100-kilometer remembrance march

In 2025 we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (1945-2025). Therefore, the Historical Research Group of Rheinland-Pfalz (IG Heimatforschung Rheinland-Pfalz), hosted a special memorial march in remembrance of all Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of World War II. For service men and women of all nationalities, whether Allied or belonging to the Axis powers at the time: Everyone fought for their country, everyone had a family, everyone made great sacrifices. No one will be forgotten! Enemies then, this is a remembrance march in the name of international understanding.

The march began on June 6 at Waldsee and took 59 participants on a 100-kilometer march to Casemate Esch in Hatten in the Alsace region of France in 24 hours. In 1945 after a plane crash crew parachuted in Germany near the French border, they marched their way back 100-kilometers to the American lines in France.

The historic route led along many memorials for U.S., Canadians, British, German and French casualties. The march was designed as a semi-tactical evasion march, with almost no water, food or gear, except evasion/survival kits: Many aircraft crews who parachuted out of their aircraft found themselves behind enemy lines after their plane was shot down. Those who could tried to “fight” (and walk) their way back to their own lines. Their route was almost always a very long one, full of adversities and hardship.

To mimic the march being “behind enemy lines,” during the night and on the way to the finish line, they were met by oppositional forces, former elite German military, minefields, and surprises like trip wires, dogs, German military on motorcycles and other obstacles.

All finishers were greeted by air raid alarm sirens and a beer, after a last dash up the bunker of the casemate. Some had finished other 100-kilometer marches in earlier years, but for all participants it was the hardest march of their lives. One of the goals was to get a glimpse of what the brave ally soldiers had to endure 80 years ago.

Remembrance, but a with personal challenge.

A total of 24 participants from the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, France and Poland completed the whole 100-kilometer stretch and received a well-deserved medal and a certificate from the Mayor of Hatten, Alsace.

A further 100-kilometer remembrance march is planned for June 2026.