Late '44 101st 506th 2nd Battalion S-2

[flyinghalfback]

I've been out of the reenacting world for years. I decided to throw together a late '44 impression for an upcoming airshow down south of Atlanta in a few weeks.

Decided to try something new and put together a battalion "S-2" impression. It's mostly for display and to add some flavor to events, but I have a bunch of maps and paperwork that goes along with it.
I can't remember if rigger pouches are kosher for this time frame or if that was just the exception. If so I guess I'll throw down on some mag pouches.

imgur.com/a/fj7B1

[Lehotsky]

Get some filler for those pockets!
In all seriousness, not bad. I particularly like the fact that your carbine has a 2-rivet handguard rather than the 4-rivets that you see all the time. You should switch the rigger pouches for standard carbine pouches though. They stopped using those after Normandy. I'd also add a compass and pouch as well and maybe a map case, especially as an S-2.

For some reason why, I'm thinking that they got rid of "shoulder pads" later in '44 shortly before/after Market Garden but don't quote me on that. I'm lacking my resources at the moment.

[flyinghalfback]

I might pick up the compass pouch soon and I already have the map case and insert. Some period binoculars would be killer.

You may be right on the shoulder pads. I was thinking about that too.

Also about the filler... I cant sit at a desk with all that crap in there!

[doc101]

Pads were out by then.

[Lehotsky]

Only reason I said that was because you had your web gear on. In the field is the only time you're really wearing that, never in behind the lines. But even at a desk, you're not going to ditch your cigarettes and lighter or other personal items.

[flyinghalfback]

Apr 11, 2013 21:49:55 GMT -5 Lehotsky said:

Only reason I said that was because you had your web gear on. In the field is the only time you're really wearing that, never in behind the lines. But even at a desk, you're not going to ditch your cigarettes and lighter or other personal items.

I was just joking around. On the subject of cigarettes though I was bummed to see that Camel finally changed the packaging for their unfiltered cigarettes. I can't find Lucky's either, I'm assuming there's some place online though?

As for the rest of the impression: I guess we're leaning towards ditching the pads? I'll probably place an order for some mag pouches soon as well.


On a related note what's the skinny on Atlantic Wall Blank's carbine BFA? I don't want to tap the barrel and it looks like a good alternative.

[pdweiser]

If you know anyone on a military base see if their px has lucky strikes and then buy a whole carton of them, I know all the local bases around me carry lucky strikes both single packs and cartons.

I say buy a carton mainly because they were issued in cartons and I have heard rumors that Lucky Strike has sold to another company and will be no more before too long.

[flyinghalfback]

Current military here. Haven't thought to check the PX, I'll check that and the Class III. The BP near me used to have them but stopped stocking them.

[Lehotsky]

I have the older model and it works fine. Someone we were bunking with at FIG II had one of the newer ones and it looked pretty good (not noticeable) but I don't know how well it functioned for him.

[redjoshman]

If you haven't yet, I would recommend getting these books:
www.d-day-publishing.com/operation4.html

www.d-day-publishing.com/operation5.html

The amount of photographs and information pertaining to the 101st prior to and during Market Garden in those two books is simply staggering.

-Josh

[Lehotsky]

Apr 12, 2013 15:56:18 GMT -5 redjoshman said:

If you haven't yet, I would recommend getting these books:
www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/thu-april-11-2013-edie-falco

I didn't realize the daily show had become the source for ww2 info...

[redjoshman]

Apr 12, 2013 17:21:17 GMT -5 Lehotsky said:

Apr 12, 2013 15:56:18 GMT -5 redjoshman said:

If you haven't yet, I would recommend getting these books:
www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/thu-april-11-2013-edie-falco

I didn't realize the daily show had become the source for ww2 info...

Thanks, just corrected the link.

-Josh

[flyinghalfback]

Ok I got excited and thought the book was available online for free, but it ended up being a sample.

www.d-day-publishing.com/D-Day_Minus/D-Day_Minus.html

[flyinghalfback]

Here's an excerpt from the other-
www.d-day-publishing.com/Orange_is_the_Color_of_the_Day/Orange_is_the_Color_of_the_Day.html

I'm seeing quit a few troops identified as 506th sporting felt pads. Still going to try and swap out rigger pouches for carbine pouches although I'm pretty sure I'm still seeing a few of them.

Page 22/23 is pretty much perfect haha. It's a group of 506th officers including the asst. S-2

Pretty sure this months beer money might be spent on these books.

[redjoshman]

Apr 15, 2013 19:53:29 GMT -5 flyinghalfback said:

Pretty sure this months beer money might be spent on these books.

They'll be worth every penny, I guarantee it. Some of those pics will blow your socks off.

-Josh

[flyinghalfback]

It's been a while since I've expanded the library. Long overdue.

[Lehotsky]

You're doing 2nd Battalion 506th S-2 Right?

[flyinghalfback]

Correct. I forgot to add that originally. I'm not trying to portray anyone specifically, but my unit mainly does 326th AEB and 506th PIR. I'm just trying to dabble in HQ stuff at battalion level right now.

[Lehotsky]

That's what my unit does (http://www.airborne506.org/) up in the Midstate Area. I'm working on two projects right now, one of a photo survey on the 506th in Normandy similar to the 90th IDs ones for my history degree and another on 2nd Battalion HQ/506th in general. My HQ stuff is on the backburners currently but PM me your email and I'll see what info I can get to you when I get back on track here in the next couple of weeks or so.

[flyinghalfback]

Oh well that's awesome. PM sent.