2009 Review

2009 Events Overview

Well what a year, probably the best one the "First Triple A" has ever had as a group. Although unfortunately several in the association have had in regards to personal lives what can only be described as a bad year including myself, with loss of jobs and like a couple of other members time in hospital, operations and long recoveries, even so it has still been, due to this hobby of ours a fantastic year. The cracking events and socialising in and out of kit has ensured that. Through the bad times this group has pulled together and turned 2009 in to a great display year, the following pictures seen in this report are testimony to the group member's efforts and the support all have given to ensuring the 15th Anniversary year for the First Allied Airborne Association should be its very best year to date.

The Year started with the annual Stoneleigh event, attended again by the FAAA in yet again another new impression, but even before this major event several members were out and about undertaking a photo shoot to produce pictures for the main January event and some PR pictures for the Campaign event in March. Representing a unit of the 82nd Airborne not often re-enacted the group members deployed to a local training area as the 80th Airborne Anti Tank, Anti Aircraft Battalion. Later in the day the troopers changed into late war gear to represent for the first time the 3rd Infantry Division.

Some cracking pictures were produced by our WARCO Karen.

At the end of January the Dodge and support vehicles full of gear headed for the annual indoor militaria show to once again undertake an indoor diorama in support of the event. We have lost count as to how many of these we have done now , but each year it kicks off the show s for us and it is where we not only display , but also hold our AGM, socialise at the Saturday evening 40's dance and of course shop!
Once again a great weekend that was well supported by group members, both during the daytime event and at the Dance where the group held a nautical theme as Engineer Special Brigade and Navy Beach Battalion. Throughout the weekend the Army Nurses looked after the group PR and recruiting stand while the troopers deployed as Airborne Anti Aircraft Gunners.

In Feb the FAAA ran "Exercise Forty Towers" at HM Tower of London and took part in a unique Living History Event.

No Combat Uniform in sight, not a blank round was fired in anger and no dirty boots to be seen on this weekend, where civilians mingled in their finest with Officers and enlisted men of the Allied Forces on leave in London. The event ran far better than I had ever anticipated with full co-operation from the Staff of the Tower of London who made every effort to get involved.

In brilliant winter sunshine, members of the FAAA, and the invited members of CORA performed in front of the many thousands of tourists on the Tower Wharf outstandingly and were a credit to the hobby. The evening dance was a blast and the early darkness of the winter evening gave added ambience to the tour we conducted of the Tower, which culminated in witnessing the ceremony of the keys, one of the oldest traditions this country has. A cracking weekend and a very special one off event.

Each year the FAAA choose a non Airborne unit to portray for some of its major and minor events. In 2009, the group adopted the 7th Infantry Regiment 3rd Infantry Division, both early and late war.

The first deployment again in Feb saw us at our local training area at COAM and here we represented the unit in February1945 with troops of the 3rd Infantry Division in the "Colmar Pocket" A cold but enjoyable one day event for some of the group.

In March the FAAA organised and ran the Campaign 44/45 event at its base training location COAM

As part of the weekend event, groups large and small and a few individuals came together to portray the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division just prior to the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. This late war scenario saw the group representing Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company, elements of the 81mm Mortar Platoon and maintenance sections deployed in and around a farm complex shortly before crossing the Rhine towards the end of March 1945.

Although open to the public, this was a 2 day Living History event with access to Village and forest areas. Superb time was had by all and a pleasure it was to work with so many top groups. The Army Nurses were also fully deployed on this event and undertook a training weekend with the girls representing the 91st Evac Hospital

Early April saw a detachment from the group deploying to the Pitstone Rural life Museum for its third portrayal of the 3rd Infantry, this time one of its earlier Campaigns, Anzio in May 1944. Another one day event organised by the local Military Vehicle Trust. Both Dodges went on this one and a great day was had organising a simple display depicting a stores resupply.

The following weekend a detachment representing the USAAF deployed to Hendon and the Royal Air Force Museum in support of an indoor event. The group carried out a mixture of impression both Air and Ground Crew.

The third April event saw the FAAA supporting the Screaming Eagles and 514th Trucking Company groups at this annual event at the now famous pre-invasion headquarters of the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division in England.

