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Debriefing: Completed events sponsored by the NWHA and associated groups. |
Invasion of Sicily, 1943
Sponsored By: NWHA
Date: August 12 & 13, 2000
Fort Stevens, Oregon
This year's Italian Campaign event had quite a few surprises for those in attendance. The membership not only was up to the challenge but showed a good deal of initiative and flexibility. In the end the event turned out to be very successful, especially in showing the strengths of our group.
On the Friday before the event the governor of Oregon declared a state of emergency. The National Guard was called up to mobilize manpower for the nationwide fire-fighting efforts. Several of these units were brought to Camp Rilea for their training, causing the regrettable loss of barracks and training grounds for the NWHA. The efforts of our Event Coordinator and Secretary saved the day by securing an outdoor site for camping and a portion of the base for our event.
Each unit chose a camp site and settled in under thankfully perfect weather. The Commonwealth troops choose a large sandbagged bunker for their camp, while the American and German units set up tents and zeltbahns. We were even treated to a display of the Northern Lights and a meteor shower.
The club tried out several new rules at the event which were aimed at increasing tactical realism and unit cohesion. The first was to establish clear scenarios of limited duration, during which only a single stationary deadpool for both the Allied and Axis were allowed. The second required any section or squad which fell below 50% strength to fall back or surrender. Survivors from broken squads were to return to their deadpool and reform new squads with available replacements and NCOs. These rules slowed down the pace of actions, putting more emphasis on scouting and coordinated attacks.
The American halftrack attended and was used in the MOUT (urban training) site for the first time. It appears likely that it will be joined by its' German counterpart for our November event. Other notable attendees were several Tommies sporting their desert shorts, and a lone Italian rifleman.
In the field the Commonwealth units established a fortified command post. Firing pits were dug along a ridge and two sets of field phones were used to communicate with forward observation posts. The position was very secure, and held until lunch-time, when a Jerry patrol was somehow able to penetrate unseen right up to the officers mess, causing several quick casualties. Luckily the attack was then beaten back by the other ranks without any further loss.
Several of the biggest surprises of the weekend involved the (modern) U.S. Army. The club was invited to watch a low-level drop from the landing zone made by 80 special forces soldiers. Four sticks of twenty men each landed in the reed-covered dunes along the beach. Later that evening a mixed group of ten club members, including both GIs and Germans, fought an impromptu battle with in the MOUT a National Guard unit from Alaska. Without the benefit of heavy weapons and heavily outnumbered, fighting Humvees, smoke grenades, artillery simulators, and SAWs, our fellow reenactors covered themselves in glory while defending to the last man. They put up a spirited defense and inflicted severe casualties on their attackers. We also introduced a few recruits to the sound of REAL blanks!
What could have been a disappointing cancellation turned into an interesting and fun weekend. The best qualities of the membership were on display, and in the end we were able to try some new things and make some new friends with the 'regulars'. Thanks to all who attended!
See the following pages of the newsletter for more photos from this event.
Sponsored By: NHAA
Date: August 5 & 6, 2000
Tillamook, Oregon
The Tillamook Air Museum on the Oregon coast was host to a 24-hour living history display by the Northwest Historical Aviation Association. Eight members of the group helped to set up a public display of equipment and uniforms of the 8th Air Force and Royal Air Force during a weekend of public viewing of the museum's aircraft. A period tent and display tables were set up and well attended by the public. A number of ex-airmen also stopped by to relate stories of their service and look at the gear.
The group also had the pleasure of taking part in a professional photo shoot, as part of the museum's efforts to publish material showing their aircraft with historically appropriate pilots and crew. This allowed group members to climb aboard several of WW2 aircraft in full uniform, gear, and parachutes. An air force crew was assembled and photographed inside a B-25, a navy crew in a Dauntless, and one lucky member as a pilot in a P-51.
See the following photos pages for more pictues from this event. For more information on the Northwest Historical Aviation Association and upcoming events email Neal at nealmaillet@worldnet.att.net.
