A visit to the Historical Center will lay the groundwork for a better appreciation of the great battle fought here in December 1944. General MacAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division and his opponent, General Hasso von Manteuffel of the Fifth Panzer Army, both gave advice in putting together the film, dioramas, and commentary that tell the story of the siege of Bastogne. Afterward, visitors can climb to the gigantic star-shaped memorial to America's fallen on Mardasson Hill. Key points of the battlefield are clearly posted for those interested in retracing the course of the fighting.