To All U.S. Unit Commanders -
I will try to be brief with this, but there is quite a bit of information to relay to you. I am sending this out as Order No. 1 so that you and your personnel will have enough time to make any adjustments or acquisitions necessary. This is primarily for the units in combat, so please don't be offended if I leave you out.
I. Scenario
The scenario is this: It is June 24, 1944. The 101st AB has been holding the line south of Carentan so that VII Corps can focus on capturing Cherbourg. The 101st has the 1st Bn, 66th Armor Regt, 2nd AD attached. The paratroopers are about to be relieved on the line by the 83rd Infantry Division. The armor boys will then be attached to the 83rd. The 83rd is new to the continent, and have not been in combat yet. They will come out to the battlefield from town and move into the 101st fighting positions.
II. Unit Assignments
Co. F, 329th Regt, 83rd will be playing themselves, as will the 83rd I and R platoon. The 88th will be a detachment from the 83rd Signal Co. The 90th will be a detachment from Co. F, 329th weapons platoon. 100th will be part of Co. F, 329th. 101st Airborne will play themselves. 106th Cavalry will represent HQ and Recon Platoon, 1st Bn, 66th Armor Regt, 2nd Armor Div.
III. Uniforms
A. 101st Airborne - has been fighting since 6 June, or 18 days. Dirty uniforms, unshaven (within reason), messy foxholes ok.
(Ed Note - Uniforms for the 101st are to be M42s and configured for D-Day. This means helmet nets and scrim, shoulder padding on gear if you have it, jump boots. No head cover other than helmets while on the battlefield. BASIC gear that you would have brought in on a jump).
B. Recon Plt, 66th Armor - has been fighting since 12 June. Same as 101st.
C. 83rd ID - This will be all remaining troops as assigned. Wools preferred, if HBT's, need to be worn over wools. Helmets and jeep caps only while on the battlefield. NO helmet nets, because of newness to front. NO campaign hats, overseas caps or HBT ball caps in the battlefield area - you are on the front line. Service shoes or roughouts with leggings. NO double buckle boots! Need to have D-Day type appearance. Everyone else should have a general infantry impression, check with LT Felmlee if you need any info. M1941 or M1943 field jackets, no tankers (which depending on the weather you may not need anyway). Bring ONLY period personal items for use in battlefield area. No M1911's except for weapons crews, drivers. Do not bring any pyro, smoke, grenades, etc., it will be provided at the event. Rifle grenades ok if approved prior to event. Make sure you have a mess kit, and period water vessel (other than canteen) are ok. Remember though - the 83rd hasn't been in France that long, so they haven't yet picked up all the junk GI's used to make life a little more comfortable. Keep non-period items like medicine, sunscreen, etc. out of sight. We do have an encampment area to set up shelters where you can keep these items during the day. Troops will be rotated in and out of the foxholes during the day to make life a little more bearable. I recommend a shelter half for sun cover on each foxhole too.
IV. Ammo
Bring plenty of ammo, or bring money to purchase. Robb will be there from Atlantic Wall.
V. Food
There will not be a mess line this year as in the past since we are trying some new things. If it is really wanted, we will look at bringing it back next year. Because of this, make sure you have period rations for in the field. K or C rations, or D bars ok. The type of local food items available in Normandy were:
melons (cantaloupes for you with dirty minds)
bread
milk & butter
duck or pork (if you want to cook!)
carrots & leeks
apples (like Gala type)
pears (Bosc ok)
cider (regular and hard)
camembert or neufchatel cheese
[wine - a white Vouvray is appropriate, or red Fillatreau - please remember though that this is a family event, so you may only want to use the bottles to hold water. The field CO will have final say over whether this item will be allowed in the field]
Bring money for food in town too, as Saturday morning the new troops will be cleaning up and can eat there prior to field events. I will check with the Museum and see if there is a restaurant that can hold a large number at one time.
Be advised that there will be follow up orders, including final uniform orders. This HQ will be monitoring weather forecast, and appropriate uniform to wear in town will be designated (this means possibly khakis if it is really hot).
If you have specific questions, make sure you contact either myself or LT Felmlee.
Bruce "Bo" Johnstone
LTC, Cavalry
