Conference repair::reserve_forces

   I went on the Nijmegen march when I was stationed in Lahr, West Germany
    in 1983. I would have to say it was worse than any forced march our
    Regiment was on.(1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillary) As well
    I have never enjoyed anything more, the people were great. To answer
    the question, no I will not be on it this year. My new wife would
    not me go as I have talked about the partying that went on. (Dumb me)
    
    Darren

Would someone enter a description of the march?  I've never heard of it.

Rich

    
    I went to Nijmegen in 1979 as part of the 1/6 Inf Bn 1st AD Team.
    
    Nijmegen is a 100 mile (25mi per day x 4 days) annual volksmarch 
    first implemented as physical training for the Dutch Army back about 
    the turn of the century. 
    
    Since then, the event has exanded to include teams representing 
    every NATO member as well as being open to civilian participants.
    There were over 250,000 marchers (civilian and military) the year I 
    went.
    
    As I mentioned above it is four 25 mile marches in four consequative 
    (sp) days (with time limit).  Each march uses a different route 
    (forming a 4 leaf clover) in the area surrounding Nijmegen, with 
    a full contingent march through the center of Nijnmegen on the 
    last day led by a full band (the USAREUR band in our case).
    
    Imagine marching in a formation 2-300 strong through the center of
    a town whose inhabitants are lining the streets 15-20 deep, hanging 
    out of windows and rooftops, throwing flowers and confetti and cheering 
    at the top of their lungs.  Imagine pretty girls pressing bouquets of 
    flowers and kisses on you as you march by and small children taking your 
    hand to walk with you and you get some idea of what downtown Nijmegen 
    is like when the American contingent goes by.  I'm told there is a lot of
    cheering for other national contingents but nothing like what is
    showered on the Americans.  It sure makes one forget the 100 miles of
    blisters on ones feet...
    
    Every evening after completing the days march the troops are allowed to
    go to town which has blocked off its streets to traffic and is packed
    with 1000s of marchers and well wishers.  Bands in the street, bars and
    nightclubs jammed with uniformed members of every NATO country (I
    especially liked the Swedish WAC team!).
    
    For those who are not aware of it, Nijmegen was liberated by the US
    82nd Airborne Division during WWII as part of Montgomerys semi
    successfull operation "Market Garden".  A US serviceman wearing
    Airborne wings (although not mandatory, the troops usually prefer
    wearing "Class As" on their off duty time), might as well leave
    his money at home.  During our third day there, we were taking a 
    10 min break on the side of the road when an elderly woman brought 
    us a case of beer and bread and cheese, and while we ate them,
    she told us in a quiet voice of the time when three US paras risked
    their lives running through an arty barrage to rescue her and her
    children trapped their house located smack in the middle of it.  After
    reaching safety they looked back to find the house had been leveled.
    I never have been so PROUD of my country and our Army!  Quite a few of
    us had a large lump in our throats by the time she finished her tale
    and hugged and kissed each one of us.   Part of the march takes us over
    the bridge the Airborne seized with horrendous casualties.  Looking at
    the width of the river they had to cross under the guns of the German
    Army I'm amazed they succeeded at all! 
    
    Anyways, the night after the last march the Dutch REALLY pull out all
    the stops for the town wide "Blister Ball" a night of merrymaking and
    partying "I've" never seen the equal of.  Its funny to see hobbling GIs
    (everybody gets blisters, everybody!) wearing their one year medal
    attempt to straighten up when they see an Elderly Dutch person wearing
    a 25 year medal stride effortlessly by like a Frigate under full sail.
    
    The March is an event I have not seen the like of and I recommend it
    to anyone.  I would love to go back one day and participate again.
    
    
    Dave                                        

    I was in Nijmegen a few years ago during the week preceding the
    march.  The residents were decorating every street for the event
    any open areas were being filled by stalls and/or stages.  There
    was a tremendous buzz of excitement in the air.  It must be their
    biggest festival of the year.
    
    It is something I will do one day.  How much training did you put
    in for it?  Any tips/hints for aspiring marchers?
    
