I'm beginning to plan a trip to Europe to visit sites where my Grandfather served. I plan to visit France, Belgium and Luxembourg. I don't think I'll go into Germany, but may change my mind.
The background:
My Grandfather was in the AT (Anti-Tank) Platoon of Company C, 60th AIB (Armored Infantry Battalion) of the 9th Armored Division. He arrived in France in November 1944 and barely settled into position on the front line when on December 16th, the "Bulge" began. At that time, he was near Befort, Luxembourg, just West of the Saur River (German border).
After defending the area for 9 days, the 60th AIB moved Northwest to Sibret, just Southwest of Bastogne. Here they witnessed the supply of the city by air and connections with the 101st Airborn. The fight for Sibret and Chenogne was brutal.
After several weeks of R&R in France, the 60th AIB headed back to the front near Aachen, Germany where they raced Eastward, faced a last-stand at Sinzig before crosseing the Rhine River at Remagen.
Almost 20 years ago, a Dutch historian wrote a book about the 60th AIB, and my Grandfather contributed heavily with photos, accounts and letters home. The author only made 250 copies, mainly for surviving members and families of the 60th. It is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour account of the entire 60th AIB and is absolutely stunning. It follows the men from training in 1943 through the end of the war. I finally reveived my own copy and read it. Now, I am hooked and am on a mission to visit some of the places these men fought for.
Has anyone done anything like this? Any recommendations? I'm thinking of adding Normandy into the plans while I'm there, but Befort and the areas around Bastogne are a must. Forget Paris, I'm looking to get out into the countryside and visit the small villages where the stories were made.
The background:
My Grandfather was in the AT (Anti-Tank) Platoon of Company C, 60th AIB (Armored Infantry Battalion) of the 9th Armored Division. He arrived in France in November 1944 and barely settled into position on the front line when on December 16th, the "Bulge" began. At that time, he was near Befort, Luxembourg, just West of the Saur River (German border).
After defending the area for 9 days, the 60th AIB moved Northwest to Sibret, just Southwest of Bastogne. Here they witnessed the supply of the city by air and connections with the 101st Airborn. The fight for Sibret and Chenogne was brutal.
After several weeks of R&R in France, the 60th AIB headed back to the front near Aachen, Germany where they raced Eastward, faced a last-stand at Sinzig before crosseing the Rhine River at Remagen.
Almost 20 years ago, a Dutch historian wrote a book about the 60th AIB, and my Grandfather contributed heavily with photos, accounts and letters home. The author only made 250 copies, mainly for surviving members and families of the 60th. It is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour account of the entire 60th AIB and is absolutely stunning. It follows the men from training in 1943 through the end of the war. I finally reveived my own copy and read it. Now, I am hooked and am on a mission to visit some of the places these men fought for.
Has anyone done anything like this? Any recommendations? I'm thinking of adding Normandy into the plans while I'm there, but Befort and the areas around Bastogne are a must. Forget Paris, I'm looking to get out into the countryside and visit the small villages where the stories were made.