Category: WWII

  • The Longest Weekend, D-Day Ohio Pt. II

    The Longest Weekend, D-Day Ohio Pt. II

    Here is the second installment of Bill’s D-Day Journal: Following a hearty breakfast at the hotel, Linda and I arrived at the German/French camps around 0900. I was living history with Gilbert, John, Ray, Jim, Ron and Roger at the German camp while my wife and Debbie Wenig were living history at the French camp.…

  • D-DAY OHIO, THE LONGEST WEEK-END 2010 Pt. I

    D-DAY OHIO, THE LONGEST WEEK-END 2010 Pt. I

    This in from Bill Donegan: This is a report on what Debbie Wenig has dubbed “The Longest Week-end” Three West Virginia Gebirgsjagers and two wives traveled from Charleston, Fairmont and Morgantown WV to attend this years re-enactment of the Normandy invasion. Jim Barnes, Morgantown, was the first one to arrive early on Friday and was…

  • News from the Front – Tank Farm Event – 2010

    News from the Front – Tank Farm Event – 2010

    The following is a report from our intrepid correspondent, Mike Momot: The Tank Farm” Nokesville, Virginia, 21-22 August 2010.  This event is located on the grounds of the Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles.  This event was attended by members of the 193rd and many other reenactment units.  WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, the Cold War, and…

  • Old Bedford Village Living History 2010

    Old Bedford Village Living History 2010

    Old Bedford Village has been described as the ‘Jewel of Reenacting’ in the Mid-Atlantic region, and I certainly agree. One of the premier events that I look forward to each summer is the annual OBV 1940’s weekend. It is always laid-back, interesting and fun. This year was no exception. Between John Niemiec, Craig Hall and…

  • After action report Old Bedford Village 9 August 2010 (Axis Perspective)

    After action report Old Bedford Village 9 August 2010 (Axis Perspective)

    Bill Donegan participated in some of the skirmishing at Old Bedford Village during the 1940’s Living History Weekend on August 7-8. Here is his report: The Germans were in control of the village.  It was a beautiful summer day, the sky was clear and blue, no humidity and about 75 degrees fahrenheit. Villagers were out…

  • Houston Freedom Fest

    Houston Freedom Fest

    The Houston Freedom Fest was held on July 3rd, 2010 in the park behind the American Legion in Houston, PA, and is sponsored by the Central Christian Church of Meadowlands. The 28th Infantry, Co. K was invited to attend and set up an encampment. We all got to the park Friday evening and set up…

  • Rowlesburg WWII Weekend

    Rowlesburg WWII Weekend

    On the weekend of June 19, 2010, Rowlesburg, WV  and the Greatest Generation Society held their annual WWII Weekend. This is one of my favorite annual events for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the hospitality of the event sponsors and the community.  We were provided with a spaghetti dinner on…

  • Reading Airshow 2010

    Reading Airshow 2010

    Another June, another Reading! For any readers who don’t know, Reading Airshow is the largest gathering of WWII reenactors and enthusiasts on the east coast, with the possible exception of  the Gap. There is no other gathering of this many WWII aircraft in one place, of which I am aware. The 193rd Rifle Division has…

  • Local Events You Don’t Want to Miss!

    I wanted to give everyone a quick preview of some great events coming up in North Central West Virginia over the next few months. First of all, is the 5th Annual WWII Living History Weekend in Rowlesburg, WV on the weekend of June 19, 2010. This is West Virginia’s premier WWII event. Located in the…

  • A Hidden Treasure

    A Hidden Treasure

    On April 24, Mark Tennant and I drove to Oakland, MD for a scheduled Civil War living history. We were to meet up with some other reenactors at the gazebo by the train station,  however, to our dismay, we learned that there had been a glitch and the event had been cancelled, but no one…

  • MTA 2010 – Beautiful weather- Great time!

    MTA 2010 – Beautiful weather- Great time!