    Incidentally, I heard some Dutchmen do it in clogs!
    
    Dave. 

    re how much training
    
    Well, our team logged 1500 miles in 6 months worth of training prior to
    making the march, but, much of this was because we were in competition
    with the other battalions teams in our division.  Only two teams can be
    sent, out of 10 or so units that send a team to the division run offs.
    
    The most important thing to do is to get ones feet and legs toughened. 
    Blisters, pressure fractures, bruised soles, and shin splints are the 
    most common injuries to look out for.  
    
    
    Dave

    Does anyone know when next years march will take place?
    
    Dave

    Sorry, just went and looked at the article in the Nov issue of 
    SOLDIERS, but they don't mention anything about how it's scheduled.
    
    
    Interesting note in the article, 30,000 marchers from 45 countries.
    73rd annual march, 43d year of participation by USAREUR. 800 USAREUR
    soldiers and civilians this year. Each Army team had 14 marchers w/22lb
    backpacks, a Medic on a bicycle and a non-marching administrative
    NCOIC.
    
    Bob Mc

    re .7  Bob M
    
    What's this about Soviet Army participation??????????
    
    
    Dave

    re .8
    
    "This year's event marked the first time Soviet troops had
    participated, and it was as much of an experience for the 32 young
    Soviets as it was for their American and Nato counterparts. The
    team's goals were best sumed up by 20-year-old Kagatko Dimitri,
    a cadet from the High Moscow Military Academy: "I hope we complete
    the march, since this is the first time we've participated. We
    started training a month and a half ago"."
    
    Other interesting notes;
    
    The 310 member Swiss army contigent was headed by BG Jeanie Pollak,
    chief of Switzerland's Women's Military Corps.
    
    The Japanese Walking Association team's oldest member was 83, the
    youngest 20 out of 43 participants. "we walk every morning for an
    hour, and we've never had problems completing the march."

    I DID THE MARCH IN 1987 WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE ARMY-IT IS AN EVENT 
    NOT TO MISS!
    I SAW ONE OLD DUTCH GUY WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED THE MARCH IN CLOGGS,
    WITHOUT SOCKS FOR THE 40th TIME!!  APPARENTLY CLOGGS ARE SHOCK
    ABSORBENT AND AFTER A NUMBER OF YEARS WALKING ON THEM YOU HAVE
    NO PROBLEM.
    THE YEAR I MARCHED WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THE POLISH, LAST YEAR
    WAS THE FIRST FOR THE RUSSIANS, HOWEVER THE RUSSIAN MILITARY 
    WERE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE ( APART FROM A COUPLE OF STUDENTS)
    AND NOT IN UNIFORM.
    AT FIRST THE RUSSIAN TEAM WAS A BIT DUBIOUS ABOUT THE MARCH AND
    OF THE WELCOME THEY WERE TO RECIEVE. THEY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE
    WRONG. THEY WERE ACCEPTED BY ALL . THEY MADE THE HEADLINES HERE
    IN NIJMEGEN AND WERE PLANNING TO RETURN IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS.
    ANOTHER TEAM MADE THE HEADLINES - THE SOUTH KOREANS- THEY 
    THOUGHT THE HUNDRED MILES HAD TO BE COMPLETED IN *ONE* DAY!
    APPARENTLY THEY STARTED AT THE FINISH AND WERE SHORTLY LOST!
    THE POLICE FOUND THEM A LONG WAY OUT AND STILL HEADING IN THE 
    WRONG DIRECTION. THEY WERE DISQUALIFIED OF COURSE, BUT WERE
    GIVEN THE OPERTUNITY TO CONTINUE THE NEXT DAY, AFTER ALL THEY
    DID COMPLETE THE REQUIRED DISTANCE!   THEY DECLINED WITH SMILING
    FACES BUT FOLLED THE LAST MARCHER IN THEIR MINIBUS!
    
    THE DATES ARE NORMALLY 17-21 JUNE.
    
    IT IS A LOT OF FUN AND PAIN.
    
    IF YOUR GOING,  GOOD LUCK AND TRAIN HARD WELL BEFORE!
    
    PAUL