Post by Rapture on Jun 27, 2012 18:34:53 GMT -5
The World War II Western Front Airsoft Association Presents
The Battle of the Falaise Pocket
The Corridor of death
When: Saturday August 25, 2012
Where :Ground Zero Airsoft USA
Field Address:235 Wolcott Street, Terryville, CT
Store Address:1254 Wolcott Rd. Wolcott, Ct 06716
Where :Ground Zero Airsoft USA
Field Address:235 Wolcott Street, Terryville, CT
Store Address:1254 Wolcott Rd. Wolcott, Ct 06716
Historical Background:
The battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12–21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy. Taking its name from the pocket around the town of Falaise within which Army Group B, consisting of the German Seventh and Fifth Panzer Armies became encircled by the advancing Western Allies, the battle is also referred to as the Falaise Gap after the corridor which the Germans sought to maintain to allow their escape.[nb 5] The battle resulted in the destruction of the bulk of Germany's forces west of the River Seine and opened the way to Paris and the German border.
Following Operation Cobra, the American breakout from the Normandy beachhead, rapid advances were made to the south and south-east by General George Patton's Third Army. Despite lacking the resources to cope with both the U.S. penetration and simultaneous British and Canadian offensives south of Caen, Field Marshal Günther von Kluge—in overall command of Army Group B on the Western Front—was not permitted by Adolf Hitler to withdraw; instead, he was ordered to counterattack the Americans around Mortain. The remnants of four panzer divisions—which was all that von Kluge could scrape together—were not strong enough to make any impression on the U.S. First Army, and Operation Lüttich was a disaster that merely served to drive the Germans deeper into the Allied lines, leaving them in a highly dangerous position.
Seizing the opportunity to envelop von Kluge's entire force, on 8 August the Allied ground forces commander General Bernard Montgomery ordered his armies to converge on the Falaise-Chambois area. With the U.S. First Army forming the southern arm, the British Second Army the base, and the Canadian First Army the northern arm of the encirclement, the Germans fought hard to keep an escape route open, although their withdrawal did not begin until 17 August. On 19 August, the Allies linked up in Chambois but in insufficient strength to seal the pocket. Gaps were forced in the Allied lines by desperate German assaults, the most significant and hard-fought being a corridor past elements of the Polish 1st Armoured Division, who had established a commanding position in the mouth of the pocket.
By the evening of 21 August, the pocket was closed for the last time, with around 50,000 Germans trapped inside. Although it is estimated that significant numbers managed to escape, German losses in both men and materiel were huge, and the Allies had achieved a decisive victory. Two days later Paris was liberated, and by 30 August the last German remnants had retreated across the Seine, effectively ending Operation Overlord.
The battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12–21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy. Taking its name from the pocket around the town of Falaise within which Army Group B, consisting of the German Seventh and Fifth Panzer Armies became encircled by the advancing Western Allies, the battle is also referred to as the Falaise Gap after the corridor which the Germans sought to maintain to allow their escape.[nb 5] The battle resulted in the destruction of the bulk of Germany's forces west of the River Seine and opened the way to Paris and the German border.
Following Operation Cobra, the American breakout from the Normandy beachhead, rapid advances were made to the south and south-east by General George Patton's Third Army. Despite lacking the resources to cope with both the U.S. penetration and simultaneous British and Canadian offensives south of Caen, Field Marshal Günther von Kluge—in overall command of Army Group B on the Western Front—was not permitted by Adolf Hitler to withdraw; instead, he was ordered to counterattack the Americans around Mortain. The remnants of four panzer divisions—which was all that von Kluge could scrape together—were not strong enough to make any impression on the U.S. First Army, and Operation Lüttich was a disaster that merely served to drive the Germans deeper into the Allied lines, leaving them in a highly dangerous position.
Seizing the opportunity to envelop von Kluge's entire force, on 8 August the Allied ground forces commander General Bernard Montgomery ordered his armies to converge on the Falaise-Chambois area. With the U.S. First Army forming the southern arm, the British Second Army the base, and the Canadian First Army the northern arm of the encirclement, the Germans fought hard to keep an escape route open, although their withdrawal did not begin until 17 August. On 19 August, the Allies linked up in Chambois but in insufficient strength to seal the pocket. Gaps were forced in the Allied lines by desperate German assaults, the most significant and hard-fought being a corridor past elements of the Polish 1st Armoured Division, who had established a commanding position in the mouth of the pocket.
By the evening of 21 August, the pocket was closed for the last time, with around 50,000 Germans trapped inside. Although it is estimated that significant numbers managed to escape, German losses in both men and materiel were huge, and the Allies had achieved a decisive victory. Two days later Paris was liberated, and by 30 August the last German remnants had retreated across the Seine, effectively ending Operation Overlord.
Registration
This event will again be offering the option to prepay at a much discounted price for certain periods of time. The payment guide is as follows:
Prepay by August 1st for $30 dollars
Prepay before August 24th for $40 dollars
Pay at the field for $45 dollars.
Note! This event is not the makeup for the Day of Days event! That event will be hosted by Migs later this year.
All Prepayments must be sent via paypal as a gift to Bpalls89@gmail.com with the following information
Name:
Unit Impression and rank:
Address:
DOB/Age:
Weapon:
Email address:
Prepay by August 1st for $30 dollars
Prepay before August 24th for $40 dollars
Pay at the field for $45 dollars.
Note! This event is not the makeup for the Day of Days event! That event will be hosted by Migs later this year.
