I left Rusk at 0930, bound for
Palestine and the 1100 train "to the front." The premise for the train
today is that we're taking General Patton and his staff to the front
along with a resupply of military vehicles. Of course, as soon as we
arrived in "Rheinhausen, Germany" (AKA the Jarvis Wye), the Nazis attacked!
Somehow my coach ticket was
upgraded to first class (Lone Star Service) and I was given a table with
TSR Society President John Price. However, John was playing the part of
a Combat Photographer at the front. So, in essence, I had my own table.
John denied any involvement (wink wink, nudge nudge), so if the party
responsible ever reads this Trip Report, you have my deepest thanks.
Thank You!
General Patton takes time from his
busy schedule to greet the civilians on his train.
British Troops helped guard the car
I was riding in.
This guy sure played
the part well!
Some of the wives of the
re-enactors rode the
train in period dress.
A really nice touch.
A Nazi spy lurks through the car
snapping photos for
the 3rd Reich
And, he is promptly apprehended by
the
British GI's.
At the front we find the smoldering
remains of a fight that we seem to have missed...
Searching for mines
Finding a mine...
...then
retrieving it.
Shortly after we arrive, and before
the equipment can be unloaded from the train, the German soldiers
counter-attack!
Our guys jump into action to fend
off the attack
and save the town... and the civilians on the train!
Gen Patton surveys the situation...
boldly standing and not taking cover.
Reinforcements arrive!
Evacuating the wounded
Video Compilation of the "Battle
of Rheinhausen"
*Disclaimer: I was
operating both my still camera and the video camera. So, the quality is
somewhat lacking.
TSR 300 turns on the wye
The Germans surrender! Note the dead
spy on the ground.
Only a MARINE would be
crazy enough
to plant the colors on an island in the middle of a swamp.
Semper Fi, my brother!
General Patton's private car
Machine Guns and Wig-Wags. It's an
odd combination, but it works!
General Patton and his staff. They
were really playing it up talking on the radio and typing on the
typewriters. I have to wonder what the teenage crowd though of those
typewriters as they walked through texting on their IPhones!
More from the General's car
Looking out the back hatch
of Patton's Car
Pretty convincing...
In the yard the re-enactors created
a really neat WWII-era encampment.
Marine UH-1
OOHRAH!!!!
Michele's maiden is Adams,
so I
couldn't resist a pic of
this little guy
Didn't Indiana Jones use one of
these to escape the Nazi's?
Gen Patton grabs some chow
This is just COOL!
The train is readied for another
departure to Rheinhausen
Texas & Pacific #610
My mission complete, I headed south and home ... to Spring.