Some Tennessee History for y’all

[Redthies]

I’m currently on my first “real” vacation in about 10 years. I usually go on long road trips in one of our Airstreams with the wife and dogs, but that requires me to be towing and driving at least 5 hours most days with SWIMBO in the right seat. Enjoyable? Sure. Totally relaxing? Not always.

This time, I flew to Paris alone, hopped a train north and met one of my clients (now a friend) on his 60’ canal boat. We are currently moored just outside the tunnel at Riqueval. It is a 5.7 km long tunnel completed by Napoleon in 1810 (well, not him personally). It was used for 24 years to move coal south to Paris, and then the Germans pulled 34 barges in and sealed up the ends to make a fortress as part of the Hindenburg line. On Sept 29 of 1918 members of the 59 and 60 Brigades of the AEF (mostly from Tennessee) managed to take it back from the Germans.

There are tons of cemeteries all over this area, but we just happened to be near this one, and knowing we have some members from Tennessee I thought I’d share a bit of history.

Photos of the monument, “town” that was rebuilt, surrounding countryside and map of cemeteries.

[Redthies]

And for those interested, some of the canal system, tunnels and the boat:

[Redthies]

We are probably going to visit a couple of other significant sites from WW1 and WW2. I’ll post some info here if we do…

[HenryFan]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[GFK]

Looks like a very relaxing area!! Hope you are enjoying yourself! Thanks for the post!!

[CT_Shooter]

Thanks for the wonderful storytelling and photographs. But, it's not just our members from Tennessee that can appreciate it. That sounds like a really nice time. Good for you.

I hope she who must be obeyed had a good time, too.

[Redthies]

I hope she who must be obeyed had a good time, too.

She is home with our pack of bird dogs

[Mags]

Thank you for sharing this.