Q&A Session with Tour Guide Randy Gaulke
Q. How long have you been a battlefield tour guide?
A. Officially, I have led the following tours:
Unofficially, there are many more trips with family and friends in which I was the main organizer and tour guide.
Q. How much experience have you had on the battlefields, and which battlefields?
A. Those of the Western Front in WW1. My first tour was with Lt. Col. Graham Parker of Flanders Tours in 1986. Since then, I have visited the battlefields almost annually. From 1994 on most of my trips have focused on the Meuse-Argonne Sector and the St. Mihiel Salient.
Q. So what is required to plan and operate a tour?
A. A lot of different qualities: First, an understanding of military history and the strategy and tactics used at the time. Second, a lot of research. Third, intimate knowledge of the local terrain. Fourth, a relationship with the "locals" that can show you the sites off the beaten path. Fifth, some knowledge of local customs and language. Finally, the tour guide has to enjoy working with people, and he/she must remain flexible when problems arise or the tour gets bogged down.
Q. Have you ever served in the military?
A. No, but I have been a student of WW1 for over 20 years. I also reenact, and that can provide insights into a soldier's life, strategy and tactics, etc.
Q. What kind of research do you conduct for a tour?
A. Basically, I scour primary and secondary resources to tell the story of a specific event. For example: At this time I am awaiting delivery of a recently purchased photo album from German EBAY specific to the 113th Infantry Division. This was the division in which the 3rd Squadron of the 8th Kürassier Regiment served for most of the war. It is hoped that the photos and written descriptions will enhance the planning of the regiment's 2010 battlefield trip. The cavalry regiment's history (in German) is not particularly detailed.
Q. Tell me more about your comment on intimate knowledge of the local terrain.
A. Once a specific site or battle has been identified I start by studying the relevant IGN 1:25,000 scale maps and unit history maps. But you still have to visit the site in person to get a true picture of the terrain. Reconnaissance tours were conducted prior to both the 2005 and 2007 tours. Markus is doing much of the reconnaissance for the 2008 tour.
Q. Why is it so important to know the "locals."
A. I can give you a great example: In 1994 I arranged to participate in a work weekend with the German Remembrance Committee of the Argonne Forest (Deutsches Erinnerungskommitte Argonnerwald or DEA). I met Markus Klauer on this trip exploring the Irma-Stollen (tunnel.) Since then, he has been a great resource on the battlefields AND on the organization of the German Army. Living only a few hours from the battlefields, he can visit them much more frequently than I can.
Q. Any good cultural or language experiences to share?
A. First let me state that battlefield visitors might find the travel tips section of my website helpful.
Second, let me share another story that emphasizes the power in building long-term relationships in Europe. On the 2005 tour, one of the participants developed an infection that worsened as the tour progressed. On Friday we arrived at the Hotel du Commerce in Aubreville, the hotel that I had been staying at for years. Her condition continued to deteriorate. At dinner time on Friday evening, Mme. & Mr. Labrosse, the owners, arranged for a local doctor to make a house call AND for the local pharmacist to re-open that night so that we could get the prescription filled. Would that have happened had I not been an annual guest for several years?
Q. Enough on your background and travel philosophy, what makes the 2008 tour stand out in a crowded field of tour offerings?
A. Three items: First, we are keeping the numbers very small, so that we can maximize time with the participants. Second, we are emphasizing much more walking than most tours. Third, I believe the joint American - German focus is unique.
Q. Can you tell us more about Markus Klauer?
A. I would encourage you to look at his website, www.weltkriegsbuch.de, and the website of the Deutsches Erinnerungskommittee Argonnerwald, www.argonnerwald.de. Markus has written four books and led many tours over the years. He is also a very active member of the DEA, and you can read about those activities in the DEA's publication, the Argonne Courier. (Look under the English language section of the DEA's website.)
Q. So what comes next?
A. That remains to be seen. Given my real job in finance, I can only conduct one tour a year. At some point, I want to become more active in offering battlefield tours, but for now I'll have to focus on quality over quantity. Also, WW1 is not that significant to most Americans, so I might have to broaden my product offerings.
Q. Would you consider leading a tour for our group? What would that include?
A. Definitely. The length and format can be worked out over a one to two year lead time. That also gives me the time to conduct the research and reconnaissance that goes into a quality tour.
Q. Any other comments?
A. Thank you for visiting the website and considering the tour. Feel free to contact me with further questions:
Email: lavarennes@patmedia.net Phone: 908-626-1345
Address: Randy Gaulke, 584 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ 07933.