Two 101st impressions were adopted: on the Saturday, in unreinforced M42 jump suits in a pre-invasion training scenario; switching to reinforced M42 jump suits on Sunday to represent preparations immediately prior to D-Day. FAAA had not represented the 101st since the 60th D-Day anniversary deployment to Normandy in 2004, so there was much attention to detail in converting our jumpsuits and field gear from our familiar 82nd impression, as there are subtle but important differences between the Normandy battle order of the two famous airborne divisions.

FAAA's role was acting as a mortar platoon in support of the Screaming Eagles' rifle company. The day was divided into training of the mortar crews, FAAA's two squads serving a tube apiece, participation in a mock battle display and preparation for the closing parade. This provided a good mix of activities to occupy the group and for attending members of the public to observe.

We also mustered a good number of vehicles, four Jeeps and two Dodge weapons carriers, as FAAA is now blessed with several among its membership.

During the evening, we took a tour around the manor house, with this First Sergeant providing commentary on the 506th history at appropriate points. The high point was the library, used as Colonel Sink's office, where Captain Sobell was dramatically relieved of command of Easy Company. More pleasantly, we used it to promote 1st Lt Ware to Captain, as OC of the Army Nurses section and XO of FAAA.

We were then treated to a live swing band at the hotel bar, alongside the hotel guests, who appreciated the period atmosphere created by our presence.

We were made to feel welcome by the staff at the hotel and treated to the use of the showers in the manor's wonderful spa facility, a rarity at re-enacting events, for which we are very grateful. A great weekend working with another airborne unit, one of our favourite venues.

Most of May was time used to get ready for the June Normandy anniversary deployment, "Operation Eagles Return" however a detachment from the group formed a recce party and deployed to Normandy to combine a ceremonial task at the Airborne Museum with a 3 day recce of the tour areas. This was a very successful tour resulting in an invite by the Airborne Museum to display at their Airborne Festival show in June.

The group comprising of myself, Tom, Frank, Gavin, Mike, Rach, Possum and Steve took the over night ferry on Wednesday night from Portsmouth to Caen arriving at 0600hrs to a bright dry morning. As we were taking drill weapons over with us we sought the assistance from Gerald of Liberation Task Force HQ who arranged the authorised passage of our weapons, a big thank you to him for the help and guidance given.

A short visit but one that sowed the seeds for the fantastic June event.

In June after a year of planning, the FAAA and its Army Nurses deployed to France on a 7 day trip to Normandy. The group had not been back as a group since 2004 and all looked forward to taking part.

Like most groups, since its last visit to Normandy it had changed somewhat, but those deploying ensured the group was the best it had ever been. The group had set itself aims, it was of course a Holiday for all, but tasks were there to be completed and completed they were. Those tasks we set ourselves gave us good reason to be there, we aimed to give something back to those who fought and gave us this opportunity to freely travel to and around Normandy; we were there to travel in old military vehicles, and have fun and have an enjoyable week with friends. To commemorate and, of course, to celebrate the success of the campaign. This is not to say that while we were there we did not involve ourselves in many activities that brought us into contact with these fine men and women and whenever we did meet them or parade for them, they were given the ultimate respect and then some.

The social aspect of the trip was without doubt the highlight of the week. One could not get away from the fact all got on well together and firm friendships were made, a result one might say due to the fact all of us were under one roof and that roof was an old Garage.

On our return from Normandy it was only a matter of a few days and some of the group were in Weymouth for the Weymouth Veterans Parade.

While this year the D-Day commemorations in Normandy seemed to be the main event to be involved in, here in the UK there were still several events organised to mark the operation, with the main one being held in Weymouth and even though only back a few days from France the First Triple A completed its commitment to our friends in the Ranger Re-enactment group and provided a section of Engineer Special Brigade for the Weymouth parade.

