|
Post by trooperbleed on Nov 10, 2014 9:44:39 GMT -8
1st. Sergeant Duggan, thank you for the welcoming words. the unit's authenticity requirements should be fine as I try to be as correct as i can in all my representations. I will need to obtain the 43s as I currently have M41s, rigger reinforced M42s and HBTs. Also, my research has indicated the the 82nd was issued the BAR until the late 50s when it was replaced with the M14 and later the M60. My last event, I spoke to a trooper of the 82nd who served through the 50s and in Vietnam who carried the BAR. He loved it and the M14 but his opinion declined sharply when he mention the M16. I am sure the firepower will be welcome. It is good to know that the unit has harmony and that i will be welcome. the 82nd CHG is highly regarded by the guys in the 82nd LHA who have fought in the same engagements. I look forward to meeting you guys. Again, thank you for the welcome.
James "Bleed" Reed
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 10, 2014 10:17:26 GMT -8
The 82nd 505th was in Sicily and Italy prior to D-Day. The only Airborne units that jumped into Normandy with BARS were Glider units. You did not see them with Airborne Paratrooper units until Market Garden and beyond. They are fine weapons and they should have had them in Sicily and Italy, and Normandy, but they didn't. It's unauthorized to use one in our unit before Holland.
|
|
|
Post by trooperbleed on Nov 10, 2014 11:36:28 GMT -8
1st. Sergeant, Thank you for the information. The BAR was standard issue and it seems odd that it was not carried with the Airborne prior to Market Garden as the suppressive firepower would have been much needed for both offensive and defensive conditions. I look forward to joining ranks. Bleed
|
|
|
Post by trooperbleed on Nov 10, 2014 12:22:51 GMT -8
1st. Sergeant Duggan, I appreciate the information on the BAR usage. It is by questions and feedback where I begin to realize how little i actually know an forces me to learn more. I realize I am just an FNG, but I believe there is some evidence that the 505th may have jumped into Normandy with some BARs. this was obtained from the debriefing report from the invasion (assuming the internet link I found it on is not complete bunk). I have attached the link for your evaluation (a very informative document). www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/en_page.php?page=debriefingBasically, Col. Ekman, commanding the 505th, stated "I think it is better to use BAR's in leg packs in place of machine guns during the actual drop. You can move out with BAR's in place of machine guns and come back later for the guns which would be dropped in bundles. "A" Company was delayed in moving out as they couldn't find their bundles immediately. The weapons section we had contained machine guns in the squad, we jumped with some BAR'S, but would like to replace the machine guns with BAR'S, because looking for the machine guns holds us back at first." (emphasis added by J.Reed). From what I understand is that the weapons section (of A Company at least) was equipped with both .30 browning MGs and some supporting BARs. I realize that this is hardly sufficient to say the parachute infantry used as many of the weapons as in later engagements but is seems they did use some and wanted a lot more. Do you think this is sufficient to justify carrying one for the 82nd CHG Northern European engagements? your advise is appreciated. Bleed
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 10, 2014 12:50:16 GMT -8
With this info, "we jumped with some BAR'S" It would be ok to use a BAR for a Normandy event. Believe me, I want to be justified to use them everywhere. I love BAR's. I just don't want to be inaccurate. We are Baker Company. But if Able Company had a few, I would bet that other companies had a couple too. No one else in our unit has a BAR, so there is no problem with you being the BAR Gunner. If we have an Italy or Sicily event, then use another rifle. That being said, a vast majority of events are D-Day and beyond. The authenticity NCO chimed in. NO BAR pre-Holland.
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 10, 2014 12:54:06 GMT -8
Also, I don't think it was great decision to not equip every rifle squad with at least two BAR's from the first jump in Sicily until the end of the war. I know they were concerned with the weight, but it's only 8.5lbs heavier than a Garand. The extra ammo weight could be dropped in bundles. That is my opinion, but it's not worth much, because we are replicating history here.
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 10, 2014 12:55:21 GMT -8
If I was a 1st Sergeant back then I would have stolen a crate of BAR's and equip every squad with one or two.
|
|
|
Post by trooperbleed on Nov 10, 2014 13:06:53 GMT -8
1st. Sergeant, I completely agree. the BAR is not as heavy or cumbersome as everyone thinks if you remove the bipod. For offensive operations, this was the norm. According to the debriefing i posted (again, very informative), even the brass thought many more BARs were required, which explains why they were more common after Holland.
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 10, 2014 13:18:47 GMT -8
The BAR gets lighter every time you pick someone off at 800 to 1000 yards with a 2 round burst.
|
|
|
Post by trooperbleed on Nov 10, 2014 14:03:36 GMT -8
LOL. Amen to that.
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 12, 2014 14:13:09 GMT -8
If you send me, or post your uniform sizes James, I can see if we have loaners in your size so you would not have to run out immediately to get another uniform.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 19:26:37 GMT -8
You've brought some great info to us, but keep in mind we portray what was common at the time/campaign of each event, so you're BAR would only be appropriate for late war scenarios as far as reenacting goes. We also have to answer to the club admin on authenticity, so we don't want to push the issue. Although I agree the BAR would have been nice earlier on, the 1919 was most common. The instances of use prior to Market Garden may have existed,but we try to avoid less common as the group as a whole does not receive this well. Just letting you know the reason why, not bagging on you for asking or presenting facts, we encourage this.
|
|
|
Post by trooperbleed on Nov 13, 2014 7:30:13 GMT -8
Sgt. Cline, Thank you for your reply. I am asking because I do not wish to violate any rules or ruffle any feathers. Perhaps I could petition the club admin on this in the future as the debriefing does imply the 505th of the 82nd did have at least a few BARs for Neptune. I think, judging from the debriefing, that they were obviously known and used by the Airborne to some degree because they knew exactly how to use them tactically. I would think this knowledge could only come from training and experience with a common weapon system.
Until then, the 82nd NCOs will be the deciding factor for what i will carry. I agree it would be awkward and historically inaccurate to have an entire squad with the BAR or even at the same proportions as regular infantry but a limited supply would be common.
If acceptable, I could slip some leggings on, wear the M41s and be Private Bleed, 325th GIR, close cousin to Trooper Bleed, 505th PIR.
thank you all for the replies and welcome.
James reed
|
|
|
Post by Opie74 on Nov 13, 2014 8:39:41 GMT -8
James Welcome and as a reformed BAR gunner. There but for the grace of god go I
this is a great group of guys we have alot of fun and do a lot of work in the field
I'll see you in formation
|
|
Mayo
Administrator
Posts: 1,545
|
Post by Mayo on Nov 13, 2014 11:33:59 GMT -8
Just pick up a Garand for Italy, Sicily, and Normandy events pard. 75% of our battles are Market Garden and beyond anyway, so most of the time you would be able to use the BAR. Dwight has the final word on it as he is the unit authenticity NCO.
|
|