Good feedback on Tuscazoar

I am happy to report that we are getting a lot of good feedback on the Operation Market-Garden event this past weekend hosted by our own 502nd, Co. B.

As some of you know, Mike Felmlee was unable to attend as the Allied Commander due to a family emergency (Tim Learman fill in without missing a beat). Here is an email Mike received about the event. Enjoy.

"I wanted to take a moment to write about this event having just returned home from the 6 hour drive from it. It was fantastic and worth the drive. I was very impressed how smoothly everything ran even though every worst case scenario seemed to happen in the last moments before the event took place. Your team really stepped forward, made timely decisions, changed plans, adopted new roles and still maintained a really positive attitude.

This event was simply amazing. While this was majorly an American -vs- German event, your staff and the command did a great job making my British troops feel welcomed and valued. The stand-in Allied commander played to our strengths and asked my thoughts on how best to employ my unit. We came up with a cunning plan that was both historically appropriate and very enjoyable for both the British and the Germans while still supporting the main focus of the event and Allied objective.

Also, when we arrived to check in, we were given the option of billeting… and it was suggested that we take the "Troop 5 cabin". We went down to check it out and WOW!! we quickly took it. It was perfect to our needs. The team at check in were very helpful and friendly.

A word on the meals provided this event… YUM!!! Once again you hit a home run. My unit was amazed at the quality of the food and the amount. We have never eaten so well at an event before when the food was provided by an event organizer. Please pass on our thanks to the mess section.

The battle was very good, even with the limited numbers on the German side. Our small part of it was action filled and the Germans played very well and the amazing thing was that no hits were called and everyone kept the game going. After the battle, the dinner swap/selling and just general camaraderie was excellent. We enjoyed ourselves immensely.

I cannot begin to express my unit's appreciation for you and your group by putting on such a well planned and executed event. We all hope that you will want to do this same event again next year as we would welcome a chance to attend and occupy "Troop 5 Cabin" again. This event was well worth the 6-8 hour drives my members had to make. We have driven less to "more established" events and they have never come as close to the enjoyment level that your event provided. Mike, events like yours is the reason why I got into this hobby over 25 years ago. In all that time, only less than a dozen events can be grouped into the same high caliber event that you and your group just put on. Well done and thank-you for putting on such an enjoyable event.

Best Regards,
Stephen Keller
3 Para (1st British Airborne Div)"

Baker Company Annual Meeting

Mark your calendars. The date and time is set. The annual 502nd, Company B meeting will be held on 9 NOV 2013 at 1000 hrs. Location will be the 356th Fighter Group Restaurant just off the runway of the Akron-Canton Airport (4919 Mt. Pleasant Rd., North Canton, OH).

Uniform of the Day will be M42s (clean and pressed with polished jump boots) with shirt and tie. The business portion of the meeting will be followed by lunch from the menu. All members are invited to attend. If you don't have your uniform yet, come as you are!

If you have any questions please contact Chris Smith at csmith@firstalliedairborne.com.

327th Glider Infantry at Tuscazoar Tactical

For those of you straight leg infantry folks who are coming to Tuscazoar, our Allied Commander Mike Felmlee has published an document outlining the uniforms and equipment for a 327th Glider Infantry Operation Market Garden impression. Very simple if you already have the M-43 uniform. The plan is to get Allied personnel who don't already portray Airborne infantry to try and field this impression. If you have any thoughts and/or questions, please Mike at buckshotsgt@83rd.us.

Click the link to download the document.
http://www.firstalliedairborne.com/uploads/1/1/9/5/11959286/2nd_bn_327th_gir_uniform_and_impression_standards.pdf

Tons of photos from D-Day

A tip of the helmet to all of the photographers working at D-Day 2013 in Conneaut, Ohio. They captured some fantastic photos including a lot of action pics featuring Company B of the 502nd. Take a look at the nearly 10,000 images!

 

http://ddayohio.smugmug.com/2013Photos

Market Garden tactical a little more than a month away!

Time is fast approaching and we are about to release details on impressions and schedule. Before we can tell people their building assignments, your unit members NEED to register first!

What you get for your registration:

Indoor billeting for the first 184 reenactors in heated cabins. Space is available for outdoor bivouac areas. No foxholes are permitted.

Saturday and Sunday breakfast, and Saturday night dinner at the indoor mess hall.

Indoor and outdoor restroom facilities.

Water and firewood.

EVENT SETUP STARTS AT NOON ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 11TH.

Period military vehicles welcome. Go to this link for more information and how to register. www.firstalliedairborne.com/tuscazoar-wwii-tactical