After battle reports, from the 984's own "Steiner"
Grüßen Kameraden!!!
For a while on Friday afternoon it was looking like there would not be an after action report with the weather but I am happy to say the event came off pretty well if for a few changes.
I left work Friday morning with truck in tow as a light rain continued to fall heading up I 35 to pick up Andrew. Packing "light" as we always do is was a SIMPLE task finding spots for his gear being the rain was keeping everything inside the truck. Andrew does soldbuchs and paperwork and was nice enough to cart along his wares for everyone. Shoe horned in, it was now time to continue heading east. Optimistic thoughts had the rain stopping sometime in the afternoon.
We arrived in
We arrived at Mikes place around 1430 Hours after driving through some ever increasing rain fall to find Bob and Barry as the only arrived TMHS members. After talking with Bob it was determined that driving to the normal camp site was not going to happen and that the camp was NEVER going to happen where it was last year. You simply could not get a wheeled vehicle off the road without sinking. So on to plan B we went which was parking down near a farm house and an old barn, where at least it was hard pack. We decided to wait a little while as we just KNEW the rain could not last much longer so as to find a place to pitch tents. Thirty minutes later the break came so the truck and trailer were again moved to another spot of hard pack across the road and we commenced setting up camp. Well it did not take long for the rain to start back as hard as ever and it was soon found old that zelts do not keep their water shedding ability indefinitely. It was raining as hard inside as out! It was soon decided the barn was going to be it or finding a motel and the later had no appeal. So back across the road we went and proceeded to clean out an old feed room that in it's prior life must have been quite the party spot judging by the murals on the walls. But it was elevated, had a solid floor and didn't leak in that spot. In no time we had some great arrangements by Ost Front standards. It wasn't long before new arrivals from the Allied side as well as the Commies began gravitating to its "Warm and Comfy" confines that if nothing else was out of the rain which now decided to bring along it's two partners to the party; Wind and Cold. We were still thinking that this stuff has to let up sometime this evening!
So as the afternoon progressed we made runs out to the truck grabbing more gear and the such as the rain would abate for a short time, only to pick back up on the return slog through the ever increasing mud hole. A garbage can was found and a hobo fire got going that gave some relief and allowed some sock drying. Eight o'clock rolled around and of course the rain was still dumping. It was about this time that French Foreign Legion Bob decided to drive his wife back to warmer surroundings only too bury his truck in the uber mud hole. It was quickly decided that he needed a helicopter or winch to get out so back to the fire we returned and he caught a ride with Barry. That would have to wait till tomorrow WHEN THE RAIN STOPPED. Well, we hoped at this point. We kept the fire going as best as we could with wet twigs and soon it was drawing arriving folks like a moth to a light bulb. People knew right away that a tent was your last alternative with the way the rain was coming down. It was grab a dry spot and hope for the best and soon the barn was flush with great conversation from all the reenacting groups. If the rain had one bright spot it was the cramming of folks together which lead to some good fellowship time. Around 10 Andy and I called it quits and found the "dry" confines of our individual sleeping bags. By this time everything was at least damp. Andrew joined our ranks of the dead not soon after. We just prayed the rain would let up for tomorrow! Russians and the Allied continued to float in till the wee hours of the morning. The turn out was looking good in spite of the rain already!
I awoke Saturday morning with the stirring of the barn to find Scott had arrived with John and Aaron in tow and already geared up. I instantly noticed the sound of the rain on the tin roof was not there! The safe haven of the barn had attracted quite a few folks and the sounds of soldiers gearing up in a relaxed hurry let one know we were going to have a battle rain or shine! So I dressed and immediately went about my duties as overall German commander which was given to me the night before when the other backed out over weather. It went pretty easy as the other main contingent of Germans, the 1st SS, knew me from Fort Richardson so getting them in order was a snap. They have a good NCO corps, like we do in the GR984 and it once again proved itself. They fell in line pretty quickly with the plan. Allies continued to roll in for the next hour as well as our newest group member, Aaron. He had contacted Andy that night wanting to fall in with us as his unit bailed with the weather. He proved a great asset in the field as well as with his pictures. Sam also arrived at this time and with the addition of another FJ and one Gebirg, our little group was rounded out into a nice size squad.
