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LITTLECOTE AT WAR


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Littlecote At War

Post Event Report

 

This was our 4th year at Littlecote and wow they just get better. This event always has the great combination of Living History, authentic un-spoilt venue and fantastic social opportunities. From the outset we have worked closely with and often under the command of the Screaming Eagles Living History Group at this event and it was this group who initially invited us along for the first event.

 

The unique thing about this event is it’s not an event where anyone can just come along and play, it is well policed and only units who fit into the overall theme of Littlecotes English Civil War and WWII History are invited. This makes for a smaller event but also allows for authentic representation of the houses past History.

 

As with most events a not so small advance party arrived during the day on Friday at Littlecote house, with only one other reenactor on site from the Screaming Eagles our first members on site were myself and Tom with the Dodge and support vehicle with the group’s main stores. On arrival we first noticed the one way route into the grounds had changed direction and this time we entered the other way round which meant on entry you now drive down the hill with the great house in front of you, an impressive site for sure. It would be interesting to know if a one way system was in operation during the 506th PIR stay there during the war!

 

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818th Vehicle ready to move to exercise area

 

As the remainder of the advance party arrived throughout the day, more tents were erected and the Mess Hall prepared and made ready to receive the cookers and rations that would arrive early Saturday morning in the second support vehicle.

 

By late afternoon, early evening all that could be done had been done in camp and the layout was more or less complete. With hungry troops it was time for a run into Hungerford in the Dodge to search for a place to get an evening meal. With all loaded up on the stripped down WC51 we motored into town in search for food which was found in several places in the high street, we parked right outside the old corn exchange the site of many organised dances during the 101st Airborne stay in the area. The evening was pleasantly dry but the temperature was dropping and we knew we were in for a cold night. With bellies full we remounted our transport for the short drive back into Littlecote. We secured the camp and then headed for the mess for a night cap or two.

 

The Bar is always a welcome site at Littlecote and it’s a swell place to relax. On this weekend it was as expected quite full of guests who only briefly wondered who we were, some thinking we were the band! We spent a few hours enjoying the company before returning to our tented accommodation, a little envious of the paying guests at the hotel who had a warm room to return to. However once bedded down it was not too bad, although the temperature dropped below freezing for a time and a ground frost was very evident on waking up at first light.

 

Saturday started early for all of us, the Hospital still had a few additions to be added to the set up to give a good impression of the 818th Medical Air Evacuation Squadrons set up in the field on a training exercise. The scenario we gave ourselves for both units was one that allowed us to display in a training environment and not actual combat, the time line used was April May 1944.

 

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The tactical scenario was based on a section of two squads (2x Mortars) from the 81MM Mortar Platoon 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. As part of the final build up to the invasion of France we are involved in sub unit manoeuvres prior to the larger “Exercise Eagle” manoeuvres taking place the following month.

 

The Platoon has deployed to the Littlecote training area in support of the 2nd Battalions Exercise. The other 2 sections of the platoon were notionally operating in support of Dog and Fox Companies elsewhere on the training area. Our Section of two mortars under the command of the Platoon Sgt were in direct support Easy Company’s training and bivouacked a short distance from Regiment Headquarters were a part of the training exercises were taking place under 506th Regiment staff. To increase security during these manoeuvres 2nd Battalion have been task with supplying an MP detachment assigned with security of Headquarters.

 

Co- located in the area of Littlecote was elements of the 818th Medical Evacuation Squadron. Normally based at Cottesmore Airfield with Troops Carrier Command, 9th US Army Air Force. The 818th MAES were notionally deployed in the area on joint manoeuvres with aircraft based at the nearby Ramsbury Airfield. During local exercises the 818th have been tasked with medical support.

 

The above story line gave all troops background to our operations and a reason to give to the public for us being in the grounds of Littlecote House.

 

Throughout the weekend we worked to a programme, not rigidly as it needed to be flexible to account for changes in timings, especially rehearsal times for the public training battle display. Saturday kicked off a late Breakfast allowing for all troops to be in camp by 0900hrs, after a fantastic breakfast with food supplemented from rations from the Regimental Headquarters it was straight into basic drill for both the 818th and the Mortar Platoon. All needed the cobwebs blown away in readiness for the Parade in front of Regiment Headquarters mid morning.

 

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With all now being able to put one foot in front of the other and stop all together the troops mustered with” Easy” Company and the 514th Trucking Company and marched to the front of the house to join the troops from an earlier war, the English Civil War.

 

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After our respects had been made to the house and the attending Public it was straight into the second training lesson of the day and “Mortar Drill” for 1st and 2nd Squads of the 2nd Battalions Mortar Platoon. Army Nurses busied themselves with a Calisthenics period much to the delight of Easy Company looking on!

 

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The 3rd period of training gave both elements of FAAA the opportunity to run through the evenings Sunset Parade and rehearse the somewhat complicated and challenging parade format. Chow followed and a chance to take a break from training and chill out with buddies before it was again time for the safety brief and rehearsals for the afternoon training exercise that was to be played out in front of the public. This was followed by a period of prep for battle where Mortar tubes were cleaned and Ammo loaded and stowed. By mid afternoon we all moved up to the start line ready to commence battle.

