Der Gemsenjäger

Frontblatt der 5. Gebirgsjäger division    2. /GJR 100

F.P.Nr.24971c                                                                              5 August, 2006

Kameraden,

Wie gehts! Hope everyone is staying cool this hot summer. This is why we try not to schedule any events for the month of August. Just to hot! The last two air shows were a big success and I’ve received some fantastic feedback about our displays at both MAPS and Lost Nation air shows. Ted Mathies the head of the Marlboro Volunteers and I had a long talk a few days ago and he considers our unit his A-team. The best unit he knows. What a great compliment, makes all the hard work worthwhile. He also told me that for the first time the Map’s people really took notice and had great things to say about the re-enactor displays especially that one large German display.  Ted told me that the Map’s people received many positive comments and letters about the displays and now they consider us an important part of their show. This could mean that Map’s will allow the expansion of the re-enactor displays, which could be good, or bad news. I talked to Ted about not just letting anyone put up a display and keeping the authenticity standards high and he agreed and wants our input.

The Marlboro Volunteers has purchased an old airfield (Taylorcraft field)

near Alliance and is going to have a permanent place to have displays and public battles the first one being Sept. 23-24. See enclosed flyer. This will hopefully turn into a great asset for our unit because Ted tells me that we will be able to make permanent emplacements there and use the place for training or battles. Soon we will get together with Ted and check this place out and see what we might want to do. So be prepared to possibly have a day or two of work parties to prepare our site. We are planning to have some type of public battle Sept. 23-24 and an encampment like we use to do at Medina, so I’m hoping most everyone will participate.

George and I have been working on the Gewehr-granaten (rifle-grenade) project and I’m happy to say that they work very well and are very cheap to produce, less then a buck apiece. But they do take some effort to make them. 

Thanks George you’re a genius. I’m still looking for someone to be our rifle grenadier, any takers? You’ll have to do some training on firing these babies.

At the Map’s air show we had one of our best and largest displays yet even though only four of us showed for the weekend. Boy were our trucks and van packed to the brim. We even had a visit from an old friend we hadn’t seen in a while, none other then our unit CO Feldwebel Phil! Phil spent part of the day with us and we hope to see more of him in the future. The weekend was very warm but we had a lot of fun.

The Lost Nation air show was the best time I personally have ever had at a display! We just had a lot of fun and meet a lot of interesting people. The most memorable moment for me was when Jeff and I Sun. went to get a bite to eat and was stopped at the WWII Veterans tent by one of the veteran bomber pilots. After joking around for a minute we were surrounded by several veteran pilots who wanted to have their pictures taken with us. WOW! Here are these WWII vets that bombed the crap out of the Germans and they wanted their pictures taken with German re-enactors. That was just so cool. Come to find out two of the bomber pilots saw action in the Italian theater the same time our unit was there. Jeff and I could have stayed with them for quit some time but we had to get back and help out at the display. I would have loved to hear all their stories. Again there were only four of us there but our display was as big as Map’s. I would like to thank George, Jeff and Pete for making these two air shows a big success, you guys are the greatest!

We have decided not to do the Cod or Conneaut this year because they both land in the same month (Sept.) as the Stow/Kent air show and the Taylorcraft field event. Three or four events in the same month are way too much. Stow/Kent last year was a good event with large crowds and good for recruiting. Also I have found out there will not be a fall battle this year at Torrance Pa. Bummer! We’ll have to wait till next April. By the looks of things we may have a busy fall and tactical season is right around the corner so be sure to get your gear readied and your blanks ordered.

If anyone is interested many of us will be attending the German Club Oktoberfeast, which is August 19^th.  Lots of fun! For directions and time call George or I.

Here are the dates for upcoming events.

September 10 – Stow/Kent air show

September 23-24 – Taylorcraft field – encampment and public battle. NEW!

Oktober 15 – Rock Creek – possible tactical just east of Cleveland. NEW!

November 3-4 - Camden

I’m sure there will be more tacticals added in Oktober and November like Bear Creek and Camp Tuscazore. Also if we get any new recruits we will have at least one training camp possibly at Taylorcraft field.

Wiedersehen!

HURRA DIE GAMS!

Reickert, Oberjäger und Gruppenführer

2./GJR 100