I Have Been To...D-Day Ohio

Late last night I returned from Conneaut, Ohio after participating in the annual re-enactment of the D-Day landings in Normandy. 

How was it? I am sore, bruised, a bit scratched up and very, very happy to have participated again. 

For WW2 re-enacting, I normally badge up as either 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion or Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. At D-Day Ohio, though, those impressions are less needed, so for the last couple of times, I badged up as Regiment De La Chaudiere, which is a French Candian regiment coming from the Chaudiere River area of southern Quebec. A friend of mine, Martin, and his brother Jean often portray The Chauds, when they are not portraying Canadian Film and Photo Unit. 

Sadly, Martin and Jean couldn't make it this year because of a last minute issue, so I thought I was going to be on my own, but that was not the case. Yannik, Pascal, and several others made the drive down from Quebec, so I was in good company, even if I speak almost no French. C'est bon! 

Welcome to Camp Harris, home of the Commonwealth Forces

Named after the former commander of the Commonwealth Forces at D-Day Ohio, this was the sign that greeted us as we arrived from our various starting points. 

Behind this line of canvas (to the left of the photo) is where bums like me in my little two-man tent were placed. On the one hand, out of sight, out of mind, but on the other hand....

Fortunately, the property owner behind the hurricane fencing, just out of sight of the photo, allowed my friend Rich and I to park our cars there, for a reduced fee, for the weekend. So, pack out was quick. More anon about that.... 

Had I know they were coming with the bell tents... C Coy, Regt De La Chaudiere on our little bit of Ohio...Glamping 1944 Style

But being out of sight out, out of mine had some benefits. Jambon et Oeufs for breakie. I also fried up bread in the pan. 12 men, 22 cackleberries right out of Le Poulet, and two packs of diced ham, and some butter tarts, we were ready to start the day. And fresh coffee made in the perk pot. Had I know I was going to have the section with us, I would have been better prepared. 

The Commonwealth Forces do a number of impressions and some of them are fairly involved. That shack has a wonderful layout of kit and uniforms and papers. 

There used to be a CF Mess, but the folks who set up that haven't been here for the last couple of years. 

The RAF Regiment is well represented with lots of displays and kit to "show and tell", along with the Polish Forces, The Royal Navy, the Paras, and several smaller organizations. 

I did not take any photos of the beach assault on Friday because I was, well, busy assaulting. Suffice to say there will be pictures at some point. One of the CF&PU was there and he's promised to send me some ones that are free to share outside of our group. 

But for now....there were tanks there...a troop's worth of Shermans of various models. 

"Arrogant Bastard" owned by a friend of a friend in Ligonier, PA

That particular tank is crewed by retired members of the old 6/68th Armor Battalion from the US Army Reserve, back when the USAR had combat arms battalions. Arrogant Bastard badges up as a Canadian tank for D-Day Ohio, then reverts back to US Colors for other events like the one coming up in Hazelton, PA.

The two carriers in front came from the Ontario Regiment Museum in Oshawa, Ontario. The carriers provided cover fire for us on the beach with Bren guns. 

Two fine veterans here. Steve P on the right (whom I have re-enacted with for er....almost 30 years...) and his former Battalion Sergeant-Major on the left (whose first name I cannot remember right now...). They were kind enough to let my fellow Chauds and I climb into the tank and look around. 

View from the loader's station in the tank. The breech block was removed and this shows where they place their blanks when firing. Essentially, they have a way of making the "rounds" fire that give a decent impression of tank gun fire. 

Driver station in the tank. Note how small it is... However, if you have ever driven a M113 or M577 carrier, you'll know exactly what you are looking at... 

The Allied Forces mess is one of the unsung groups that make this re-enactment worth going to every year. This small team, no more than a half dozen or so, manning the mess section full time, made up 4200 meals during the event, from Thursday to Saturday, using the three field kitchen stoves you see in the photo. 

Essentially served what was then known as a "B" Ration (mostly canned goods, with some fresh produce added), the equipment is mostly owned by the D-Day organization, but volunteers are the ones who do all the cooking. 

My section was told off to assist in cleaning for Saturday, after dinner, but before the landing. Scrubbing pots and pans brought back memories of being a 17 year old Private... but being able to help out these gentlemen was worth it. They spend the entire event either cooking or cleaning up. A great example of giving back to the hobby. 

And then the thunderstorm hit...Tabernac! 

While Ike would have said "Go!" in history, thunder and lightning are a real safety hazard for recreating a beach assault, so after a half hour or so, the organizers called it and we just had to stand by until the storm passed. 

"I went to D-Day Ohio and all I got was this (wet) t-shirt" 

As soon as the storm abated, about 90 minutes or so later, Rich and I started to pack up. There was no point, really, in staying, even though the insides of our tents were dry. There were more storms enroute and neither of us looked forward to packing up during a rainstorm on Sunday morning. 

All in all, it was bonkers fun, incredibly exhausting, and a great way to spend time with like-minded enthusiasts. Sharing a love for history, remembering those who stormed the beaches 80 years ago, keeping history alive for the next generation to learn. 

Can't wait to do it again next year. "See you on the beach!" 

"More Lasting Than Bronze"