FAAA's FIRST 2010 EVENT

[FAAA]

STONELEIGH

 

What a cracking weekend

 

"All our aims were achieved"

 

 

For us (24 mustering troops and troopets) it had it all, an indoor display challenge, 2 days Shopping and first dabs at some affordable one offs, socialising with fellow reenactors, net working and event organising and a great dance that is always well attended. And last but not least a chance to bring on board new blood and undertake the 2010 AGM.

 

All in all a great weekend to kick start the season, for us at least.

 

Well done to all the groups who were displaying, we especially liked the Zulu Wars diorama which was certainly something different which brought some colour to the hall. Well done to Neils SO44 Group, a well deserved first place and the award of the best in show Shield.

 

Great as always to meet up with guys we have worked with over the years and a special thanks to Paul for getting our orders for boxes of all shapes and sizes ready for us and delivered to the show.

 

Main shopping task for all the group was achieved with a bulk order for "Frog Skins" put in place.

[FAAA]

STONELEIGH 2010 DISPLAY

 

The display seen at the Stoneleigh show depicted elements of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalions Headquarters Company’s support weapons platoons and A Company preparing to move into the small cross roads town of Le Muy during the initial stages of Operation Dragoon the invasion of Southern France in August 1944.

 

Having just undertaken a major assault into the town where they met up with patrols from the 550th Glider Infantry Battalion, The support weapons element of the 509th attacking force regroup on the heights above the town. With Le Muy secured, Reconnaissance Troops of the 45th Infantry Divisions 45th Calvary Reconnaissance Troop make contact with units of the 1st Airborne Task Force. This unit was represented by a single Reconnaissance Jeep of the Troops Scout Section.

 

With the Amphibious landings successful and the beaches secure and with the Glider landings complete the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion start to receive their Headquarters vehicles which was represented by a second Jeep and trailer which was loaded down with scattered equipment bundles that littered the drop zones.

 

In memory of all troops who lost their lives in Operation Dragoon the First Allied Airborne Association dedicated their display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[willysmb44]

VERY interesting concept, to do an actual “day in the life” event indoors. I’ve never seen that done inside a building like that before. I especially like the theme as you don’t see the 45th Division done very often. Great job! :thumbsup:

[FAAA]

VERY interesting concept, to do an actual “day in the life” event indoors. I’ve never seen that done inside a building like that before. I especially like the theme as you don’t see the 45th Division done very often. Great job! :thumbsup:

 

 

Thanks Lee for your kind comments.

 

Over on another us based forum it was commented that it was hard in some cases to tell it was an indoor display at Stoneleigh. For sure the other displays certainly made their scenarios look like it was anywhere other than inside a big hall! Not that easy without a lot of construction so a few pictures here to show those who have never been before what can be achieved with a few hours work.

 

Kind Regards

 

Lee Bowden

Group Co-ordinator

First Allied Airborne Association

 

First Jeep is put into position on the base display

 

Troops are inspected before moving onto the display

 

Final layout is in place

 

Judging time! One of the team of judges inspects the groups display and gets a briefing on the tactical situation

 

To all those who came over to have a look and have a chat.

 

Thanks for Looking In!

 

[dogface44]

Very interesting. I have quite a few anecdotes of the junction of 45th troops with the 517th and the 509th on the dropzones.

 

There is also the interesting ongoing debate about the liberation of Le Muy between 45th and 509th vs 550th GIR.

 

On Aug 16th, a recon patrol of the 45th was captured in Les Arcs and kept in a building south of the town.

They were liberated by a patrol of 3/517 on the morning of August 17th. One hotshot trooper of the 517th (who assumed his

outfit would be shortly sent back to Italy) jumped on a 45th Div TD and was never to be seen again!

Kind regards Gilles

[FAAA]

Hi Gilles

 

Thanks for posting up.

 

Any info you have, always interested in learning more.

 

Kind Regards

 

Lee

[dartheric1]

awesome pics, im with the 45th ID, 179th IR Co. K on the East Coast. Awesome impressions aswell, i wish our groups farb nazis were more lenient about our impressions, they want use to basically dress like the maual states which is not really fun, most pics i see are fully loaded troops and alls we wear is a cartridge belt (most without a holster, and ive seen plenty of pics with holsters) a canteen and a first aid pouch. of course we wear our haversacks an gp bags in combat tatcticals but they dont even let me wear my 3 cell grenade pouch. im supposed to be a grenadier and they dont even let me wear things i would i prefered to wear at the time. so basically i need pics of 45th guys actually wearing all this gear and hopfully they will give in and let me wear a full combat load........... lol wish me luck, and keep up with the good impressions