Post by crazydima on Apr 20, 2011 10:16:54 GMT -5
Tovarischi,
Well, another Jefferson Barracks has come and gone and the 9th Airborne did a fine job of representing the VDV of the GPW. My hat is off to you.
The event had 4 different Soviet units represented. There was the 9th Airborne, 44th Guards, 343rd Rifles and 416th Rifles. This gave a grand total of 20 Soviets attending out of which 15 took the field for the battles. We also hadthe model A truck of the 343rd as well as 5 bicycles in the camp to keep us entertained. The public as well as the other re-enactors enjoyed us riding our bikes.
The camp looked good with 4 Soviet squad tents, 3 flys and two supply tents. The company mess area looked good under one of the flys too. Brian and I laid out the various VDV accessories for the pubic to view.
Here are some pics:
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2802.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2800.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2806.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2805.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2803.jpg
My thanks to Dennis Barnes of the 343rd for doing a lot of the leg work and making sure our camp area was secured for the arrival of the other units.
The weather started out dicey on Friday with periods of hail, rain and wind and continued with some rain and wind throughout the night. My wife and daughters spent several hours in our basement back home in Easton, IL as a tornado hit nearby. They arrived on site bright and early Saturday morning.
Saturday morning the Soviet forces on site awoke at 6:00 AM and shortly thereafter took part in morning PT which consisted of jumping jacks, toe touches, trunk twists, etc. this was followed by some close order drill. The men started to look like a much more cohesive force by the time we completed that portion of drill. Breakfast was eaten and the camp was straightened up and made ready for viewing.
The battle planners were very gracious and incorporated the Soviet forces into the battles in a different way this year. They had the Soviets and Germans square off against each other as the beginning of the battle. WE would duke it out with the Germans for 10-15 minutes and then get overrun by the Hitlerites. Then the Americans would come in and save the day. It worked out very well and all seemed to enjoy it.
Late Saturday afternoon Ed Hanley gave the oral part of his presentation regarding the DP 28 LMG. He had already submitted the written portion of it and so now he is allowed to wear the Machine Gunners proficiency badge. Congratulations ED!!!!!
Ed was also presented with his jump badge certificate since he too has now acquired his basic VDV kit and had attended with that kit. Congratulations!!
I also want to mention that both Lorena and Rebecca received their jump badge certificates for having their basic VDV kit at an event. Congratulations girls!!!
The dance Saturday night was a blast as always and my wife and I were able to do some swing dancing. It was great!!!!! There was a mock scuffle which the MPS and SPs broke up. The roaring fire back in camp felt very good as it held off the chilly and wet night air.
Sunday brought sunshine and warmer temperatures and lots of spectators!!! As per our duty the Soviets took the field for the Sunday battle and did a fine job of confronting the Germans to soften them up for the Americans.
The 9th had one casualty during the weekend. A hammer broke on one of the Polish PPS 43s but due to Brian’s persistence replacement hammers are on the way.
My thanks to all who made the effort to attend and took part in the various drills and other exercises. I hope to make a regular routine out of it to help build morale and character.
I look forward to next year as well as the other upcoming events of this year.
Next event is Lowell!!!!!
Sincerely,
Dima
9th Airborne Brigade
VDV
Well, another Jefferson Barracks has come and gone and the 9th Airborne did a fine job of representing the VDV of the GPW. My hat is off to you.
The event had 4 different Soviet units represented. There was the 9th Airborne, 44th Guards, 343rd Rifles and 416th Rifles. This gave a grand total of 20 Soviets attending out of which 15 took the field for the battles. We also hadthe model A truck of the 343rd as well as 5 bicycles in the camp to keep us entertained. The public as well as the other re-enactors enjoyed us riding our bikes.
The camp looked good with 4 Soviet squad tents, 3 flys and two supply tents. The company mess area looked good under one of the flys too. Brian and I laid out the various VDV accessories for the pubic to view.
Here are some pics:
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2802.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2800.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2806.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2805.jpg
i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/crazydima/IMG_2803.jpg
My thanks to Dennis Barnes of the 343rd for doing a lot of the leg work and making sure our camp area was secured for the arrival of the other units.
The weather started out dicey on Friday with periods of hail, rain and wind and continued with some rain and wind throughout the night. My wife and daughters spent several hours in our basement back home in Easton, IL as a tornado hit nearby. They arrived on site bright and early Saturday morning.
Saturday morning the Soviet forces on site awoke at 6:00 AM and shortly thereafter took part in morning PT which consisted of jumping jacks, toe touches, trunk twists, etc. this was followed by some close order drill. The men started to look like a much more cohesive force by the time we completed that portion of drill. Breakfast was eaten and the camp was straightened up and made ready for viewing.
The battle planners were very gracious and incorporated the Soviet forces into the battles in a different way this year. They had the Soviets and Germans square off against each other as the beginning of the battle. WE would duke it out with the Germans for 10-15 minutes and then get overrun by the Hitlerites. Then the Americans would come in and save the day. It worked out very well and all seemed to enjoy it.
Late Saturday afternoon Ed Hanley gave the oral part of his presentation regarding the DP 28 LMG. He had already submitted the written portion of it and so now he is allowed to wear the Machine Gunners proficiency badge. Congratulations ED!!!!!
Ed was also presented with his jump badge certificate since he too has now acquired his basic VDV kit and had attended with that kit. Congratulations!!
I also want to mention that both Lorena and Rebecca received their jump badge certificates for having their basic VDV kit at an event. Congratulations girls!!!
The dance Saturday night was a blast as always and my wife and I were able to do some swing dancing. It was great!!!!! There was a mock scuffle which the MPS and SPs broke up. The roaring fire back in camp felt very good as it held off the chilly and wet night air.
Sunday brought sunshine and warmer temperatures and lots of spectators!!! As per our duty the Soviets took the field for the Sunday battle and did a fine job of confronting the Germans to soften them up for the Americans.
The 9th had one casualty during the weekend. A hammer broke on one of the Polish PPS 43s but due to Brian’s persistence replacement hammers are on the way.
My thanks to all who made the effort to attend and took part in the various drills and other exercises. I hope to make a regular routine out of it to help build morale and character.
I look forward to next year as well as the other upcoming events of this year.
Next event is Lowell!!!!!
Sincerely,
Dima
9th Airborne Brigade
VDV