2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 8, 2015 11:47:55 GMT -5
This event is going on this weekend. (Sat and Sunday with Friday sign in) weekend of 10 July at GZA in Wolcott CT. details can be found at Vietnam-Airsoft.com in I Corp section. I realize I am in CT this coming week for work so I am going to be there Saturday Night thru Sunday. Anyone else going?
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 10, 2015 20:51:17 GMT -5
I will be there and supporting the VC/ NVA group
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 12, 2015 11:56:05 GMT -5
So Liberty Canyon is just now wrapping up at GZA in Conneticutt. The Turn out and impressions were quite good with 15 VC / NVA and perhaps double that number of US regular GIs, a Mike Force in Tiger Stripes and Mitchell Cover Helmets and a small LRRP Element. Ground Zero who has supported Historical Airsoft events in the past provided exclusive use of the site Thursday thru 10 AM Sunday.
The primary sponsors were SONIC and DIEZ who spent Thursday preparing the site. The old HMSG organization still had plenty of props on hand to ably support the event but truth be told the few staff folks on hand put in overtime getting things ready. they had tentage, spare uniforms, gear, weapons and great props on hand and on site when the participants started arriving late afternoon on Friday. They had a couple GP medium tents up as well as three GP smalls with camo netting and camo parachutes to give the structures on site a proper period operational base look. They had a number of PRC 77 radios, flares and pea grenades. Diez also broughts lots of sandbags which in spite of the heat (over 90 degrees) the participants set about arranging in defensive positions. By mid day Saturday the camp looked pretty impressive although the flat location with thick woods around and a high ridge meant no matter what was arranged it was an impossible defensive position. The officers trailer in OD with air conditioning was looked upon with desire and contempt just as they were back in the day. in the center of camp was a well done mock destroyed helicopter and HMSGs deuce and a half which added to the ambiance.
Participants are what added the cool touches with ammo boxes, widely varied period weaponry and for the most part well thought out impressions. I saw several M60 machine guns including one modified into a SOG Razorback with a shortened barrel and the butt stock eliminated. In addition there was a beautifully done 81 MM mortar, a few M79s. The Bad guys looked ominous in the motley assortment of tan to reed green uniforms which were nicely set off with camo parachute capes, lots of attached camouflage and a variety of pith helmets and light green boonie hats. They were ably lead by Mercy from Louisianna and Kevin her PNCOIC. I saw several familiar faces from past Liberty Canyon events.
Saturday the US forces spent humping the bush in search of the NVA camp and in the inetense heat it was challenging and probably more than a little frustrating. Mercy had hidden her camp well hidden and was able to deploy individual cells to engage the US forces and lure them away from her camp. There were a number of twisted ankles and sprains and the bugs had their fill of both US and NVA troops.
Saturday evening both sides rallied at the camp for chow and immediately following chow I was asked to give a briefing on NVA uniforms and equipment. For history buffs it was all familiar information but seemed to go over well and for several was informative.
As dusk fell an omminous sense enveloped the camp as the VC and NVA left camp to prepare for operations. As was all too often the case the night belonged to MR Charles as the darkness and poor defensive positions fell victim to an aggressive and cunning foe. A downed pilot rescue mission is always a tough operation to execute in enemy held territory and especially challenging at night. Defending a base camp at the end of a long couple of days is always difficult especially when the perimiter is pourous and well known by the enemy. The ability to rest and decide just when to strike the NVA had a significant advantage over an exhausted and non cohesive force. There was exciting action experienced by both sides and hopefully an appreciation for the challenges faced by combatants in that conflict
Mercy of Black Company had produced an excellent handbook with historically accurate tips and tactics for guerilla fighting, phrases and signals and commands and the proper comunist propaganda tone to create an appropriate mindset amongst her troops. This booklet was nicely produced and obviously had a lot of time put into it. Truthfully she should make available for sale as its as good a short resource as I have ever seen and would be a worthwhile acquisition for anyone nterested in the Vietnam experience. The suggestions were put to great use by her minions and the effort was rewarded by results.
Hopefully the Liberty Canyon tradition will continue and grow and everyone had as good a time as I did during my brief visit to the event. hats off to Diez and Sonic for having the balls and generosity of spirit to take it on. Too few people have the ability means or desire to take such things on and they are all to be commended. Hopefully a WW2 operation will be pulled off of this magnitude in the NE.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 12, 2015 20:12:17 GMT -5
Definitely need to make this next year, then.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 13, 2015 21:12:04 GMT -5
Pics from 2ndBat!
The NVA Commander and NCOIC. (mercy actual on these boards) A nicely done 81mm mortar in a full on mortar pit with aiming stakes and ammo boxes. Part of the fairly extensive bunker line. a beautifully modified M60 done up as a SOG style "razorback" and an M79 "thumper" Part of the Mike force with 2nd Bat If you could post these that would be awesome.
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