Ons Arméi

Based on professional films, institutional films and amateur films preserved in the archives of the CNA, this documentary tells in a light tone the history of compulsory military service in Luxembourg between 1944 and 1967. The history of the Luxembourg army begins towards the end of the 19th century, when it was composed only of volunteers. The introduction of conscription was proposed on several occasions, but was always met with resistance from either the conservatives or the left. The 450 volunteers who made up the army in 1940 during the Nazi invasion were deported to Germany. Towards the end of World War II, conscription was introduced in Luxembourg. The army now consists of about 2,000 men. After the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949, it became important for Luxembourg to have a professional army. In the early 1950s, about 100 Luxembourg soldiers even travelled to Korea after intensive training. This was the only time that soldiers of the Luxembourg army were involved in a war. As the situation became more dangerous in the context of the Cold War, the population supported the maintenance of conscription. In the early 1960s, public opinion changed and became increasingly opposed to maintaining the army in its current form. The Wormeringer trial made criticism of the army even more bitter. Conscription was finally abolished in 1967 on the proposal of Jean Spautz. Since then, the Luxembourg army has once again consisted of volunteers. Film from the CNA archive.