 

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Mortar Platoon in action in support of Easy Company

 

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The Battle was as all battles are, noisy and before you know it over, but during which the two tubes fired off between them over 50 rounds of ammo without a misfire, all of which were on target!!!!!

 

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Mortar Platoon await orders to move out to the start line.

 

The battle over we broke contact and patrolled back down to our base location for chow and then spent several hours preparing for the evenings Sunset parade, by 1900hrs all the Honor Guard were geared up in Class A Uniform , spit shined Jump Boots and cartridge belts ready to march on to the parade ground in front of Regiment Headquarters.

 

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At 1945hrs, just as the sun started to go down behind the house the Honor Guard and Color Party marched on to the parade ground to take up their positions between the flag staffs flying the 48star Stars and Stripes and the British Union Jack flags.

 

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With some new troops taking part, all the team did an excellent job and the performance was very good, with both flags retired the parade was dismissed with most Easy Company and 514th troopers then heading for the mess for a nice warm beer. FAAA however turned in weapons to the Military Police’s Armoury and then headed for the great hall for a group muster where we said an official thank you to our host unit the Screaming Eagles Living History Group.

 

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From here we had a small guided tour of the historic rooms important to the 506th and 101st unit history, the final destination was Colonel Sinks Office where troops were again mustered and two promotions were carried out. Two Nurses were tonight being promoted. New Nurse Sian Williams was given her “Butter Bars” and became 2nd Lt Williams. Next 2nd Lt Carrots Winchester was promoted 1st Lt in recognition for her outstanding commitment and support for the group. Both senior Nurses Capt Amanda Ware and 1st Lt Kate Lees pinned the bars on the respective Army Nurses.

 

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FAAA with their invited guests from the SELHG in Littlecote House prior to the Promotions presentations.

 

The formalities were not quite over however, the last undertaking in the office of the famous Commanding Officers that night was to be far from a formality in fact. Troops were mustered and fell in, Paratroopers on one side of the office and Army Nurses on the opposite side. On the order, “all Paratroopers not getting engaged tonight take one step to the rear march” all did, this was followed by “where you going Private Wring” Mike (Stretch) then came forward and on one knee proposed to the newly promoted Rachel Winchester! Fortunately for all the proposal of marriage was accepted and bottles of the fizzy stuff were popped. A cracking end to the day and one that will be remembered for many years to come by two members of the group for sure.

 

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Future Mr and Mrs Wring

 

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Current Mr and Mrs Wring with Mike and Carrots, Oh yes the FAAA is indeed a family organisation

 

Shortly after the troops headed for the bar to continue the festivities and relax, oh and to get some dancing in too. The evening is always one of the highlights of this event and Saturday night was a corker which culminated in a Ghost Hunt! Finally off to bed for a few hours before a not too early reveille.

 

Sunday morning was a wet one, rain early in the morning tried to put a damper on things but failed as all awoke with a keenness to square away the camp and be ready for another day at Littlecote. Breakfast was on and a brew ready in a matter of minutes, no sooner had a hearty breakfast been eaten troops mustered for the first training period, Bayonet Fighting! Watched by the Army Nurses.

 

With everyone producing their very best war cry the troops thrusted and stabbed at the defenceless sandbags. After the lesson the Army Nurses gave an impromptu lesson on the effects of stab wounds and how to treat lacerations.

 

Mid morning all troops formed up for the opening parade in front of the house, this time to include the advancing of Colors and the raising of both the British and American Flags to the sound of bagpipes. Good drills by all involved.

 

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Straight after the parade training continued with further mortar drills for the Mortar Platoon and Motor transport training for the ladies of the 818th.

 

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The remainder of the day was spent preparing tubes for firing in the training exercise for the public and cleaning the mess hall cooking gear ready for loading and moving out. The troops even found time to repair gear and undertake some patrol training.

 

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To practice theory undertaken the day before the Army Nurses undertook an exercise involving a live casualty brought in by litter jeep by the Mortar Platoon. The drama was filmed by the attached WARCO

 

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Once again this event proved to be more than worth attending and supporting.

 

Our thanks go to the organiser and Littlecote contact Bruce and our hosts the Screaming Eagles living History Group who are always a joy to work with.

 

The weekend was the first weekend with FAAA for two new members Sian and Miles who fitted in with our way of doing things and operated with both the troops and Army Nurses as if they had been with us for years, well done to both of them and thanks for bringing so much to the group.

 

Also it was a pleasure in having Robin White with us for the weekend, an experienced reenactor Robin also fitted in with all group members and it was a pleasure to have him on board. Ade our WARCO deployed for his first event with FAAA and has produced some great pictures, some of which are used here in this report.

 

All in all a great event and one that as long as its run and we are invited to take part will be down on our programme of events.

 

Lee Bowden

Group Coordinator

First Allied Airborne Association

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