The only exception was the little place in Normandy when I had 6 francs and a ticket home.
No, but it was early in June. I studied French in high school and spanish in college, the Army sent me to Germany, where I served with the 3rd Armored Division.
I would take weekends and head off to France where I could communicate with the locals better. I walked the roads of Normandy and Belgium, with various books of history in my pocket. My Bn was at Vielsalm in Belgium during the Bulge, but I served long afterwards during the Carter Administration.
I was once asked by a troop of boy scouts if I knew where we were. I asked to see their map, and pulled out a blade of grass, to point to the very exact place where we were, and then pointed out the terrain features that made it so.
The corporal with me laughed. I knew the ground better than people who grew up within a few miles of the place.
Infantry is a lot about knowing the wiggles in the ground, and how to use them. That and keeping warm.