This was the first time the group had done this event and although one or two more local guys have before marched with the Rangers at past events, it was the first one for many. It was a great event and well worth doing, It is quite a light hearted event and lots of socialising before the start of the Sunday event took place with lots of "war stories" from Normandy being re-told. Vehicles and troops form up in the large car park and then move down the road to the March Start point. The organiser of our bit warned us that it's difficult to hear much once you step off, and with several bands and two dozen Military Motor Bikes next to us, he was quite right. On top of that, with the thousands of public cheering the veterans and groups along the march route, it was difficult for the officers to give orders and for the rank and file to hear the words of command. However all got on with it and enjoyed the experience.

FAAA are more used to the quiet ceremonial tasks it gets and some of the new guys to the group found it hard at times to keep the step, but such was the carnival atmosphere of the event, a less than perfect performance that would have been the standard of the groups drill squad was forgiven. The ice creams offered to the Lt and I after the parade helped of course!

All in all a great day at the sea side, a serious side of course, but not quite as serious as those we attended and took part in Normandy.

In July the group attended for the 5th time the Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall,

For this year's Festival of History event the group chose an Italy scenario and the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the 95th Evacuation Hospital and a detachment of the 5th Army's 101st Military Police Battalion.

This event would see the Army Nurses in a MTO scenario for the first time and allow the FAAA to re-establish its Core 509th PIB Impression.

The scenario was pre Operation Dragoon the invasion of Southern France by the 1st Airborne Task Force in August 1944. The date time was mid to late July just before the 509th and the 95th EVAC transferred over from US 5th Army to the 7th Army for "Dragoon" On a flat field site it's difficult to do anything other than a Bivouac camp scenario, however this suits us for this event as it gives us the opportunity to invite into the camp the public and show them around. For this year the Army Nurses and the parent unit FAAA worked together to make the camp scenario, with the Nurses 95th Evac Receiving element of their Hospital the main focus, the Five O Niners were just passing through!

Deploying for this one was a good cross section of the group split between the different units being represented.

As the show got underway, the main focus was on the 95th with the entire group up to midday representing this unit, so we had the manpower to represent several elements of the Hospital, again being an open display area it's difficult to get good period pictures with so many public there. This was achieved in some cases, but not in others.

One of our most looked forward to event and the 2009 event did not let us down.

August 2009 of course marked the 65th Anniversary of Operation Dragoon and the invasion of Southern France. The group had tried to organise a trip to the Southern part of France for a number of years but got no further than a recce a few years ago, however this was to be a big event and although group members had spent 2 weeks in Normandy it was thought that this anniversary had to be marked by the group, so "Ex Southern Comfort" was organised for those who could get the extra time off work to attend. The event was to incorporate several aspects of the hobby for the team attending, re-enacting was only a part of it. We of course had a programme to work to, but knew like all events such as this it can only be used as a guide as things change along the way and timings slip. We allowed ourselves enough time in country to have a last day of touring the beaches to give us a wider appreciation of the operation.

We flew out of course and collected a hirer car in Nice; we arrived in France at around 2115 hours, collected the car and made our way to our first RV just outside Le Muy via auto route 8. The whole of the first night in country was spent patrolling from our RV location to the 2nd day start point. The event was a mixture of marches, civic receptions, re-enacting and commemorations.

On the whole it was a fantastic experience, the team worked well with the unit it was attached to while in Southern France and we were well looked after by our host unit and at least part of the organising team! Unfortunately the trip was prevented from being the perfect deployment by a less than well disciplined attending UK group and a poor organised organiser! Regardless a cracking time was had by our "Team Geronimo" however a return trip is highly unlikely anytime soon.

The September Victory show was for us the last major group public events of 2009, its location offering us a guaranteed good turn out from the Association. In had been a couple of years since we last attended this event, last year we were elsewhere where it was equally wet and finally cancelled, so all was hoping for some dry weather and a fine weekend. The weather as we all know now was ok and that is what added to the enjoyment of the event.

Like all large events problems are expected and have to be overcome and to pre-empt any on our part, members of the group travelled to the show site the weekend before the event and combined a social meet up with a good few hours preparing the display location. Even with the bad weather the week prior to the event the work we carried out including the erecting of 3 of the group's tents was well worth the effort, on arriving with the military vehicle main party on Friday afternoon, a great deal of the work had been done.

