France 'liberated' by a convoy of WWII vehicles

A convoy of Second World War military vehicles from Dorking rumbled its way into northern France to mark a key anniversary of the conflict.

Military vehicle enthusiasts from Capel and Dorking – members of the Invicta Military vehicle Preservation Society – were among those who travelled to the French town of Bethune for a Liberation Day spectacular at the weekend.

Military: John Dale (right) with his sons Harry, six, and Jack, 10, and tank transporter Nick Smith alongside the Russian tank Photo No: RSMak030909-G03

They joined a three-mile convoy of armoured vehicles, motorbikes and other Second World War vehicles for the 160-mile winding route through French countryside.

Tony Lawrence, who owns Dorking Models, in West Street, Dorking, took a military jeep and motorbike to the event.

Mr Lawrence, who helped co-ordinate the IMPS convoy, said: "Bethune was liberated by the British 7th Armoured Division in September 1944 and 20 years ago the town's authorities decided they would start a commemoration of the event.

"Since then there have been lots of military vehicles involved and it has people from all over the country taking part."

The show marked 65 years since the liberation of the medieval town from Nazi Germany by British forces.

During Friday, after crossing the Channel by ferry, the convoy was escorted by the French police on a winding journey to Bethune, "liberating" several villages en route.

The three-day spectacle culminated on Sunday when hundreds of military vehicles paraded before state dignitaries.

Tank enthusiast John Dale, 39, took his imposing Russian T-34 Second World War tank on board a military vehicle transporter driven by Nick Smith.

Mr Dale, of Temple Lane, Capel, said: "We got a lot of looks driving down, but the weather was lovely and the weekend could not have been better."

John said: "It was very well attended. There were about 200 vehicles there."

Mr Dale's tank, which was involved in the fall of Berlin in 1945 and later used in combat in Bosnia, was among the star attractions at the event.

He said: "It has probably seen more action than most vehicles I have ever seen.

"It is fully operational and I blank fire it at various shows," said John, 39.

But he added: "Obviously, I could not fire it at the weekend because I was in the middle of a French town."