All Prepayments must be sent via paypal as a gift to Bpalls89@gmail.com with the following information
Name:
Unit Impression and rank:
Address:
DOB/Age:
Weapon:
Email address:
Authenticity Guidelines:
We will be taking authenticity very seriously at this event and those without proper uniforms will be turned away from the event.
Allied Impressions:
All US, British, and French impressions are allowed at this event
Headgear- M1 helmet with fixed d-bale ,with paratrooper liner and correct chinstrap. Helmets were covered with nets or were just plain.
Uniform-M42 Jump uniform or M43 Uniform. Infantry M1941 Jacket with HBT Trousers in OD.
A WHITE tee shirt was usually worn underneath,along with the issued service shirt.
Footwear- BROWN repro Corcoran jump boots or M43 buckle boots. NO modern Army tan or suede boots. No French post War buckle boots. They are even wrong for regular infantry.
Webgear- Original or repro khaki web belt or cartridge belt depending on your weapon.
Original or repo M36 KHAKI suspenders WITH felt strap pads. These can be found at WPG or on Ebay.
M1910 Canteen and Canteen pouch.
First aid pouch. A lot of paratroopers also wore a first aid pouch attached to their helmet net containing a tourniquet, first aid dressing and a morphine syrette.
Origianl or Repo Musette Bag. OD or Khaki. Worn by ALL paratroopers. Containing extra socks, K-rations, Ammo, raincoat, and other personal items.
Holster, or shoulder holster for M1911. Holster must be BROWN leather. Black wasn't used till the 1950's or later.
French Resistance forces will also be allowed as long as they have proper civilian attire. A mix of allied and axis weapons may also be used.
Accepted Weapons for U.S. Forces:
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
BAR
M1a1 Thompson SMG
Browning .30cal MG
M3 Grease gun
Colt M1911 Pistol
We will be taking authenticity very seriously at this event and those without proper uniforms will be turned away from the event.
Allied Impressions:
All US, British, and French impressions are allowed at this event
Headgear- M1 helmet with fixed d-bale ,with paratrooper liner and correct chinstrap. Helmets were covered with nets or were just plain.
Uniform-M42 Jump uniform or M43 Uniform. Infantry M1941 Jacket with HBT Trousers in OD.
A WHITE tee shirt was usually worn underneath,along with the issued service shirt.
Footwear- BROWN repro Corcoran jump boots or M43 buckle boots. NO modern Army tan or suede boots. No French post War buckle boots. They are even wrong for regular infantry.
Webgear- Original or repro khaki web belt or cartridge belt depending on your weapon.
Original or repo M36 KHAKI suspenders WITH felt strap pads. These can be found at WPG or on Ebay.
M1910 Canteen and Canteen pouch.
First aid pouch. A lot of paratroopers also wore a first aid pouch attached to their helmet net containing a tourniquet, first aid dressing and a morphine syrette.
Origianl or Repo Musette Bag. OD or Khaki. Worn by ALL paratroopers. Containing extra socks, K-rations, Ammo, raincoat, and other personal items.
Holster, or shoulder holster for M1911. Holster must be BROWN leather. Black wasn't used till the 1950's or later.
French Resistance forces will also be allowed as long as they have proper civilian attire. A mix of allied and axis weapons may also be used.
Accepted Weapons for U.S. Forces:
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
BAR
M1a1 Thompson SMG
Browning .30cal MG
M3 Grease gun
Colt M1911 Pistol
German Impressions:
All Heer, Waffen SS, and LW impressions are allowed at this event.
Headgear: M40, M42 or LW jump helmets; no decals or one decal only. M35 if no other helmet available. M38, M42 or M43 feldmutze
Uniform: Wool M43 or Fliegerbluse preferred; M40 and M42 secondary choices. M36 and m44 tunics are acceptable if no other options available; would prefer M36's tunics to be worn by NCO's. Wool or HBT Keilhosen preferred; straight leg trousers acceptable.
Boots: Ankle boots with Gamaschen, jump boots or march/jack boots. Modern black leather boots with gaitors will be accepted if there is absolutely no other alternative.
Gear: either all leather, all web, or a mix of leather and web; combat gear includes ammo pouches, y-straps, breadbag, canteen w/ cup, mess tin, entrenching tool, bayonet and frog, gasmask container and Zeltbahn (optional)
Accepted Weapons for German Forces:
K98
MP-38 or 40
FG42
STG44
MG-34
MG-42
All Heer, Waffen SS, and LW impressions are allowed at this event.
Headgear: M40, M42 or LW jump helmets; no decals or one decal only. M35 if no other helmet available. M38, M42 or M43 feldmutze
Uniform: Wool M43 or Fliegerbluse preferred; M40 and M42 secondary choices. M36 and m44 tunics are acceptable if no other options available; would prefer M36's tunics to be worn by NCO's. Wool or HBT Keilhosen preferred; straight leg trousers acceptable.
Boots: Ankle boots with Gamaschen, jump boots or march/jack boots. Modern black leather boots with gaitors will be accepted if there is absolutely no other alternative.
Gear: either all leather, all web, or a mix of leather and web; combat gear includes ammo pouches, y-straps, breadbag, canteen w/ cup, mess tin, entrenching tool, bayonet and frog, gasmask container and Zeltbahn (optional)
Accepted Weapons for German Forces:
K98
MP-38 or 40
FG42
STG44
MG-34
MG-42