Nine O'clock came and most of the Germans were in readiness to move out. The Allies were still gearing up their halftrack and the Russians had beat feet 30 minutes prior. It was quickly looking like any semblance of a planned battle had gone out the window. This was going to be a patrol and make contact event with the Germans doing a river Elbe move. GR984 and it's attached soldaten moved out towards the original plan and along the way practiced it's patrolling techniques. Over field and wood line we moved with Scott out front directing the point in good fashion. It did not take long before we started hearing Allied voices in the wood and began moving in that direction as quietly as church mice in the hopes of catching them napping. It was then we heard the half track move up the road and the battle plan was set to move up the line and take it under direct assault. But, just as we got set to move out the Allies began moving towards us. A quick change of plan had us stop and hold the ground directly above a path leading to a water crossing. The line was stretched a little farther and it was soon realized we had placed ourselves in perfect ambush with the far end of the line setting as a road block and the remainder of us hidden parallel to their line of advance. The order was given to hold fire until I triggered the ambush with a flare smoke round when I had the Allies in the center of the trap. All I can say is that they never knew what him them. The flare round sounds like a 60mm mortar and the instant it went off the entire line unloaded as one. I doubt they even got a round off in return. Smoke was thrown as the "surviving" (IE bullet proof) Allies scattered and the action was over pretty quickly. A great compliment was given to us with this engagement as we had wiped out the Allied overall commander in the first fire fight of the day. He said "I didn't think you guys would have pressed this far forward by the route you took". In other words, in spite of the wet and mud, we moved at a pace that caught them off guard and everyone should be given kudo's for that. It was a great moment and one of the best reenacting moments I have had to hear everyone open fire as one and wipe out the entire lead element.
But rest was not in order for long! We gathered up and were proceeding to push across the creek when the sound of tracks behind us let us know reinforcements were on the way for the Allies! Moving fast we were able to deploy half our troops on one side of the road while the others crossed it for the high ground. The ambush was again set only this time it was the half track moving our way! Well like some best laid plans the track stopped just away from us and just let loose with .50 cal and .30 cal into our suspected positions. I am sure some of us fell to this fire. It was then that the lone "Audie Murphy" G. I. charged us and with 3 pulls of the trigger shot and killed 7 of our guys in 9 different directions! Oh well. That about ended the engagement by his choosing. I hope everyone saw just how arguing "hits" can ruin a good time. If he had just looked at the real situation everything would have been fine. Five people he didn't see were shooting him. As it was, a couple of us had actually taken hits from Wyatt Earp just to keep the action moving but he thought otherwise on his killing spree and it ended with his saying "I'm not fighting these guys, they are stupid". So away went the opportunity for taking out the half track as the other side of the ambush had not even been spotted on the high ground opposite of us! The person did apologize afterward. So guys, don't argue hits regardless. It does nothing.
So we regrouped and moved back to the water crossing which took some good cooperation and helping hands from unit members to get across. Nobody fell in and we all crossed with dry feet. Once in safety on the far bank we moved out for a lunch break. It is great to see the "share and share alike" that exists with us and nobody was left hungry. For some reason nobody wanted a smoked oyster I was offering? So lunch ended and It was at this time we heard gun fire back across the creek so the decision was made to "head to the sound of the guns" and RE-cross the creek. Well we never made it. The Allies had moved in behind us and ambushed us. After a pitched battle we knew that crossing here was pointless so we set off, leaving the creek to the SS moving in behind us as we headed off to find some Russians.
It didn't take long to find the Russians! They had set up on the high ground in a large stand of dead fall which dominated the approaches. Their first volley of fire easily took out the lead element and with the position anchored by the creek on the one flank, any attempt to move around on the other flank just got us dead. No headway was made and after exchanging "kills" we pretty much gave up on ever taking the high ground without having some heavy weapons to give cover. With most of us dead our last surviving member (Sorry but please chime in who it was as I was dead) was able to sneak up and toss a grenade in their midst finally taking out the strong point and then shooting two more who were trying to come to their aid. I really need to know who that was who tossed that grenade please!
At this time it was decided to march our way back to camp as we were all with wet feet and I needed to get a fire going for evening chow. So a short road march followed by yet another crossing of the creek (this time someone did fall in from the tag along 167th) found us back in the barn drying out. Andrew was able to get the guys laid out for soldbuchs while everyone was finding dry socks. The fire was soon going and soup and kraut were put on to boil! As I was tied up with cooking a small "assault" type battle was planned to end the day and a good portion of the guys geared up and from what I hear had a pretty intense hour and half. When they got out of the field with cold feet once again they were greeted with hot soup and plenty of homemade kraut and sausage. Just the way to fight a war! The evening was spent talking with both old and new friends as some folks called it a day and headed out to warmer and drier surroundings. It wasn't long before I heard the call of the sleeping bag myself. One only knew what it was going to take to get the truck and trailer out come Sunday so a good night’s sleep was surely needed.
