Bastogne 2008 Armoured Infantry

Bastogne 2008. Group Members formed part of Squad 4 which was made up of a variety on nationalities and the first order was to get each squad to form up and begin working together. The three days together visiting the various sites around Bastogne enabled us to work together and form new friendships in the living history community. Thanks to all who organised this weekend, I do feel that I got as close to “living” history as I could ever get this weekend, from the freezing cold, to the smell of engine fumes whilst sitting in the cockpit of the half-track!

“Tab” on any of the images below to take you to webshots to see the rest.

“Tab” on any of the photos to take you to the webshots album....

The journey begins!

And then disaster!

Fortunately help arrives


The march on Bastognes perimeter




Not the done thing in the UK but Bastogne residents don’t tend to bat an eyelid when someones dressed like this walking around their town!!!


Our squad even get to stock up on some supplies....in the local supermarket!


Sunrise in the Ardennes..








The cemetery opposite the old 101st HQ



At the Bastogne Memorial


The discovery of some previously unknown foxholes in a woods near FOY caused some excitement,

Great Pics. Paul, I have to say I am struggling to come back to the modern day, I still feel like I am there....

I know what you mean!!!!

It's really weird, I was dreaming about getting back to a warm house and a comfortable bed all the time I was there but now I am back I can't stop thinking about the event. Maybe it's becasue we did so much and experienced so many things that it is just taking time for things to settle?

I am looking forward to checking out the footage of the wreath laying ceremony on "You Tube".

What more can I say....

What an experience...would'nt have missed it for the world!

Low point was getting in the car to come home from Taller's !

Just to remind you...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BKNGIR7GUgE

and

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=koFyTNeaql0

I have to say standing in a field behind a rope, for a public show is going to be bit of an an anti climax now....

Les Brock wrote:I have to say standing in a field behind a rope, for a public show is going to be bit of an an anti climax now....

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It makes you think, don't it!

Fantastic indeed chaps! Can't wait until February! How many of A.I.M are coming along?

BenM wrote:Fantastic indeed chaps! Can't wait until February! How many of A.I.M are coming along?

As long as I can book the time off and the long haired general is ok with it (which I think she weill be) I am going...

That pic of you lot in the shop you wouldn't get away with that in England would you ha ha!

Fab pics as useual guys. Was it as tough as the February March or better?

Sam

samharris45 wrote:That pic of you lot in the shop you wouldn't get away with that in England would you ha ha!

Fab pics as useual guys. Was it as tough as the February March or better?

Sam

The march itself was easier because it was shorter and less hilly but the overall conditions were much tougher due to the cold and the ice. Paul and Les both took a few tumbles and hit the ground hard, I only just avoided it. Overall we were there longer as well. My feet were only warm when I got into the sleeping bag!

Heehee! Yep I took two tumbles. No warning-nothing!! Both feet up and into the sky. Fortunately my bed roll broke my fall, but my back still bloody hurts!!!!

This weekend presented a variety of opportunities to do things, we rarely breaked for much, moving onto the next site, engagement or memorial. It was aslo a good social event to get to know more people in LHA, Belgian, Dutch, German, Swiss and Czech reenactors. Its hard to find fault with the weekend-Murph and I had our discussions, but there is nothing major that we would have changed.

Johnny_Costino wrote:Heehee! Yep I took two tumbles. No warning-nothing!! Both feet up and into the sky. Fortunately my bed roll broke my fall, but my back still bloody hurts!!!!

This weekend presented a variety of opportunities to do things, we rarely breaked for much, moving onto the next site, engagement or memorial. It was aslo a good social event to get to know more people in LHA, Belgian, Dutch, German, Swiss and Czech reenactors. Its hard to find fault with the weekend-Murph and I had our discussions, but there is nothing major that we would have changed.

It is what it is, "an experience", next time I am tucked up in bed or lounging on the sofa reading a book about the Ardennes I have a personal knowledge of the conditions and the area these guys fought in.

great pics guys, looks like a well organised event, now my holidays at work have been altered i hope i can go on the next one, rizla

Hi Paul, Murph and Les,

as promised a trip to the forum once in a while!

Excellent photos, bit of a 4th squad fetish thought!

Murph, I feel the same way you do about wanting to be back there and Les, feel the same way about public shows.

This is reenactment on a whole new level!

It was a pleasure working with you guys a hopefully I can do it again.

Paul will you be taking orders for K rats, D rats and mortar rounds?

Hope to be going in Feb, Jon

Fingers wrote:Hi Paul, Murph and Les,

as promised a trip to the forum once in a while!

Excellent photos, bit of a 4th squad fetish thought!

Murph, I feel the same way you do about wanting to be back there and Les, feel the same way about public shows.

This is reenactment on a whole new level!

It was a pleasure working with you guys a hopefully I can do it again.

Paul will you be taking orders for K rats, D rats and mortar rounds?

Hope to be going in Feb, Jon

Fingers- I do the K rat crates at a discount for AIM members at £18, YOU get that discount! D rats, well you get one on the next trip as a perk for being on the trip!! Mortars Rounds?! A slightly taller order as each round is about 3 hours plus work!!!!!

Cheers for visiting the forum!

Hiya Fingers, hope to see ya in Feb. '09!

Paul,

May have to wait on the rounds then until you hire some foreign labour.

Is there anyway I can get my hands on your pics? I tried to download one but cant be opened as its some unrecognized file. Would like to have the pics if possible?

I hope to be with you guys in Feb, only issue would be dollar, but we will have to see.

Merry Christmas guys and best wishes,

Jon

Hmmm, there should be no trouble with pics-trying the "view full size" option then right click and use "save as", that might work.