2019 Metz Trip Gallery

2019 Metz Trip Gallery

The Moselle River 1944 Association hosted family and friends of the 5th ID, 90th ID, 95th ID and 10th Armored Division in Thionville and the surrounding area November 8-13, 2024.

Basse Ham, November 8, 2024

Pascal Moretti, President of the Moselle River 1944 Association

Members of the CEVM gather in front of the war memorial in Buding: Jacques Eberlé, Maria Dia, Pascal Kill, Alain Grandclair, Philippe Dorn, Michel Grandclair, Gérard Dodeller and Adrien Escudier.

Children lay flowers at the War Memorial in Buding.

Buding

A reception was held in the CEVM motorpool following the commemorations in Vigy.

Military vehicles in the Club de l’Est du Véhicule Militaire association (CEVM) motorpool in Vigy.

Roselle Calarino and Margaret Jamison (granddaughter and wife of Stephen Jamison, F Co., 378th Reg.) and Irma Madis pose with the new flag in the CEVM motorpool in Vigy.

Located in Vigy, the Club de l’Est du Véhicule Militaire association dedicated a new flag recognizing the 95th ID. Task Force Bacon, comprised of the 2nd Battalion, 378th Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 377th Regiment, 95th ID liberated Vigy November 17-18, 1944. With a tricolored background of blue, white and red representing the French flag, the CEVM’s new flag bears the 95th Infantry Division’s emblem, the Coat of Arms of the village of Vigy and four images of the double-barred Cross of Lorraine. The Cross of Lorraine was used as a symbol of Free France during World War II.

Two young decendants of Joseph Stebbe help Pascal Moretti and Jacques Eberlé distribute copies of Historie de la Ligne Maginot to local children participating in the commemorations.

Pascal Moretti reads a citation promoting Gérard Dodeller with the honorary title of Colonel during a commemoration for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Vigy. The 95th Infantry Division’s Task Force Bacon liberated Vigy November 17-18, 1944.

Mike Flora and Gérard Dodeller with Gérard’s Willys jeep in Vigy.

Children bearing flags were led by Daniel Weiler through Liberty Square in Terville November 11, 2024.

Children were always present and participating in the commemorations throughout Lorraine as were these children who waved flags and sang in Terville.

Memorial to the victims of WWI and WWII in Budling.

Rain did not dampen the spirits of the 160 residents of Budling as they commemorated the 80th anniversary of their liberation.

The small size of the village of Oudrenne (population: 753) was no indication of the enthusiasm the inhabitants had for celebrating with the family and friends of their American liberators.

Plaque recognizing the 2nd Battalion, 378th Regiment, 95th ID and one company of the 315th Engineering Battalion at the Moselle river crossing. The 90th Infantry Division had already cleared the Germans out of Thionville and had moved on, but the Germans still controlled Fort Yutz and the east side of the Moselle. After crossing the Moselle, 2nd Battalion was faced with crossing a canal and the railroad yard as small arms fire and mortar rounds from Fort Yutz exploded around them. This was the first major combat action for the 2nd Battalion. By noon on November 13, 1944, the 2nd Battalion had taken Fort Yutz.

On November 11, 2024, exactly 80 years after the 2nd Battalion, 378th Regiment, 95th ID successfully crossed the Moselle river in Thionville, a small band played at a commemoration near the site of the river crossing.

Thionville Parade

Members of Souvenir Français (French Remembrance) of Thionville march in the parade. - This Thionville association has been active for over 100 years.

Pascal Moretti holds his grandson during the parade in Thionville. Gérard Dodeller serves as the driver for “General Walker,” the commander of XX Corps in Patton’s Third Army in WWII.

The 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Thionville was celebrated November 9-11, 2024.

After the ceremony outside in Guénange, we entered Pablo Neruda Hall to view an exhibition of photos and participate in the entertainment. Eight Americans were recruited to assist in reading the English translation of a French poem about freedom. Members of the community read the original poem in French.

Guénange Mayor Pierre Tacconi accepts a plaque commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Moselle from Mike Flora. The plaque was a gift from the 95th Division Legacy Association and the 95th Division Foundation.

During a stop in Guenange, two young French girls take the opportunity to ride in the back of a Jeep.

Sometimes we were given a choice between taking the bus or riding in a military vehicle to our next destination. Gérard Perruchot was the driver of this staff car, but he explained that the staff car belonged to a good friend who had passed away two years ago. In honor of the friend, members of the Club de l’Est du Véhicule Militaire (CEVM) maintained the staff car and continue to drive it in parades.

In 1940, while still under French control, the official strength of Fort Hackenberg was 42 officers and 1040 men. During our tour, we were able to view refurbished kitchen and medical facilities such as this dental office.

Recreation of the switchboard and communication center that served the fort.

The museum in Fort Hackenberg includes a display of gas masks lining a shelf above canisters and filters used as protection against chemical warfare.

Fort Hackenberg Museum

The museum in Hackenberg boasts a large collection of military arms used during the war.

Generator engine at Fort Hackenberg

Electrical Transformer Room at Fort Hackenberg

Fort Hackenberg

The tunnels and passages through Fort Hackenberg extend for 10 kilometers. Construction of this part of the Maginot Line took place between 1929 and 1933. Our group walked part of the way but also took the train to reach Block 8 where gun positions are located.

A plaque near Fort Hackenberg’s Block 8 is engraved with the words, “N’oublions jamais leur sacrifice pour notre liberté.” - "We will never forget their sacrifice for our liberty."

Above ground view of turrets at Fort Hackenberg.

Constructed between 1929-1933, Fort Hackenberg is one of the largest fortifications in the Maginot Line. The fort is composed of 17 combat blocks and 18 artillery pieces. The main gallery extends 1,884 meters. The tunnels and passages through Hackenberg extend for 10 kilometers and are 25-30 meters below the surface to protect against bombardment.

Family and friends of the 5th ID, 90th ID, 95th ID and 10th Armored Division gather for a group photo near the statue of Joseph Messina November 8, 2024.

Local officials, citizens, and children gathered with the American guests for commemorations at the Joseph Mesina Memorial near Fort Hackenberg.

The Joseph Mesina Memorial is located near the entrance to Fort Hackenberg and bears the words, “Thank you for our beautiful gift—Liberty.”

Private Joseph Messina, I Co., 378th Reg., 95th ID, was killed in action November 18, 1944. This stone statue in his honor was dedicated in November 2004.

Iron Men descendants were encouraged to bring photos of their World War II veterans to France. Joe Januszkiewicz’s daughter, Kim Kowalczyk, and granddaughter, Tanya Chang, went one step further and proudly wore hoodies with Joe’s Army portrait.

Parade in Basse Ham, November 8, 2024

At the end of the ceremonies in Basse-Ham, the American families were given books to present to the French children. This year the graphic-style book was L’Incroyable Histoire du Sergent York: Le 8 Octobre 1918 en Argonne. The book tells the story Sergeant Alvin York of the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Infantry Division, one of the most decorated U.S. Army soldiers of World War I. While fighting in the Meuse-Argonne offensive in France, October 8, 1918, Sergeant York led an attack on a German machine gun nest, gathered 35 machine guns, killing at least 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 prisoners. For his actions, Sergeant York received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre and the Congressional Medal of Honor. The film Sergeant York, in which Gary Cooper plays the role of Alvin York, was released in 1941. The film won two Academy Awards.

This new monument, dedicated November 8, 2024, commemorates the Moselle river crossing of the 90th ID, November 8-9, 1944.

Children participated in the 80th anniversary commemorations in Basse Ham.

Local children were encouraged to attend 80th anniversary commemorations in Basse Ham.