This post is a little overdue, but we wanted to make sure
that it was done right and truly captured every aspect of Baker Company's
experience at one of the best events we have been at. On the weekend of May
18th-20th, Baker Company, 1/21 was invited to participate in the Massachusetts Military History Exposition, held in Orange, Mass, and we can say with
confidence that we had a grand time! It was a wonderful time, and fun for all
ages. They even managed to get an original WWII C-47 transport plane to attend.
Lieutenant Fraser actually got to sit in the pilot seat of
"Whiskey-7". This plane dropped paratroopers over Normandy ahead of
the D-Day landings of June 6th, 1944!!
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| Baker Company (minus a few members) at the MMHE 2018. Photo thanks to A Timeless Collection |
Planning
for the event started months earlier. Anyone who follows our Facebook page, had
been seeing preparation update posts pretty regularly. Our goal was to make our
area look as accurate as possible. Platoon Sergeant Tucker, and Lieutenant
Fraser worked hard on creating props that would give both the members of
B/1/21, and the general public, a better feel that they were truly in the
Pacific Theater during World War II. A unit sign was created out of rustic
looking pine wood, along with a sign giving the distances from Guam (the island
campaign we were portraying), and other places that were important to those
serving in the area. In addition to these, small barb-wire holders were made
out of metal rods and utilized on the perimeter of our fighting position.
In addition
to the personal preparations, Lieutenant Fraser was in contact with the
fantastic staff of the event, organizing our site, and the pre-dug fighting
position. This year we opted for a very simple "shell crater" design.
There are plenty of pictures of Marines fighting out of shell craters instead
of more traditional fighting positions. We strung our barbed wire out in front
of the shell crater, and put a shelter-half tent behind it, with one side of it
angled up so that our members could get some shade and the public could see how
a hasty covering might have been made.
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| Photo by A Timeless Collection |
To add to
the field aspect of our display, we also had a fly set up with a display of
personal items, weapons, and other odds and ends of WWII life. This tent was
manned by Platoon Sergeant Tucker, throughout the weekend! He did a wonderful
job of working with the crowd, keeping them engaged and teaching them about
life in the Pacific Theater throughout World War II. All the while the younger
members of the company set up in the field positions and represented life in a
combat position.
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| The Marhar Twins. Photo thanks to A Timeless Collection |
Privates
Cullen and Connor Marhar brought their .30 caliber M1919 machine gun and set it
up in a sand-bag position within the shell crater. It was a great addition and
brought a lot of attention from the public. It was also Pvt. Cullen Marhar's
first event, and Private Connor Marhar's second event. They both carried
themselves and performed extremely well, keeping the discipline and standards
of the Marine Corps during camp hours.
We were
lucky enough to be joined by "The Vintage Express" on Saturday. They
set up a small display next to PLTSGT Tucker's fly and discussed life on the
homefront, both for the civilians, as well as for those serving in the US Navy
WAVES. It was a wonderful little display, but with the weather, it restricted a
lot of what could be displayed as much of their stuff is original or made of
paper and the wet weather would have ruined it.
Perhaps one
of the greatest things about the event was that the event organizers allowed us
to participate in the battle tactical. It is rare that Marines are allowed to
participate in Western Front (European Theater) tacticals, because the Marines
had such a small part in this theater. However, they embraced us with open
arms. The M1919 was even requested to participate to offer covering fire on
Saturday's battle.
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| Saturday's Battle. Photo thanks to A Timeless Collection |
It was a short battle, but well orchestrated, complete with pyrotechnics to offer a more realistic feel for both the reenactor and the public. The Marines were held in reserve while the 82nd Airborne, the British Airborne's "Red Devils" and the 26th Yankee Division, launched the attack on the main German position, and knocked out a troop transport truck. The Marines were finally brought up at the end of the battle to assist in the final attack on the German machine gun position.
Sunday was
much the same as the previous day, however, it had stopped raining
by around
1100hrs, which allowed our canvas to dry and by 1200hrs when the battle took
place, Lieutenant Fraser, and a couple of the Airborne troopers were shirtless,
enjoying the beautiful weather before rushing into the simulated combat.
Sunday's battle was much more involved, as our unit attached its self to the
Airborne and made the initial attack up the left flank. It was a quick action,
but one that was very intense. Thankfully, CPL Jasset, and the other photographers
on the event photography team, were there to get pictures of every moment.
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| Lt. Fraser on Sunday's Battle. Photo by A Timeless Collection |
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| Pvt. Cullen Marhar enjoys a smoke Photo by A Timeless Collection |
It was an
amazing event, and Baker Company, 1/21 is committed to helping this event grow
in whatever way we can. Needless to say we will be back next year, with an even
better display. This was our first year attending, and we are already planning
our site and display for next year. We would like to thank the following people
for their incredible effort in making this event a success and their hard work
during the event:
The Massachusetts Military History Expo event staff
Mr. Dan Eaton
The MMHE photography team headed by Dan Villeneuve
Able Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment (who
helped augment our numbers)
We are looking forward to next year and we hope to see many
of you out there. If you are interested in doing Homefront at the event
(periods 1900-1945) please contact "The Vintage Express" to discuss
the details. And of course, if you're interested in doing the Pacific Theater,
please let us know and we'd be happy to work with any other units who are
interested in joining us to make the event's Pacific Theater display even
better.
If you want to see the rest of the photos that were taken by the amazingly talented photographers at this event, head on over to Baker Company Facebook page, or A Timeless Collection's Facebook Page or Website.
If you want to see the rest of the photos that were taken by the amazingly talented photographers at this event, head on over to Baker Company Facebook page, or A Timeless Collection's Facebook Page or Website.
Until next time, SEMPER FIDELIS.
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| Private Connor Marhar Sights In Photo by A Timeless Collection |
