch
Sketch of the American evacuation plan for the town of Diekirch, 19-20 December 1944
Work
Harry Kemp rose to the rank of captain in summer 1944. Between June and September 1944, he gained direct combat experience in France as leader of a company, later a battalion. Until 16 December 1944, Kemp helped hold the sparsely manned American defensive positions along the German border between Vianden and Wallendorf.
When the Battle of the Bulge started, Harry Kemp’s unit fought desperately against German superiority for three days until the evening of 18 December. With the enemy breakthrough inevitable, Kemp was ordered to organize the retreat of American troops from Diekirch to Ettelbrück. In the meantime, the town was also overflowing with terrified civilians, and Harry Kemp successfully took care of the emergency evacuation of over 5,500 people. This measure took residents and refugees out of the embattled town to safety before the last bridge was blown up.
Badge of Harry Kemp’s unit, the 109th Infantry Regiment
To whom it may concern
This date it has been necessary in the best interest of the civilian population of Diekirch, Lux., to order the town
evacuated at 24 hrs.
Harry Kemp, handwritten evacuation order, 19 Dec. 1944
bottom of page