    The title says it all. March 20-21 was a great weekend for the annual Military Through the Ages event at Jamestown Settlement. Despite having been out at Newville the previous week and dreading the 7-hour drive, I still felt compelled to attend. I’m glad I did. This was even better than last year. I don’t…

  • Fire and Rain – Newville 2010

    Fire and Rain – Newville 2010

    James Taylor may not have been at Newville this past weekend (March 12-13), but there was a lot of firing and plenty of rain…not to mention mud. Despite this, the hardy reenactors who ventured out into the trenches seemed to have a rip-roaring time. The event at the Great War Association site was sponsored by…

  • Old Bedford – The Axis Perspective

    Old Bedford – The Axis Perspective

    Here is a report on the OBV tactical from the German perspective by Bill Donegan: Report of Elbe Tactical. It was cold enough to freeze the _____off a brass monkey at Old Bedford last week-end Feb 20, 21, 22,  2010. Thanks goes out to Gilbert White, Roger Bombard, Ray Partenheimer, the Second Gebirgs and Et…

  • Old Bedford Village Tactical Event -February 2010

    Old Bedford Village Tactical Event -February 2010

    On the weekend of February 20th, I accompanied Bill Donegan to Old Bedford Village for the second annual ‘Elbe Crossing’ event, sponsored by the 2nd Gebirgs. Yeah, I know there are those who can’t stand Elbe events because this sort of contact between Soviet and Western Allied forces during the war was extremely rare, and…

  • Crossing of the Chesapeake

    We received this notice from Lt. William King, USN concerning an interesting event upcoming in May. It sounds like a fascinating endeavor and should be of particular interest to those of the maritime pursuasion. Good luck and Godspeed to all involved: On May 15-16 2010 a crew of 10 will attempt to row and sail…

  • Fort Indiantown Gap – 2009

    Fort Indiantown Gap – 2009

    The 2010 reenacting season kicked off for me and many others with the annual Battle of the Bulge reenactment at FIG.  Once again I rode along with Bill and Linda Donegan, who were kind enough to chauffeur me where I needed to go.  I went as Volkssturm this year and was housed with the German…

  • WWII – Two Upcoming Events

    After you get done with all your shopping at FIG, it will be time to start getting ready for the first two Eastern Front events in the southern PA area. The first is: The Elbe Crossing February 20, 2010, at Old Bedford Village. The scenario is the final days of the Reich. All Allied units…

  • Movie Review – 36 Hours

    If we run short of new historically-based movies to review, there are always plenty great old ones to rediscover. This is one that I had somehow missed but recently was pleased to pick up. It was made in 1965 and stars James Garner, Rod Taylor and Eva Marie Saint. Shot in black and white, it…

  • Book Review-“Destined to Witness”

    Book Review-“Destined to Witness”

    The following is a review of a most interesting book by Bill Donegan: When Linda was at the Eisenhower Farm event this past September, she visited the 99Th infantry US Army.  They had a book table,  One of the books that caught her eye was entitled “Destined to Witness” by Hans J.. Massaquoi.  On the…

  • WWII -Ostfront 2010 – Lugoff, SC

    We have received the following information on the February Eastern Front event in South Carolina: This is a brief message about the Lugoff, South Carolina, Eastern Front event to be held FEB. 19-21, 2010. The hosting units for both sides are: IR134 (German) and the 13th Guards (Soviet). Registration 1200 Friday – 0800 Saturday $15…

  • Merry Christmas! Try a WW2 Holiday Recipe

    Merry Christmas to one and all out there and if you are looking for a holiday recipe to introduce to the family, try this 0ne that I got from Bill Donegan. It is a period WWII dish: Jim, I was given this compliments of Larry and Kay Shedwick, WW2 Home-front Collectors: WW2 Spam Bean Bake…

  • UPDATE: Remagen and its Bridge

    UPDATE: Remagen and its Bridge

    Last month we told you about Marion County, WV 6th grader Josh Baroni and his social studies project about the bridge at Remagen during WWII.  Yesterday, he won first place at the Marion County Social Studies fair and will be going to the regional competition in March.  Congratulations Josh! Since his initial entry in the…

  • Eastern Front – Old Bedford Village 2009

    Eastern Front – Old Bedford Village 2009

    On November 13-14, German forces once again occupied Old Bedford Village and were confronted by the inexorable tide of the Red Army. This was of course, the annual fall battle between Grossdeutschland Division and the 193rd Rifle Division. Other groups in attendance included 11th Panzer (and one Bulgarian) on the Axis side and the 9th…