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Upcoming Events: Tactical Reenactments & Living History Events sponsored by the NWHA and associated groups. |
Fall, 1944
Sponsored By: NWHA
Date: November 4 & 5, 2000
Camp Rilea, Oregon
The Fall of 1944 was a time of rapid advance followed by a consolidation of a new front line along the Germany's western border. In the North, Crerar's Canadian 1st Army and Dempsey's British 2nd Army, both under Field Marshal Montgomery, moved through Belgium and into Holland. In the center Bradley's American army group, composed of Simpson's 9th Army, Hodges' 1st Army, and Patton's 3rd Army moved through Luxembourg to the "West Wall". In the south, the American 7th Army and the French 1st Army pushed to the Saar and Rhine Rivers.
American Infantry in the Hurtgen Forest
For Germany the Fall of 1944 began in headlong retreat from Allied invasions in Brittany and Southern France. After a collapse which seemed to spell the quick end of the Reich, unexpected victories were found in the defeat of the Market-Garden operation and later the blunting of American attacks in the Hurtgen forest. German forces were withdrawn to defendable positions in their own country. Units were reorganized, reformed and rearmed in what became know as the "Miracle in the West". Army Group H under Student defended German's hold in Northern Holland and Germany. In the center Army Group B under Model defended the heartland of the industrial Ruhr valley along the Our River. To the south Army Group G under Balck defended the Saar River crossings in front of Frankfurt.
The Miracle in the West
This event will be held at Camp Rilea, Oregon. It will be our last event this year at Camp Rilea, so don't miss out on the West's best reenacting relocation this one last time in 2000. For directions please see our Events page on the main web site. We expect the billeting will be in the usual WW2-era barracks along the west road and firing range. Normally the barracks are opened at 4pm on Friday; you should check with your unit commander to verify the time and location. Battle fees for Camp Rilea are $15 for one day and $25 for two days. Ammunition is available to purchase, but please bring cash only. Formation time will be 8:45am Saturday and Sunday. Remember that while the barracks are very comfortable and warm, we know that the unexpected can happen, so please be prepared and bring warm clothing, sleeping bags, and a tent if possible.
This event is closed to the public. If you would like to attend as a guest please see our Registration letter on the main web site under the Events page. Print the letter and coordinate with the unit that best matches your impression.
Living History
Sponsored By: NWHA
November 7, 2000
Milwaukie High School, Oregon
One of the NWHA's largest community events will take place on November 6th & 7th in Milwaukie, Oregon. This unique event, held at the Milwaukie High School, is an annual living history display sponsored by the club. The NWHA membership will man between 50 to 100 display tables as part of the area's Veterans' Day celebrations. Thousands of people and hundreds of veterans normally attend the club's displays, and this year a national media presence is expected as well. This is a great chance to bring history to life in an educational way for the community at large while honoring the nations' veterans.
Members are encouraged to wear uniforms as part of their display, but due to the nature of the event this will be limited to Allied uniforms only. Equipment displays for any nationality in WW2 are welcome, as are displays of American militaria from any time period. Vehicles are also encouraged, and an area has been set aside for their display. Please remember that while you may bring historical firearms, blanks and live ammunition are not allowed.
You may reserve as many tables as you need, but its important that you follow through on your commitment; we don't want empty tables reflecting poorly on the club. Even if you don't have items to display on a table you are welcome to attend. The club will be setting up the displays on Monday evening, November 6th. On Tuesday members will be needed to help man the tables and speak with the public, and later that afternoon to help with the takedown.
If you would like to attend this important event please send email to cpa_33@hotmail.com.
Sponsored By:
Northwest Historical Aviation Assn
Fourth Quarter Events
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November 6: USO dance in Milwaukie |
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November 9: 8th Air Force Historical Association Meeting, Beaverton Elks Lodge, Beaverton, Oregon. Gathering of around 60 USAAF vets to hear a lecture on WW2 aviation. |
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November 11: Pearson Air Museum Annual Dance, Pearson Air Park, Vancouver, Washington. Authentic swing music in a hangar used during WW2. Air Corps and RAF impressions highly recommended. |
Sponsored By: California Historical Group
October 21 & 22, 2000
Please note the date for this event. In the Third Quarter newsletter the date was incorrectly listed. For information on this event please visit the CHG web site or the sponsoring unit, the 1st SS.
