Trowbridge 2011-82nd Airborne MTO

This is our third year as participants of Trowbridges armed forces celebrations. We decided to try out our impression of the 82nd Airborne in the MTO, this meant acquiring certain new kit including; un-reinforced jumpsuits, training gasmask bags, full length bayonets, andT handle shovels.

For the third year running, the weather was kind to us, and our display consisted of a small area for rifle drill, and Murphs’, “Coffee- GI style” demonstration, a small field kitchen, including the “Potato peeling demonstration”, and our new squad stove, finally an area to display a typical MTO airborne load out.





Peeling potatoes commences!



Meanwhile Murph demonstrates “coffee GI Style”





A short while later and Private O’Dwyer has made quick work of 100 potatoes, and the group enjoy the result; mashed potato and pasta!




Later, the group gives a talk on typical Airborne MTO kit



And Johnny Costino decides to don some of the kit…


Later the group are approached by Lucette Powell, a resident of the area who lived in a Town just outside Paris at the time of the Liberation of Europe. She told us that VE day was the happiest day of her life. Corporal Murphy will be doing a more detailed write up of this encounter and her memories.



She left us for a short while and returned with some pictures of herself during the war, in the company of GI’s






Whilst the group were taking some rest from the heat of the day, nobody warned them of the sudden arrival of some of the top brass, catching all unaware..


Fortunately Murph was on hand to take the bum detail and "volunteer" to distract the general...





After the MPs had finished with Murph it was time for some socialising





The next day we had a chance to hook up and try out one of Tom Sainters chutes…









After being kitted up, Dan decided to try out the effectiveness of a ‘chute!




Although it ended in tears….



We are considering linking in with another group for 2012; two groups displaying side by side so as to create a more impressive for the public present. Its less than a year away!

Absolutely cracking! I love the fact that we had a lot of public interacting with us. Notes for the future, build on the GI coffee demonstration and also thought the Parachute was an excellent idea. Loads of Pics. taken by the public and actually not something you see very often at a public show, something to do again. Well done to all.

Great photos! I do like your new 82nd Airborne MTO impression.

Joe

Bazooka Joe wrote:Great photos! I do like your new 82nd Airborne MTO impression.

Joe

Thanks!

Murph, I agree about the chute bit. Might even risk taking pack tray off my t5 rig so we can have a more realistic photo chute...er I mean shoot!

Just be careful. Not all of the reproductions around have full length Risers. Better check first. If you need any help in lacing it back up again, let me know!

Cheers,
Ben.

BenM wrote:Just be careful. Not all of the reproductions around have full length Risers. Better check first. If you need any help in lacing it back up again, let me know!

Cheers,
Ben.

Cheers! we'll have a look-see before I cut any cords!

Love the pics! Shame we didn't get more of the crowds we pulled over cus we got loads of interest!

Lovely pics there guys !! I'm glad to see that the field kitchen is working thus improving the quality standards of Hotel company ^^. Next step will be breakfast in bed . Very impressive to see a chute deployed and I congratulate Dan for his beautiful roll on the ground (as beautiful as the one I did in Normandy !! ). Nice event I would like to attend one day !

Do you know where Airborne radiomen would put there radio ?? Did they have special harness to attach it to the rest of their equipment ?

Pat

LOL!! I forgot about that! That was when our jeep ran into difficulties and we had to push it back!

Looks fantastic guys. Well done one and all. By the way Paul any chance of you sending me a copy of the photos you took from East Kirkby for my personal album. Thanks mate.

Andy DEANO Dean

Deano wrote:Looks fantastic guys. Well done one and all. By the way Paul any chance of you sending me a copy of the photos you took from East Kirkby for my personal album. Thanks mate.

Andy DEANO Dean

Email me your addresss and I'll put on a CD for you. (using back-up computer at the mo- so wont be straight away)

Hi Guys,
This was a great event and I think fun was had by all. I was also very happy to finially do an MTO impression so well done to all fo pulling that off. Thanks to Paul and Dan for picking me up. I think the pics do the display justice.

I look forward to our next event chaps.

Regards
Tom