  • Cumberland Goes to War 2009

    Cumberland Goes to War 2009

    From November 6th to the 14th, Cumberland, MD held its second ‘Cumberland Goes to War’ event to commemorate the city’s part in WWII history. While there were activities occuring all week, I attended only on the weekend of November 7-8. This weekend was also the first time that I spent the whole event in my…

  • Victory at Old Bedford Village – Report from the Front Lines

    The following is an email that we received from Roger Kirwin, the director of Old Bedford Village regarding the efforts to save the Village over the past few months.The Reenactor Post is proud to be a supporter of OBV and we salute them on their success in keeping the doors open! Dear Jim, Good to…

  • Troops and trains – Strasburg PA 2009

    Troops and trains – Strasburg PA 2009

    Bill and Linda Donegan file this report on the “Troops and Trains” event at the  Strasburg, PA Railroad attraction. Linda and I made our yearly pilgrimage to Strasbourg, PA for the “Troops and Trains” living history event on November 6, 7 and 8, 2009. Surprisingly, I took few photographs this year, because my impression was that of a…

  • Veterans Day Special: Remagen and its Bridge

    Veterans Day Special: Remagen and its Bridge

    This Veterans Day we here at Reenactor Post would like to share how one young person is honoring veterans with his Social Studies project. Josh Baroni is a 6th grade student in Marion County, WV. His project “The Bridge at Remagen” won at his school and will be heading to the Marion County Social Studies…

  • Soldiers’ Christmas at Ft. Mifflin

    Thanks to Chris Barebo for this notice. Sounds like a nice one-day event for reenactors in the Philadelphia area. – Ed. EVENT: Soldiers Christmas at Fort Mifflin. WHEN:Friday, Dec. 4th from 5:00pm to 10pm. LOCATION: Fort Mifflin, Fort Mifflin & Hog Island Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19153 Phone: 215-685-4167 CONTACT: Lee Anderson for more details: leeanderson@fortmifflin.us…

  • HEAVY METAL – The Tank Farm 2009

    HEAVY METAL – The Tank Farm 2009

    For a real living history experience, it would be hard to beat the Tank Farm event.  RKKA reenactors usually don’t get to play with the big toys, like the Fritzes and the G.I.s. Here we not only got to be tank riders on a real T-34, but we had another one as the backdrop for…

  • Hardcore Ostfront event Lugoff SC Dec 4-6th 2009

    This just came in this week from the 13th Guards. Sounds like its sizing up to be a great event! *UPDATED!!!* APPROACH TO BUDAPEST! Approach to Budapest, Dec. 1944 ( Dec 4-6th 2009 in Lugoff SC, near Camden ) Hosted by IR 134 ( German ) and the 13th Guard ( Soviet ) Registration 1200 Friday –…

  • S.S. John W. Brown Nov. 7 cruise will honor women veterans

    This just in from Patricia Patterson: Sept. 22, 2009 S.S. John W. Brown Nov. 7 cruise will honor women veterans The active Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown will honor women in the American military past and present on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in its annual Veteran’s Day cruise in Baltimore harbor. The Nov. 7…

  • Williamsport, MD WWII Event 2009

    Williamsport, MD WWII Event 2009

    Another report from our indefatigable correspondents -  Bill and Linda Donegan: When Kim Bowers invited us to attend the ww2 living history event at Williamsport Md. We had no idea how much fun we would have. This is the second year for this event. Organizers Kim Bowers (RationingBoard@aol.com), Greg Henesy (G.henesy@airborne506.org), Joan Knode (joaneknode@msn.com), and…

  • Portersville Steam Show – 28th Infantry Living History

    Portersville Steam Show – 28th Infantry Living History

    The weekend of October 3 and 4 marked the first time that Co. K of the 28th Infantry Division, 110th Regiment, participated in the Portersville Steam Show at Portersville, Pa. This is a very nice event which is put on by the Northwest PA Steam Engine and Old Equipment Association Inc. It offers an opportunity…

