Battle of the Bulge at Fort Indiantown Gap

9th Waffen SS · #1 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2002, 10:52 AM

Anyone here going to FIG this January?

I'll be there.

Martin Bull · #2 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2002, 05:23 PM

Probably a bit far for me to go, 9th Waffen SS but it sounds good - let us know how it goes....

9th Waffen SS · #3 (**permalink**) October 31st, 2002, 05:39 PM

There were a few guys from Europe there last year, Martin. Come on, come over, airfare is cheap these days...

Friedrich · #4 (**permalink**) November 2nd, 2002, 05:12 PM

Where exactly is it going to be? I might have a singing tour over the USA next year! [img]smile.gif[/img]

9th Waffen SS · #5 (**permalink**) November 2nd, 2002, 07:59 PM

Herr General!

Please see this website for all the official info:

http://www.wwiifederation.org/

Under the section entitled "Public Info" you'll find this:

The World War II Federation and Fort Indiantown Gap
Presents the
Battle of the Bulge, 58th Commemoration, January 25th, 2003

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

There will be a Public Battle Re-enacted by Allied and Axis Re-Enactors of the World War II Federation, at 10:00 am in Area 14. Parking will be in Area 13, then busses will take you to the Battle Demonstration and Barracks Displays. Directions to the area are as follows: Exit 81B off of I-81; proceed north into Fort Indiantown Gap; enter the post, go through the traffic light, and continue to the Community Club on the left, just past the Community Club and just before the French 40 and 8 Railroad Box car ( on the left ) make a hard left at the Y Intersection onto Clement Ave. Go about ¾ of a mile; there will be an orange and white checkered water tower on the right this is Area 12, at the Water Tower you will be making a left hand turn to the parking area. Look for look signs and directions from the Civil Air Patrol Guides to the parking and viewing areas. Area 13 is where you will park to view the Battle Re-Enactment and Barracks Displays in area 12.

This will be a narrated event. The narration will include the differences and similarities between an Allied and an Axis Company of Soldiers.

There will be barracks open in Area 12 for public viewing. Barracks will be open for view from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Please only go into the barracks that have a sign on the outside that indicate that they are open for public viewing.

All general public please follow the direction of the Post Military Police and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) personnel for parking and viewing directions. The CAP will be wearing bright orange hats. The Military Police will have Dark Blue Arm bands have "MP" on them.

Speed Limits on the Post are STRICTLY enforced. 35 MPH on main roads and 15 MPH in the Barracks areas, or as posted.

The PA National Guard Military Museum will be open on 25JAN03 for the convenience of participants and the public. The museum contains interesting displays, photos, old uniforms, and other items of the PA National Guard and Fort Indiantown Gap History. Location: On entering the post, turn right at the traffic light, onto Service Road; museum is one block down, at the intersection with Wiley Road (two story white barracks building with old cannon and M60 tank parked in front).

Friedrich · #6 (**permalink**) November 2nd, 2002, 09:22 PM

Many thanks. Now I see. I will have to check my singing schedule.

Martin Bull · #7 (**permalink**) November 3rd, 2002, 06:42 PM

Hehehe
I can see Friedrich now, belting out a few blues standards in a saloon bar at Fort Indiantown Gap...

panzergrenadiere · #8 (**permalink**) November 9th, 2002, 10:39 PM

I'd like to go to the Gap this year, but I doubt I'll make it. I hope to be going to the d day evnt at Gruber in the spring.

Friedrich · #9 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2002, 01:04 AM

No, Martin! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I am talking about singing Händel and Monteverdi, not blues. Certainly, baroque opera is much more difficult and classy than blues!!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Doc Raider · #10 (**permalink**) December 6th, 2002, 01:04 PM

Yeah, I've always wanted to hit that, but I'm doing another "Battle of the Bulge" in Illinois. It was pretty amazing last year, and it's entirely an event with NO links to anything past 1944 - the Krauts don't even speak english.

[ 06. December 2002, 08:05 AM: Message edited by: Doc Raider ]

panzergrenadiere · #11 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2002, 07:54 PM

Doc, is that the Neoga event your talking about? The next event I have on my schedule is Camp Gruber. Let me know about the bulge event your talking about. I'd really like to go.

Doc Raider · #12 (**permalink**) December 20th, 2002, 06:47 PM

Hey, just sent you a pm with the regestration. Here is the general info. As I understand, all units are welcome, as long as you contact the guy first.

European Theater Tactical Event
January 17 - 19 2003

Battle of The Bulge

Sponsored By

3rd Zug (LAH)

99th Infantry Division

Situation: The German last chance offensive has come as a complete surprise to Allied front line troops. The rapid advance of the German advance has resulted in individuals and groups of men from various units being cut off from their parent units in what has now become the German rear area. Front line units that have been over run are attempting to reform and break out of the Nazi held area of operation. These units will come together and form a cohesive fighting force and attempt to rejoin allied units.

Administrative Notes:

Location – Coming in from Chicago, you will take I-57 south to exit 177 (Neoga exit). You will then turn right on Rt-45. Follow 45 south through Neoga. You will cross a rail road spur on the south side of the town. The road is roughfully 2 1/2 miles from here. At the battle sign, you will turn right cross a set of rail road tracks and head 3 1/2 miles west to battle site.

