The story
On the morning of January 22nd, the Battalion boarded a train for a long trip back to the coast of France. The trip from Tilff, Belgium to Barneville, France meant approximately 74 hours of continuous riding on crowded third-class French carriages. C and K rations were eaten and the men slept on the floor of the car, on the narrow seats, and even in the baggage racks. The fever of speculation ran high. Rumors covered everything from a return trip to the States to an immediate invasion of Norway via Scotland. Regardless of what the future held the men realized that for the present there would be no more of the front line and this fact alone was enough to send their spirits soaring.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.