  • Philadelphia Russian Mosaic Festival 2009

    Philadelphia Russian Mosaic Festival 2009

    Thanks to Correspondent Mike (Misha) Momot for this article on this recent, fascinating event: Russian Mosaic Festival 2009 September 20th was this year’s date for the annual Russian Mosaic Festival.  Part of a series of ethnic culture festivals held at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. The 193rd Rifle Division was once again in attendance to help…

  • Ike Farm 2009

    Ike Farm 2009

    Our intrepid correspondents, Bill and Linda Donegan travelled to the Ike Farm event at Gettysburg last week and reported on the happenings there. (We are having technical difficulties with photos. There will be several more added at a later date.) Here is the report: IKE Farm Report The United States Department of the Interior (National…

  • Review: 1940’s House

    Some years ago, when the “Reality Show” craze was picking up steam, PBS and the BBC fielded a few entries which dealt with historical subjects and required modern families to experience the lifestyle and, often, deprivations which previous generations had experienced. In 2001, the BBC released this entry in the “Reality” genre,  which featured a…

  • D-Day Landing at Conneaut, Ohio.

    D-Day Landing at Conneaut, Ohio.

    The following is a report by our intrepid  Teutonic correspondent, Bill Donegan: It was the Summer of 1957.  My uncle, Lester Call (Luck), was spending the summer with us in Charleston, West Virginia.  He usually lived with us or my Aunt May on Grove Avenue or down on the family farm in Putnam County.  So…

  • Old Bedford Village Guest Review III

    Old Bedford Village Guest Review III

    Submitted by Patricia Patterson, this is the fourth in a series on Old Bedford Village: Friday morning dawned clear and cooler than expected, not that I was up at dawn, but none-the-less, so it was.  I drifted into the day slowly having found out that we could not set-up until after 1700.  I was having…

  • OBV Guest Review II

    This is the 3rd in a series on Old Bedford Village. After Action Report Alt Bedforddorf By Bill Donegan Feldwebel Matt Santos and two jagers of 5/.Hochgebirgsbataillon 4, after marching to the outskirts of Alt Bedforddorf, found an abandoned farm house on the eastern edge of the village, and settled in for a rest.  Feldwebel…

  • OBV Guest Review I

    This is the second in a series about Old Bedford Village. This one is from our correspondent, Nick Korolev: OLD BEDFORD VILLAGE 1940s WEEKEND This was a unique and wonderful experience for myself and friend Rick “Byrdie” Byrd. We are both Civil War living historians and reenactors who belong to the Federal Generals Corps (first…

  • Old Bedford Village Living History August 2009

    Old Bedford Village Living History August 2009

    (This is the first in a series this week about the WWII event at Old Bedford Village this past Weekend.) Old Bedfore Village had its annual 1940’s weekend over August 8 and 9 and this year was bigger and better than ever. There was a greater diversity of Reenacting units than ever before. In particular,…

  • Upcoming Event – Old Bedford Village

    Sorry for a lack of posts this week. I just got back from Maine and am getting ready for the Old Bedford Village WWII living history this upcoming weekend.  There will be much to write about next week. Speaking of OBV, this is a great event and I can’t recommend it enough. If you are…

  • Forest Hills WWII Encampment

    Forest Hills WWII Encampment

    On Independence Day, July 4, 2009, the 28th Infantry Division, Company K put on a  living history encampment at the Forest Hills park in the Pittsburgh area. This was mainly a one day event and was part of Forest Hills Community Day at the park. While our little encampment was tucked away back from the…

  • Rowlesburg, WV WWII event 2009

    Rowlesburg, WV WWII event 2009

    Despite the obligatory rain on Friday, the weather was quite nice for the rest of the weekend for this event.  There were several more reenactors than last year and for many of those who had been there before, the displays were bigger and better than ever. Especially impressive was the camp of the U.S. Navy…

  • Restaurant Review By Bill Donegan

    Restaurant Review By Bill Donegan

    I had a wonderful time at “The Alpen Hof German Restaurant” on Saturday night June 6, 2009. The Alpen Hof is located on Morgantown Road in Reading, Pa. It is only three miles from the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. The occasion for my being there was that our German reenacting unit “The Kaiserlautern Volks Sturm”…