John Metcalfe Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 Well, so after much planning and numerous delays we have finally made it from home in Tunisia, through Italy and into France and to the Western Front, in particular the area around Soissons where the Germans launched their Spring Offensive in an attempt to end the war before the Americans arrived in force. This are holds personal emotions for me as my great uncle served here with the Sherwood Foresters and was KIA in this battle with his body never recovered. This is the wifes first proper battlefield trip so should be an interesting experience for her. Before we set off I told her to beware of things either on the surface or partially buried and painted bright colours, mainly orange or red along with any markers painted also. She got so excited when we stopped near the destroyed village of Craonne and walked around the wooded area of the California Plateau when she spotted a bright orange blob painted on the grass at the base of a tree, after approaching with caution, me being ex forces, so didn't want her to get too close incase there was a UXO there she was rather disappointed to find that the bomb disposal team had already been and removed the item. So know every where we ride she is looking in the undergrowth at the edge of the road for red or orange paint. We have also visited the CWGC cemetary at La Ville aux Bois which is close to where the 2nd Devonshire regiment made their last stand against the advancing german stormtroopers, and were almost to a man wiped out with very few survivors who were taken as POW's. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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