In the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne 2005

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Location: HAMBRAINE (Fernelmont), Province Namur, Belgium

Department of Defense of US Army Medal Awards: -Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service -Distinguished Public Service Award

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

La prochaine marche "In the Footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division" est programmée pour le 24 Février 2018 suivant les pas du 505PIR et 551PIB au départ de Mont St-Jacques (Trois-Ponts).

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The next march "In the Footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division" is sheduled for February 24, 2018 following the steps of the 505PIR and 551PIB starting from Mont-St-Jacques (Trois-Ponts).

Saturday, February 18, 2006

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

Saturday, December 31, 2005

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.