Part of the scenario would see the groups blank firing Mortars in a dug in position and the pits had to be dug out, but it was pleasing to see on arrival several mechanical diggers already hard at work, it would not be long before it would be our turn and soon 2 Mortar pits and a command post position was dug deep into the clay. What was not pleasing was to see several Vans and a Burger Bar grill just on the other side of the hedge to our display. With us firing twice on both days and with no section to cover burnt and crispy burgers in the hands of burnt and crispy MOP's in our risk assessment these were moved further down the hedge by first thing Saturday Morning.

So on arrival we moved onto the display area to continue setting up, the 4 vehicles we had with us were parked up and by nightfall the advance party were in location with most of the tentage up and beds sorted for the evening, the traditional chip run was organised before a few beers were downed. Last to arrive was the units cook and field kitchen team. Too late to erect the largest of the tents, the cook and the team were given alternative accommodation in whatever we had up and prepared for an early start, no breakfast until the mess hall was up was the order of the day, so at first light everyone available set to getting the monster up and quickly she went up too, before long the Cooker was in place, cooks billet established and breakfast was on. Soon another two jeeps arrived with more group members, and then another car, and then another until all attending members was accounted for.

The group's scenarios saw both displays in Normandy. In regards to the guys doing 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment this would be based around a mortar section from the 1st Battalion 505th in or around and Normandy Village and was the basis of an interactive display of firing Mortars that would take place twice each day. The largest part of the FAAA display and where much of the group's assets would be allocated was based around the "Army Nurses" stand alone display depicting the 91st Evacuation Hospital which was deployed around the Village of Bouteville after they landed on Utah beach on the 10th June.

We hosted quite a few new members at the Victory show, some were in Army Nurses, one was attached to the 1st Army Military Police detachment and a couple were crewing the mortars as Paratroopers.

Both days of the show followed pretty much the same format, for us this meant two Fire Mission displays each day, mid morning and early afternoon, the latter display would generate casualties for the nurses and there interactive scenario. This year the weather held, which added to everyone's enjoyment, the inconsiderate early morning party held at our neighbours location on both Friday and Saturday did not! The Belting mentality it would seem! The busy and exciting days however made up for the lack of sleep for most of the group and all reported having had a good time. Unfortunately on the Sunday morning two of our group and our youngest couple just starting out together received a call to say they had been burgled that morning, of course they had to get home to sort it out, however they had come as a group with 3 other members sharing transport and they too had to leave, this meant we lost 3 nurses and 2 Paratroopers, neither the less the rest of the group pulled together and helped get there kit packed away and loaded on to their transport early on the Sunday morning. They would be very much missed on the Sunday, but we managed and both displays carried on the best they could.

All sections of the group, the 91st Evac Hospital, Military Police, WARCO, Field Kitchen and the Paratroopers of the 505th put everything into the two displays we did. The field kitchen especially again provided some of the best field cooking seen in the hobby and the food presented to the group which included a vegetarian menu was a credit to the commitment both Bob and Irene have to the group and the hobby.

Having spoken to many of the group since the event all feel there was enough to keep all members interested throughout the weekend.

The Hospital worked well under Capt Amanda Ware, the Military Police as always played a very important part in not only providing a visual impression of the 1st Army Military police in Combat but also provided us with real time security of the Hospital Display.

The Airborne element was as always spot on, the drill on the Mortars were second to none with only one misfire in 150 rounds of Ammunition. This scenario gave the MOP's a close up display of the Mortars in Action which complemented the big battle and from what I experienced from feedback from the public it was well received and enjoyed.

This was the first event for some members of the group and I thank all the 7 new members for their interest and commitment to the group. All in all a good show, plenty to see and do and some great displays from some outstanding groups. The event gave us the platform to work on two co-located displays, the organisers were very helpful in ensuring we had the area needed to carry out the scenarios and rectified the problems encountered before and during the event. A well run show for the most part, however for next year at least the group will be deploying elsewhere for its main September event , but perhaps attending for a single day over the weekend.

