On 8 January 1944, the Rangers left New York harbor on HMS Mauretania, -- destination, SECRET. A slight accident took place, and HMS Mauretania collided with a freighter and had to be towed back into the harbor for repairs. However, repairs were made with the speed that only war can achieve, and the Mauretania with the Rangers, was on its way on the following day.

        On 18 January 1944, the Mauretania docked at Liverpool, England after crossing the ocean unescorted, on a trip uneventful except for radio submarine warnings which necessitated a deceptive zig- zag course. 19 January 1944 and a trip by rail, found the Fifth Ranger Battalion in Leominster, England, there to continue its Camp Forrest training, only even more vigorously. It was here at Leominster, that orders were received, changing assignment of the Rangers from ETOUSA to VIII Corps, on 22 January 1944.

        On 1 March 1944, the Rangers left Leominster, England for a month of training in Scotland, -- site of the British Commando Training, -- a month that the Rangers have never stopped discussing, -- a month of the most difficult marches and problems, the most tiring training that any soldier has ever experienced. It was this training in Scotland that the Rangers believe brought them through the Invasion of France and all the difficult assignments that followed. The hills of Scotland proved to be more than anything that had been encountered in former Ranger training, and here Rangers were made or lost. On the coast lines of Scotland, Amphibious landing operations were practiced daily,