So in the short what started out as not knowing would happen with the weather ended up being a great event with a large turnout for both sides! Everyone I heard went home happy and the engagements were quick and plenty for both sides. Thanks to all for making it a great time! I look forward to seeing everyone again down in Bellmead that regardless of weather, the truck can be used!
In Kameradenschaft
Leutnant Steiner
Well the Fort Richardson event has come and gone and I have to say "Hats Off" to Les for his hard work in making it not only happen but also have it run as smooth as it did. For a first time event and a first ever WW II event for the State Park, things could not have gone better. If there was even the slightest hitch, it would have to be Saturday's wind storm, but you can't plan nature and even with gale force winds at times, the public showed up and had a great time. Thankfully the winds died down as the day progressed.
The area is more then large enough to have a bigger event the next time and the city of Jacksboro is also quite interested in getting the event going as well. The public braved the cold wind and there was an excellent turn out. A very nice ceremony for the Lost Battalion was held and well attended. The local VFW invited us down and it was pretty fun to be escorted in by a full compliment of Allied MP's and be the stand alone German POW. I was in my best “Hollywood Nattzzi Persona” and it went over well.
The show battle and weapons demonstration went off on cue. Both sides worked together and we even implemented an "exchanging of courtesies" between the conquering Americans and the beaten Germans with the German medics gathering and carrying off the wounded on stretchers, including having them carry off a GI under guard whom the evil SS shot while playing wounded. The SS guy was bayoneted like a pin cushion for his trouble! The crowd liked the Hollywood of it all if nothing else and most stated they have never heard that strong a concentration of gun fire. This with only one Thompson going! The crowd ate up every hokey moment.
So this now brings me to something that is important to us, not only as a unit but also for the betterment of the TMHS. We plan on making this an annual event and Les if you would take the same event organizer job I am sure we could do no better. I will volunteer as German coordinator if the vote of confidence is there but I would also like to see us as a unit within the TMHS sponsor or co-sponsor this event with a like minded Allied unit. I am sure our standards and hard work would solidly anchor this down into becoming the stand alone event for the TMHS. And after some discussion with the TMHS directors the idea has also been raised to make this into the TMHS Veterans Day Celebration and have it replace Waxahachie on the calendar. I am all for this, and let me explain why. The Waxahachie event has never been a TMHS sponsored event but a gathering of other groups who are not into the battle reenactment side of things. There is always so much going on that doesn't include us that when the battle does come around it is almost like an after thought. Last year our group, combined with the French and Allied groups, made it happen. The town had to be pushed into holding it believe it or not! Why are we expending all the time and $$$ on an event that is not even advertised as TMHS? I know when we put the same effort into something we can call our own, it will show just how good we are and not just be some window dressing. Waxahachie has slowly but surely been sliding down the slope of bad authenticity to boot. If we sponsor and run the event we have a big say in how it is done and being historians and re-enactors we know what works and what we want to see. Judging by the support of the community, I can easily see it growing into a great experience for both the City, the State Park, and us. Fort Richardson also has a big WW 2 connection with the Lost Battalion and it's roll there at the Park. It gets much support and backing from the community over this and I saw just how much they backed our Allied group as well! They want us back in no uncertain terms.
So with the support of the TMHS board I propose this idea to our unit. As lead German unit we will be in the front of the planning along with the lead Allied group and am sure with our standards there will be no let down. Les and I know what worked and also know what needs to be improved on and honestly outside needing a few Porta-crappers plus some personnel barracks improvements, nothing went terribly askew. I did not hear any grumbling outside of the weather and that is the truth! Having everyone from the SS to the Allies volunteer for a sand bag crew without so much as begging was great to see.
I look forward to hearing feedback from everyone about this. Being we will be the group helping to lead the way it is important now to get things rolling in the right direction and getting the date pegged down. Your input is extremely important in making this not only a great unit function but coming together and making it a TMHS function.
Chris Richard
LT Steiner
