Photos de la marche 2005 sur les pas du 504Parachute Infantry Regiment

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Picture of the 2005 march in the steps of the 504Parachute Infantry Regiment

La Marche 2008 / The March 2008

La prochaine marche "In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division" est programmée pour le 14 Février 2009 sur les pas du 504PIR au départ de Bra.

http://82abn-footsteps2007.blogspot.com/ Photos marche 2006

http://82airbornemarch08.blogspot.com/ Photos marche 2007

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The next march "In the Footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division" is scheduled for February 14, 2009 in the steps of the 504PIR starting from Bra.

http://82abn-footsteps2007.blogspot.com/ Pictures march 2006

http://82airbornemarch08.blogspot.com/ Picture march 2007

The veterans, Frank Bilich (505PIR) and Peter Antonellis (5th Infantry Div.) posing at the 504 PIR monument in Cheneux with a reenactment group

Down Mt. Victor hill on the trails of the 504PIR Feb. 26, 2005

Map itinerary

Cie HQ 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment at Avenaterre, Belgian Ardennes, on Januray 3, 1945.

82nd Airborne "All American" Jeep Group and English participants at Historical march "In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division" same place in February 1994.

February 1994, the 82nd Airborne "All American" Jeep Group and English reenactment group at Les Avenaterre during the march.

SUMMARY OF THE LAST MARCH 2005 IN THE STEPS OF THE 504 PIR

The certificate given to the participants at the end of the march. The 2005 March was also celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Start at La Gleize

Starting point at La Gleize.
The participants are registering and having some coffee before the big walk.

One of the veterans participating, Ray FARY, of the 80th AAA Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division who was involved in the battle of Cheneux is signing some authographs.

A goup of reenactors ready for the start.

A bazooka team.

At La Gleize.

Last verifications.

La Gleize.

La Gleize

The Morning stage

Leaving La Gleize.

The viaduc over the Ambleve river.

The footbridge over the Amblève river which was the only door open for the 800 SS of the Kampfguppe Peiper to flee by foot from the La Gleize trap leaving there all their armored vehicles and wounded.

Up hill on Mt. St Victor

On the Peiper escaping route

Going up and up!

A look down the Ambleve valley

Rough time!

About reaching the top

On the top

It seems more easy with a Jeep.

But not so easy after all, even with a Jeep.

Embarrassing situation.

The Village of Brume where the 504PIR had some outposts.

At the very top, a field canteen provides some coffee, waffles and drinks etc.

Here comes the Jeep which was in trouble.

With wheel chains its easyer.

On the road again.

Down Hill

Going down looks better !

Athmosphere.

On the trails of the 3rd Battalion of the 504 PIR toward Rahier.
On Dec. 20, 1944, the 3rd Bn/504 followed that route from Rahier to Monceau as to take this village and help the 1st Bn. in Cheneux.

Progressing toward Rahier

The Pathfinder crew marking the march itinerary having some problem on this 504 PIR's trail.

A little farther on this trail, a tree had fallen across the trail . The pathfinder team had to cut it with an axe. Here Emile Lacroix at work. It's the hazard in the running of the march.

Marching in the steps of the 3Bn/504 PIR between Monceau and Rahier.

Lunch Time in Rahier

At Rahier the field Kitchen of the 82nd Airborne "All American"Jeep Group, organizators of the march, provides well earned hot soup. Also cooking famous hamburgers.

The Field kitchen assaulted by the hungry marchers.

Liters of hot soup are served.

The support group of the 82nd Airborne "All American" J.G. at work.

Bill Tucker, veteran of the 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Div. poses with an American reenactor friend.
Bill was wounded on the attck of Fosse on Jan. 3,1945.

Tom Goode (Left), American from Germany and good helper of the march, poses with some friends.

The afternoon resume of the walk

Back in 1944. On Dec. 22, 1944 the 2nd Bn, 504 Parachute Infantry Reg. is crossing the village of Rahier as to relieve the 1st Bn in Cheneux after the battle.

Back in 1989. Same place, the men of the 82nd Airborne "All American" J.G. and English reenactor group crossing Rahier in the steps of the 504 PIR during the 1989 march.

Back at the 2005 march. Though the woods on the approach route march of the attack on Cheneux.

Marchers are growing tired.

Jeep convoy. The bumper markings shows a Jeep from the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division. Company A, vehicle Nr 12.

Cheneux. Some participants are taking place for a short cermony at the 504 PIR mémorial plaque in memory of the furious and blody battle fought here 60 years ago.

The two veterans, Frank Billich and Peter Antonellis laynig flowers and saluting at the 504 PIR memorial in Cheneux.

The 505PIR/82nd Abn veteran Frank Bilich and the 5th Infantry Div. Veteran Peter Antonellis are posing at the 504 PIR memorial in Cheneux.

A group is posing with 2 veterans. Frank Bilich, 505 PIR/82nd Airborne in blue jacket and Peter Antonellis from 5th Infantry Division. This memorial is one of the 8 made by our club in the Ardennes for the 82nd Abn. Div.

The veteran of the 82nd Abn Div., Ray Fary, who fought in Cheneux visiting a reenactor group who were billeted for the night and had their "CP" in this farm in Cheneux.

A short halt at a CP of an other reenactment group down the village of Cheneux .

And at the distance, La Gleize again and the end of the march.

The end in La Gleize

At the end, the cooks of the 82nd Airborne "All American"J.G. are preparing the hot wine very apprecited by the marchers. Those men stay very busy during all the event with the supply support of the march.

You want a cup of hot wine?

Each participant is also presented a souvenir certificate by the President of the club. (see picture above at the begining of this album of the last 26 February 2005's march )