First event.

Hi Guys,

For the first event, most of you i've spoken to say it would probably be best for us to hit hard with a Dragoon impression. Kit all over the place (But in an Authentic way ), camouflage, and unauthorized kit.

Been reading the 517th History to try and get a better idea of squad structures. Basically, they only had 2 squads per platoon as opposed to 3 up until November when they finally received enough replacements to give each company an extra squad per platoon, increasing the Regiments size dramatically just in time for the Battle Of The Bulge, men they would need and lose.

The standard squad structure within the 517th was:
Squad Leader (Sgt usually carrying Thompson SMG)
Assistant squad Leader (Cpl carrying M1)
3 Man MG crew. (All Technicians, 1 Tech Sgt and 2 Tech Cpls. All Carrying Carbines.)
7 Rifleman (Carrying M1 Rifles).

The 2nd squad of the 2nd Platoon was a Mortar squad, consisting of 3 60mm Mortars.

2 Per Platoon, 3 platoons per Company. The HQ Company of each Battalion had an 81mm Mortar Platoon, consisting of 6 Mortars, and a MG Platoon consisting of 12 MGs, 6 of which would be BARs.

For the first event we should aim to do a standard Rifle Squad of 12 men. Weapons wise it is easy to achieve. Any comments?

Regards, Bez

Hey Bez,

sounds like a sound plan to me mate. Sounds quite achievable.

However, like a complete tit...I sold my M1. However, shall try and rectify that in the upcoming months!

All the best and attack!

Phil.

HI Pip good to see you on here mate.

Don't worry I also sold my M1 but that will be rectified by October/November time hopefully.

For the time being I shall be carrying my M3, plenty of troopers did carry them for Dragoon but I need to go over the photos in De Trez's book to get it spot on.

Hi guys...
Are we planning to source some 42's on mass to camo, or would it be easyer to buy on a single bases?

Darren

Hi Guys,

Great to see we're getting some posts up! Uniforms can be bought on a singular basis, but only from certain locations. However due to ATF being absolute bar stewards with import tax, it might be worth asking around before ordering, because if and when possible we should kill two (or more) birds with one stone and ease the sting of import tax.

Bez

Cpl Bez wrote:Hi Guys,

Great to see we're getting some posts up! Uniforms can be bought on a singular basis, but only from certain locations. However due to ATF being absolute bar stewards with import tax, it might be worth asking around before ordering, because if and when possible we should kill two (or more) birds with one stone and ease the sting of import tax.

Bez

Bez I can't agree more, ATF are the best to buy form as the M42's are soooooo good!

If we can get a list of guys together who want one then we can do a group purchase.

John I presume you are going to spray up teh one you have or are you still wearing that M43?

I need one either way

Sam

I'd be up for the group order thing too.

Pip

Thought you already had a Camo'd ATF M42 pip? The one you were wearing in those photos you sent looked pretty decent.

Bez

They're unreenforced ones from MPP (Sturm therefore?), so I assume different to the ATF one (US produced ones?)

I have to admit that M42's aren't my strongpoint of knowledge

You got any photos of it that you can post up?

Bez

From your photo there Pip I would say they are the MPP type due ot the shade of the material. ATF being slightly lighter.

Sam,, yes Im going ot spray my M42's up when I get the chance, just because M42's were more common place during Dragoon. Although it is nice ot have the option of M43's aswell.

Bez did you mention you might have a contact in the States so we don't have to pay import tax?

We also need to order our arm flags from that chap in the FAAA.

Yeah i do have a potential contact in the states, all depends on weather or not he's happy to do it. He does it for CCTV Cameras and stuff for us so i don't see why not.

Bez

Ill be in on the 42's asway. The guy from the FAAA is Neil Galloway, he puts his stuff on ebay... that could be the best way to get hold of him, maybe again order on mass to get some pennys off?

Darren

Yea, they're the MPP type. Personally I'm not too fond of the green paint on mine. So more than happy to get another set from ATF along with you guys.



Was a bit of a trial run

Hi, does any one have a Kit list for the Dragoon... just would like to find out if there are any bits of kit i may need, maybe a T5

Darren

On Person

Clothing :
Helmet complete with camouflage net
Jump suit or combat suit (camouflage)
Jump boots or combat boots
Socks, light wool
Underwear, cotton
Brassard
Identification tags

Equipment:
Individual arm and container
Prescribed ammunition for above
Canteen, complete
Belt, pistol or rifle
Suspenders
Trench Knife
First Aid packet and pouch
Compass
3 grenades (1 WP, 2 Frag)in canteen cover
Notebook and pencil
Entrenching tool
Matches
Gas mask training
Parachute, T-5 complete
Musette bag containing:
Necessary toilet articles
Towel
Insect repellant.
Raincoat, light
1 cover, protective
1 K-ration(3 units)
1 D-ration
1 roll tape 1"
1 spoon
2 pairs socks
1 pair extra laces
1 pairunderwear
1 Undershirt, wool
1 handkerchief
Halizone & Atabrine tablets
Toilet tissue.
The following items will be packed in barrack bags:
2 pair cotton drawers
2 cotton undershirts
*1 camouflaged suit
1 fatigue uniform (HBT or combat)
1 cap, garrison, OD
2 handkerchiefs
3 pair socks, wool
*2 blankets
1 towel, bath
1 pair jump boots
1 pair gloves
1 shelter half W/Poles aid pins
1 bar, insect, field
1 can, meat, w/knife and fork

*NOTE: (1) One of the above blankets will be turned over to S-4 at dis-
persion fields to be brought in by air on D plus 1 day.

TOP SECRET

The above is taken from FATF, M. DeTrez