British M-10 Achilles Memorial

The memorial commemorates the actions in La-Roche-en-Ardenne on 11 January 1945, when the British 51st Highland Division, alongside support units, returned to re-liberate the town. This was following the German offensive in the Ardennes during the winter of 1944 to 45.

On 10 January, the Division’s 1st Black Watch were ready to move off into the town at 06:00 the next morning. They were supported by the Division’s 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry.

The 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry were doing reconnaissance for the Division. One of their lead armoured cars hit mines and was damaged. However, this was cleared from the road and other vehicles were able to continue to support 1st Black Watch as they entered the town.

Very little resistance was encountered from the German forces, and by 11:00 the town was once again liberated. They later received some artillery fire from hillsides overlooking La-Roche-en-Ardenne, however this ceased as the 7th Black Watch then pushed through to capture further objectives.

The memorial was created and opened in the spring of 1999. It commemorates and remembers the 51st Highland Division who liberated the town in January 1945. On the memorial is the name of 54 men who died during the Division’s involvement in the Ardennes.

The 33rd Armoured Brigade supported the 51st Highland Division and contained the 1st East Riding Yeomanry, 144 Royal Tank Regiment and 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. The 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry were the Divisions Reconnaissance unit. The 61st Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery were another of the units that supported the British 51st Highland Division on the 11 January 1945.