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Debriefing: Completed events sponsored by the NWHA and associated groups. |
Sponsored By: NWHA
Date: June 3 & 4, 2000
Fort Stevens, Oregon
The NWHA's annual Normandy D-Day Commemeration Event was held at Ft. Stevens, Oregon on the weekend of June 3rd and 4th. This state park in the northwest corner of Oregon borders both the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. The fort, used from the Civil War through World War Two, consists of a number of wide-ranging concrete bunkers and gun emplacements. It was the location of a famous incident in which a Japanese submarine fired on the continental United States. An article about this incident was recently published in Military History magazine. To see a map and photos of the Ft. Stevens park please see our Events page at the NWHA's main web site.
Over one hundred members and guests of the organization attended, including several from Idaho, Montana, Saskatchewan, and California. We were honored to have in attendance the author of Canuck, Michael Dorosh, and a squad from the California Historical Group's excellent 1st SS. Among the public watching the events and viewing the displays was the world famous military artist Jim Dietz. The weather was outstanding, and there was a sizeable public turn-out for all the event activities.
A large living history encampment was set up at the main gun emplacement and made available to the public throughout the weekend. Four Jeeps and an American halftrack made up the vehicle compliment at the camp. Over twenty personal tents were pitched where members stayed during the weekend's events. An aid station and a wide variety of equipment, uniforms, and weapons were also on display in this period setting.
The tactical reenactments were held all day Saturday and half a day on Sunday. The club used the central area of the park, which includes some of the larger gun emplacements. Fighting took place in terrain as diverse as steaming jungle, to heavy woods, to the cool and dark insides of bunkers. Four mortars were used at the event, along with a number of MGs and the American halftrack (Oregon is a Class III state). Some of the more rare weapons spotted were an Italian Beretta sub-gun and several 1903s carried by the 2nd Free French Armored Division. In addition to the tactical events three staged public battles were held. The pyrotechnic skill of the 6th Fallschirmjagers took center stage, with remotely detonated charges drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
'Fritz' the manikin did not survive this public battle.
This was a great event that combined both reenactment and living history. It took place at an important time, on an anniversary when we remember the sacrifices made by so many for the cause they believed in. If you would like to attend the next event as a participant please email or call the NWHA, or fill out our visitor's letter on the main NWHA web site.
See the following pages of the newsletter for more photos from this event.
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Upcoming Events: Tactical Reenactments & Living History Events sponsored by the NWHA and associated groups. |
The Northwest Historical Aviation Association seeks to recall the achievements and sacrifices of World War II aviators through its historical displays and "living history" events. Although our collections and exhbits focus mainly on the strategic bombing campaign of the Eighth Air Force from England in 1942 to 1945, we welcome reenactors and collectors interested in accurately depicting any aspect of World War II aviation history.
RAF & AAC pilots share a pint.
July 15: Tillamook Air Museum. This is true "field" event, with accomodations in a GP tent.
August 10: Eighth Air Force Historical Society Meeting, Beaverton Elks Lodge. These meetings are great experiences for the living historian, don't miss a roomful of Mighty Eighth vets!
| Upcoming Events Continued... |
Invasion of Sicily, 1943
Sponsored By: NWHA
Date: August 12 & 13, 2000
The Twilight of the Axis powers was confirmed with Operation HUSKY: the invasion of Sicily. For the first time the home territory of an Axis power was invaded; the tide had turned. The Afrika Korps had been defeated in Tunisia and thrown out of Africa. The Allies planned to exploit their success by crossing the Mediterranean to the island of Sicily, and use it as a springboard to the invasion of Italy and the mainland.
Map of Island of Sicily
The invasion began on July 9 - 10, 1943. American and British airborne and glider troops attacked the southern and eastern coasts, securing beaches and bridges. The morning of the 10th, after a naval bombardment, Allied troops landed in force and quickly pushed inland. Italian morale collapsed as both troops and civilians rejected their fascist leadership. On 25 July Mussolini was forced to step down, and the new Italian government began peace talks with the Allies. The veteran German troops consolidated their defenses on the mountain ridges and valleys, fighting fiercely to buy time for their men and armor to escape to the Italian mainland ahead of the advancing Allies.
American Self-Propelled Artillery
Thirty-eight days after the invasion began the island was secured. Germany was forced to pull desperately needed troops from the massive Kursk offensive in Russia to bolster their defenses in Italy. The two-front war became a reality, and a turning point was reached as the Axis powers began their decline from the heights of victory only a few short months before.
View from Sicily to Italy
This event will be held at Camp Rilea, Oregon. (For directions please see our Events page on the main web site.) Billeting will be in the usual WW2-era barracks along the west road and firing range. The barracks will be open at 4pm on Friday. Battle fees are $15 for one day and $25 for two days. Ammo is available to purchase, but please bring cash only. Formation time is 8:45am Saturday and Sunday. The club has the north end of the base. This is a Sponsored By: California Historical Group
October 14 & 15, 2000
The 1st SS will be sponsoring an All Front tactical event at Camp Roberts, California. Members of the NWHA have been extended an invitation to join. This battle will feature a lot of interesting armor which will be participating in the events, including a T-34, Stug III, M-8, and Sdkfz 251! Check out their excellent website for a video clip showing the T-34 in action against a PAK40.
The club recommends that members interested in attending send an email to info@nwha.org so we can coordinate a carpool and match uniforms to parent units. California is NOT a Class III state, so plan on bolt action rifles only (leave sidearms at home as well). The unit commander of the 1st SS has graciously offered to billet club members and provide dinner on Saturday night as guests of the unit, so expenses will be limited to battle fees, ammo, and any snacks in field.