A second event was attended by some in the group in September and was equally as interesting and enjoyable as the much larger Victory show. The 96th BG Museum Open Day at Snetterton welcomed 338th Bomb Squadron veteran Sal Cracolici from Florida. Sal and his crew flew the "Flyinn Ginny" and was a waist gunner / engineer throughout the Bomb Groups tour in England.

The First Allied Airborne Association were invited to take part in the Memorial day and the Colors were again paraded on the Sunday morning. Like so many veterans we come into contact with Sal Cracolici was a lovely guy and it was an honour and privilege to parade the Colors before him at the wreath laying ceremony.

A much larger turnout for the 2010 event is planned.

October would see the group in Aldbourne for two events; the first was the Sponsored march for the Help For Heroes charity. 12 members of the group joined up with other groups to support the Screaming Eagles LHGs sponsored march starting at the old 506th PIR Headquarters at Littlecote and latter moving off to Aldbourne for the start

A very well organised event that combined a sponsored march with history lessons set in and around the 506th Parachute Infantry's training areas and 1943/44 home. As yet we do not know what the total was that was raised, however it is believed to be a good few thousand pounds. We alone raised around £450 which added to what we had previously raised at a previous show in support of a former members charity event was a fine contribution to this very needy cause.

A cracking weekend for all the FAAA guys and girls who took part.

As our "displaying" season came to an end the group undertook one last major muster in October, this time we came together to celebrate 15 years of the First Allied Airborne Association at the Easy Company Command post in Aldbourne.

Originally we had planned to have this very special occasion at Spanhoe lodge way over in Northamptonshire. However it soon became apparent that the numbers attending were going to be far too many to hold the dinner at this venue and we rapidly needed to look for another location that had some history. It must have been fate! After looking around for somewhere suitable Aldbourne came to mind, it was central for a number of the group, although some members did travel quite some distance to attend, but this was always going to be the case where ever we held it, but such was, and is, the commitment of our members.

Of the two locations in the beautiful village of Aldbourne, we chose the Crown as this could cater for the numbers. We knew of course its historical significance in regards to WWII and of course the 101st Airborne and the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, well who doesn't! I personally have been to Aldbourne on many occasions, for events or just to research, but never been in the Crown, like many I have been drawn to the main village green and the other well known watering hole used by the American fighting men of the 5'0' Sink.

Without doubt we made the right choice of venue, the staff where outstandingly helpful in assisting us to achieve our aims and throughout the set up phase and the dinner itself all connected to the Pub and restaurant could not have been more friendly and helpful and it was this that went a long way in ensuring all our members had a fantastic evening.

The theme of the night just had to be the 101st Airborne and the 437th Troops Carrier Group, 9th USAAF. This of course fitted in with the area and it was very appt as this was the group's initial impression when we started out 15 years ago as "Airborne Command" a while before the television film made our 101st Airborne impression so popular with others. This was not so much a re-enactment, but an evening of socialising, of bringing the group together, new guys and not so new, but a chance never the less to dress appropriately in our class A uniforms.

29 current serving members of the First Triple A attended, even the newest members had made a terrific effort to get their kit squared away and in such a short time since some had enlisted. Unfortunately however the longest serving member of the group and the one that helped me steer the group in the direction we are now, Neil Galloway, could not make it due to family commitments and the distance required to travel in the short time he had available to him over this weekend. We raised a glass to absent friends and he was not forgotten by the group members who had rewarded his Stirling work with the presentation of a fine FAAA engraved tankard.

It was very pleasing to myself that we were celebrating this Anniversary at a time when the group had never been better, we have a large cadre of experienced reenactors with many new members having joined us this last year and with a few still in the pipeline. It should be noted that in very recent years we have established the Army Nurses section of the group and this have seen the unit involved in new challenges. The women and of course men of Army Nurses were very well represented at the dinner. Past members who had given loyal service to the group were also remembered however the night was for those who now fill the ranks of the First Triple A.

This year has also been without doubt the best we have had. Everybody felt that the group was on a high and all were determined that that's the way it would stay, the group as a whole are very sociable and regardless of Anniversary or not, times like these should be, and are, cherished by us all.

While coming together for a Living History weekend and spending the Saturday evening together in the beer tent or around the camp fire has its place for us, to meet up and share an evening of good food and fine wine is very special and so yes this will be if the members so wish an annual event.

