WWII Vehicles Retracing Steps of Allies

[Batgirl]

The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 11, 2006; 5:53 AM


CHERBOURG, France -- A convoy of World War II military vehicles has set off from Utah Beach to retrace the steps of the Allied forces who liberated France from the Nazis 62 years ago.

Some 250 Americans, Britons, Canadians, French and Belgians mounted original WWII-era trucks and other vehicles made by Jeep, Dodge and Harley Davidson for the 713-mile journey through Normandy and northern France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

The trip started Monday and wraps up July 23 at a ceremony at General George S. Patton's tomb at the American military cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg.

The path follows the itinerary of Patton's famous Third Army, which is marked today by posts, painted with a torch emerging from water.

"It's a way to pay homage to all the soldiers who sacrificed themselves to allow us the good life that we have today," said Thomas Larscheid, a 58-year-old who came from Wheatland, Wyo., for the event.

One veteran is taking part: Belgian Maurice Sperandieu, who joined Patton's force as a teenager during the Liberation.

"The goal is to rediscover the story of the Liberation, in an educational way, to make people aware of what happened," said Eric Daniel, president of the Belgian group "I Remember," which organized the trip.

In each city they pass, participants will set up a camp like those used by soldiers at the time, to be open to the public.

Washington Post

[Covertness]

One day before I go on final patrol I hope to be able to visit Europe and take a tour of that route. I met a FOG about ten years or so ago who served under Patton. After VE day and before he was shipped back CONUS they gave him a map of all the places they'd been. I sat with this old mud puppy for the better part of the day shooting the shit about his experiences. Before I left his house he gave me his map. I'd like to be able to walk part of his path in remembrance.