IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE 82nd AIRBORNE

MEMORIAL MARCH

ARDENNES FOREST, BELGIUM 2008

This event has been looked forward to for some months by the troops of the First Triple A.

Last year, a six man squad attended this event attached to the 82^nd LHA and used that event as a Recce for this year’s one, which saw the group expanding its attendance slightly when it mustered 11 Troopers.  This year’s event was to cover the 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment and attached 551^st Parachute Infantry Battalion's combat area and the route selected took the team through some of the most rugged terrain in the Ardennes.

For us in the First Allied Airborne Association, preparation for this event started in early January with training undertaken at the Chiltern Open Air Museum.  This year, not only were we going to undertake this event in memory of the fallen of WW2, but we had chosen also to undertake this challenge in memory of the fallen and injured of today’s wars!  Through gaining sponsorship and donations, the group were planning to raise money for the Soldiers Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association, or SSAFA.  This was not as straightforward as it sounds, as this then meant that all members of the FAAA team had to complete the route and task for us to raise the maximum amount of money we could.  The fact we had decided to give ourselves an added challenge of carrying two A6 Browning Machine Guns and Ammunition made that challenge even more difficult.

Although SSAFA made no hard and fast rules, we set our own and these helped to ensure that we as a group focussed on the task and gave ourselves the motivation to complete that task.  We set the following rules:

1.  All members of the marching team were to complete the route unaided by vehicles;

2.  Both Light Machine Guns were to be carried the entire distance and deployed tactically when required;

3.  The team was to make up an established tactical grouping as part of the larger organisation and come under its command during the undertaking of the sponsored event;

4.  All section/squad members must take part in the carrying of the Light machine guns;

5.  The complete team must cross the finish line as part of the overall organising units’ rifle company;

6.  The above had to be completed to confirm the maximum sponsorship money donated to date.

This was but one of the group's aims at this event, the other was to undertake the march in memory of the 82^nd Airborne soldiers who lost their lives during the campaign that became known as the Battle of The Bulge.  To take part in this event, 3 days are required: Friday travelling out, Saturday to undertake the march and Sunday for the return journey home.  It was this requirement that again prevented more of the group from being able to make a commitment to attend.  Being civilians with limited leave time, it is always going to be a problem; however the group did manage to muster a squad of 11 troopers.

Below is a photo report of the event, an event that was challenging and rewarding for all members of the First Allied Airborne Association who took part.

Lee Bowden

Group Coordinator

The Group muster on the lounge deck of the ferry on its way to France.  Thankfully, it's not a landing craft this time!

En route, the party stopped at the crossroads just outside Malmedy, I think we all know what occurred here!

Just a short distance up the road from this house now stands one of the best museums we have ever seen, a fine tribute to those lost in the Bulge!

Before leaving the area, the FAAA and 82nd LHA undertook a short service and wreath laying.
Left to right, Stretch, Frank, myself, Neil, Simon, Possum, Russ, Pete. Karl, Glenn, and Tom.

Once we arrived at the billet, the group settled in and got an early night.  Up early and
mustered for a hearty breakfast (not quite!) before kitting up and mustering as a Company outside the billet.

This year, plenty of period transport was on hand to get us to the jump off point and to provide the Company with support.

After a final pep talk from the Nurses, it was time to mount the trucks and move out.

Sgt Smart's Machine Gun Squad sort themselves out.

Move Out!

The Jeeps and trucks move on to the road for the short journey, on winding roads, to the start point

PFC Dainter, a veteran of many FAAA deployments, enjoys the ride

Platoon Sgts and squad leaders muster their troops at the jump off point

Two Machine Gun Squads and Admin team soon to be detached to Company HQ, fall in at
the Noirefontaine Farm jump off point.  18 miles slog lies ahead.

Troops move out

Sgt Thomas J Smart and Private "Stretch" Wring move along the road in to Reharmont previously
secured by Item Company 505th

On the other side of the village, the company halts to rest while company guides recce forward
to check out the route that will be taken into Fosse

While some troops rest up, Guns are sent out to provide perimeter security.

Time to move out again - PFC Peter J Harris reports guns in to the Section Sgt

On the move again, the washed away tracks make the going difficult

A Jeep from Regiment moves through the advancing D Company men.

As the Company moved out into the open and carried on the advance into Fosse, the sun came up and the temperature rose,

making the march that little bit more uncomfortable

Squads reorganise for the advance out into the open

Even Squad leaders in the Machine Gun Section took their turn at lugging the guns

2nd Squad seen on the outskirts of the village

D company move into the village hoping that the Unit's admin section had caught up with them

First rest stop was on the outskirts of the village of Fosse. It was here that I company 3rd Battalion 505th were to loose 13 men and sustain many wounded when it came up against the enemy at Battalion strength.

The village was finally taken by H company 505th PIR and C Company of the 551st PIB.

A MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED IN 1992 BY THE BELGIAN CHAPTER OF THE C47 CLUB.

At the rest area, PFC Frank A Somerville, Headquarters Company, dispenses hot Coffee
to the troops.  Army nurses assist in the issuing of rations.

Sgt Smart certainly looks like he needed the break

PFC 's Pete Harris and Karl Bunting get ready to move out again.

On the move again, even the Machine Gun Section leader hauled the A6 for a while, mostly downhill of course

D Company halt and rest up

OK Sgt Smart, lets go!  Get your squad together and get that gun out on a flank!

Here we go again guys, 4 miles to Dairomont

D company 505th, led for the last time by Capt Brian Perkins, marches into the village to
take up their positions in front of the memorial

505th Form up

FAAA Honor Guard march on and take up their positions at the memorial

Sgt Smart contemplates the next few miles 

Troops started the final leg of the route which would see the company pull back to Fosse and regroup

In Fosse, the troopers from D Company were greeted by the defenders and more than a few local beers changed hands

The final leg was very hard and for one or two quite a feat in completing it, but complete it this association did.

The whole company mustered at the Noirefontaine Farm and after a final address by the Belgium Organisers the FAAA Contingent mustered at the 551st memorial for one last picture

Very tired FAAA Troopers try to stay awake for the presentations

Sunday was soon upon us and we loaded gear and people on to the coach for the homeward journey.
On the Way we stopped to pay our respects at a few memorials

Lest we forget