The night concluded with a toast to the Veterans of WWII and the current serving military who have fought and are still fighting to ensure we have the freedom to do what we do.

November of course brings with it of course the Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance day services. This year for the first time a detachment under the XO and 1st Sgt travelled to Aldbourne to attend two services of remembrance. The first was the traditional Remembrance Sunday service held outside the Village Memorial Hall. The second one held in the afternoon was a special service held in the Village Church to Honour and remember the American servicemen who were billeted in and around Aldbourne and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This was organised by our friends in the Screaming Eagles Living History Group and was attended by Active duty American servicemen and their families on secondment to training establishments here in the UK. Although representing the American Embassy the Colonel and two Majors who attended were not the usual staff officers but Combat Veterans of the 82nd, 101st and 1st Infantry Divisions.

Thanks to the Commanding Officer and the men of the Screaming Eagles LHG we had a great opportunity to say thank you again to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and today as a result of that sacrifice we can do this fine hobby.

The following weekend in November the group helped organise and took part in the 36th Bomb Squadron Memorial Weekend at Cheddington in Buckinghamshire. This event took almost a year to put together. Originally it was to be no more than a fund raising Dance and a Sunday open day in the village hall and was only to be an event to promote local awareness and to raise some money for a future memorial.

Always looking for new projects the FAAA through one of its members Tom Smart a local boy with a interest in the USAAF and 36th Bomb Squadron started the planning and organising of the first 36th Bomb Squadron memorial day at Ivinghoe and Cheddington, Buckinghamshire. This event was to take place at the Village hall in Ivinghoe, a small village in the Chiltern Hills and the Airfield at Cheddington. This one day event was to give those with an interest in the USAAF in general and the secret 36th Squadron in particular an opportunity to come together to display and even trade at the village hall, and undertake an Airfield tour and take part in an act of remembrance at the Station memorial.

There is probably less known in the hobby about the 36th Squadron than there is about the other units in the 8th USAAF and that is quite understandable as they did not drop bombs and did not sustain as many casualties as the Squadrons in the conventional Heavy Bomb Squadrons, but casualties they did have and these we felt should be remembered.

Many in our group live locally and many more in the group have an active interest in the USAAF, either air and ground crew or the support troops who supported all air operations.

This event was to be open to the local population, it's their Village history after all and we were therefore looking for a very high standard of USAAF Living Historian. Vehicles based on USAAF units were also to be made very welcome and a vehicle tour of the area was looked at.

The event was to be the first event run to raise money for a permanent memorial at the crash site of Liberator #42-51219, R-4 I.

On the 15th November it would of course be the 65th anniversary of the crash that took the lives of 2nd Lt. Walter S Lamson (Navigator) and PFC Leonard Smith (Air gunner) It was planned that the crash site just outside the village would be visited and wreaths laid.

The event however had grown somewhat and the one day event turned into a 3 day event and the FAAA working with its sister group Ranger Re-enactments were tasked to provide Honor Guard and a Ghost Crew for the unveiling ceremony.

Well what an honor it was for this group to take part, a cracking weekend and one of the events we in the FAAA will remember for years to come.

The last event of the years was the Christmas get together at the 95th Bomb Group Red Feather Club. A great night of dancing, drinking and socialising.

It has been a great 12 months and through the activities of the groups Honor Guard we hope we have given something back to the Veterans and the Veterans organisations. The New Colors financed through a donation from the 17th Airborne Association and first paraded in Normandy in May have been presented at many ceremonial events this year and already several new tasks are planned for 2010.

It maybe that this year will be hard to beat, however with the continued support from its members the First Allied Airborne Association will be attending many established events and some new ones too in 2010.

The group may not be at some of the bigger events and some may only see us in the reports on the various forums, however the group will be deployed somewhere at least once a month and it maybe that at least some of those deployments will be to the smaller events needing support.

The events we have confirmed already will bring new impressions and challenges for the team however we are already looking forward to these challenges and a chance to do something different and in a different way.

Lee Bowden
Group Coordinator
The First Allied Airborne Association