Coming in from Indiana, head west on I-70. You will get off at the Sigel exit (exit 162). Turn right onto Rt-45 and head north going through Sigel. The road to turn on to get to the site, is the next left after the power plant. Go across the RR tracks and head 3 1/2 miles west to the sight

Coming in from St. Louis and the Mo. area, Take I-70 east until you get to exit 162. Turn right onto Rt-45 and head north going through Sigel. The road to turn on to get to the site, is the next left after the power plant (on your left). Cross the RR tracks and head 3 1/2 miles west to the sight.

Battle Fee: $15.00 for pre-registration, $20.00 at the gate. ( meal in the Field on Saturday)

All participants will meet at the Allied CP (Command Post) (Jeff’s house) NLT 8:00 am for the initial safety, ROE (Rules of Engagement) and cold weather briefing.

Weapons inspection by unit leaders will conducted in the area of the CP prior to start of the operation. No automatic weapons. Propane adapted weapons may be used in vehicles or fixed positions only if hoses and tanks are hidden.

The individual unit commanders will be responsible for command/control and conduct of their troops. Safety is our primary concern. Overall unit commander is Tim Hodge. timal@effingham.net

Additional personnel that arrive after the safety/ROE brief will be given the opportunity to receive the information before being assigned.

Assignment of “replacement” personnel will be at the discretion of the event organizer. Let us know which unit you wish to be assigned to.

ALL illegal substances are strictly prohibited and will result in your immediate expulsion from the event.

To boost the authenticity of the event, allied units are encouraged to portray a unit that actually fought at The Bulge.

Our intent is to have a safe and enjoyable event. We invite you and your unit to join us for “The Battle of The Bulge”.

panzergrenadiere · #13 (**permalink**) December 20th, 2002, 08:47 PM

Sounds like a fun event. Have you been there before? I'll see if any of the guys in my unit would want to go to Neoga.

Doc Raider · #14 (**permalink**) December 20th, 2002, 09:24 PM

Yeah, we had a blast....sleeping in a foxhole out in the woods in the middle of Jan......eating cold k-rations....being captured and executed by some krauts....LOTS of fun, if you are into that kind of thing.

panzergrenadiere · #15 (**permalink**) December 21st, 2002, 10:55 PM

Damn right I'm into that. Only I'm more used to be in a concrete bunker during winter. My unit built one at the Rensellaer site. You guys should come to it for the next event this April. It has firing ports, bunks,a stove, and a steel door. I love it.

Erich · #16 (**permalink**) December 22nd, 2002, 02:38 AM

You'd probably dig this; if you ever get to Germany go check the old roman ruins/Army bunkers used in WW 2 by German forces NW of Ingolstadt. Quite a few in protected type forest's which I have a couple of college age friends that play an extremem form of paint ball through the runinous area. Steep and heavily wooded and the guys have found some very interesting artifacts amongst the old concrete blocks, including old 75 and 88mm anti tank mounts.

E

Doc Raider · #17 (**permalink**) December 26th, 2002, 05:41 PM

Heeeyyyyy - we're supposed to go to Rensellaer once it warms up! The fella that kinda "runs" our group must know some of yours!!!

panzergrenadiere · #18 (**permalink**) December 27th, 2002, 11:51 PM

Awesome, Let me know more about your unit's plans to go to rensellaer. I tried to get Otto to come to the last event there, but it didn't work out. Hopefully I'll get him there at the next event in april.

panzergrenadiere · #19 (**permalink**) December 31st, 2002, 12:56 AM

Doc, it looks like my unit is going to attend neoga. Look forward to seeing you. Also, is Rip gonna be there?

Doc Raider · #20 (**permalink**) January 2nd, 2003, 01:05 PM

Yep, he's gonna be there too. My car is dead, but hopefully one of the guys is gonna get me there!

Gerald Duval, Compositeur · #21 (**permalink**) January 2nd, 2003, 05:46 PM

i'll see you guys there. i'm with the queens own rifles of Canada. i forgot where i heard it but isn't "the gap" the largest reenactment on the east coast?

panzergrenadiere · #22 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2003, 01:40 AM

Welcome to the forums Gerald. I think the GAP is the largest event on the eastcoast. The only problem with an event that big not only do you get alot of good units, but you also get alot of farby ones.Doc what is the turn out of reenactors for Neoga like? Usually every january my unit goes to leaf river, but each year less and less GIs show up. Last year ony 12 of them and there were 40 germans. The event is cancelled this year and I doubt they'll have it again.

Doc Raider · #23 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2003, 12:14 PM

Last year there were at least 30 GIs. Of course as is common with GIs, they were all "special". The FSSF, 101 Airborne, 2nd Rangers, 5th Rangers, etc. We were the only Frggn infantry unit there as the 99th. Plus we were also one of the few allied units there to have been in the bulge. We normally do the 9th division, but switch for authenticity. There was also a British para unit we saw from a distance, if I remember right, but that's right around when we surrendered and were executed! They did change the rules about that this year, but we'll see how the results are. I think it's a similar roster but with a few more GI units.

panzergrenadiere · #24 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2003, 08:25 PM

I can't stand all the elite units. When we formed the unit I'm a part of we thought about going as regular infantry, but since we have an armored half track and other vehicles that regular infantry didn't have we went as the 25th panzergrenadier div.