Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

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Crazy Feldgendarme
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Crazy Feldgendarme »

Great pics and info Bill, i remember Saunton Sands well we used to do beach landing exercises there not to mention water skiing and diving usually barracked at Chivener camp. Actually we did our pre NI training in the area in the ealy 70s. We had an invite to a do with the local bobbies in Barnstaple one evening which ended up as a mass scrap, great fun (untill next morning that is) several woke up in the bloody cells !!!!!.
May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of the person who screws up your day and may their arms be too short to scratch.

GeFoPo
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

The story continues with 1983

Today I would like to add what is perhaps the only existing copy of "UGLY BUSINESS".
It was a local newsletter for BRA Germans in the South Coast Section of the 916th Regiment.
I had considered the newsletter to be lost, but re-discovered it today going through some old folders.


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cheers, Bill.
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SS BARKMAN
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by SS BARKMAN »

Hi Bill
I was a member of the BRA and remember doing a battle at the first British Truck Grand Prix at Brands Hatch with Otto, Bob Whittacker, Fitos, Keppler, Mike Passmore etc. I remember going on a live firing day with the group with all live ammo. Also remember Island Farm?? in Wales does anyone still go there??

Thought the pictures were great!!

Simon
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

SS BARKMAN wrote:Hi Bill
I was a member of the BRA and remember doing a battle at the first British Truck Grand Prix at Brands Hatch with Otto, Bob Whittacker, Fitos, Keppler, Mike Passmore etc. I remember going on a live firing day with the group with all live ammo. Also remember Island Farm?? in Wales does anyone still go there??

Thought the pictures were great!!

Simon
Thanks Simon, lots more pics to follow soon.
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

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Wolfi Dickinson and Martin Medland (WW2 BRA Cornwall Grouping)


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Bill Medland at a private BRA event at Gullworthy Mine


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Bob Whittaker, Fred Walker and John Oxlade in 1983


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Paul Stelb and Bob Whittaker at a BRA filming event


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1983 The new WW2 BRA Logo comes into use, this is perhaps the only unused BRA car bumper sticker that exists today?

More to follow.....cheers, Bill.
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

1983 BRA NEWSLETTER

(From January 1983 the "BRA BULLETIN" had been re-named to the "BRA NEWSLETTER")


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One of the many private events, most were in Wales.


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Ameicans bringing in Wehrmacht prisoners at a public show.

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After having lost their own flags, the Americans went out and captured one of ours (in the middle is Phil Plane).

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Brit Paras capturing the tea shop, we would often involve the local villagers at private events,
something that both they and us would remember.
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

More from the BRA Newsletter (1983)


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Even back then we had time for the veterans, here a former Colditz POW.


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French reenactors joined us for an event, between the two French officers you can see Dave Bennett,
behind the shoulders of the left officer you can see Tony Dudman and myself (turning away from the camera).


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The late Dave Bennett and Tony Dudman, the German caption says it all and much more!


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Another one of our private events in Wales.
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

More from the BRA Newsletter (1983)


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Andy Barter wearing a Swedish tunic, we must have worn out hundreds of them!


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John Oxlade and Fred Walker returning from TESCOs during a break in an event

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Two Americans in September 1983
Last edited by Bill Medland on Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

BRA German medals and awards qualifications 1978~1983

War veterans could wear their original medals and awards..... this really only meant Fred Walker,
the rest of us had to follow the qualification rules laid down by WW2BRA (Sturmgruppe Adler):

Infantry Assault Badge Attend three private battles.

Ostfront Medal Attend a three day winter private event.

Long Service Ribbon Awarded to former/or serving members of the armed forces.

Anti-partisan Badge Awarded to holders of a CSM/GSM in the armed forces.

Wound Badge in Black Given to anyone who, injured at an event, who need medical treatment.

Iron Cross 2nd class Awarded only twice (both times in 1983).

Iron Cross 1st class Awarded only once (1983).

After 1985 new awards entered the list, Long Service ribbons were given out to reenactors
who had been in the hobby at least 4 years, then came the Close Combat Clasp etc.


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During a platoon sized night patrol at a private event, two of us managed to slip past the American patrols and we found
ourselves by chance in the American camp. The guards had moved over to the fire for a chat and we had to get back to
our own lines. We were cut off and the other Germans had already retired back to their own camp. So I said "lets get a flag
each", which is what we did and then we ran for it! Shots and angry shouts following us!


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The captured flags, I am front left. (although reenacting mostly Wehrmacht, I spent the summer 1983 with the Fallschirmjäger).


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August 1983 saw the very first award of the Iron Cross 1st class. It was a total surprise when Mike Passmore and
Fred Walker called me out during a parade back in August 1983. my brother knew about it because he made an EK I
from an EK II, by welding a screw thread on the reverse side. A bit battered and scrached now, but the first one
awarded in UK reenactment, now that has to be special. Awarded for "Accumulated actions over five years".


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The Christmas get together, the time to swing the lantern and bring out the laughs and mishaps of the previous year.

Cheers, Bill.
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

The 1983 BRA Newsletter

Only a fragment I am afraid, as there is only 3 pages still remaining.

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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

The BRA in Normandy 1984


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Is that really Mike Passmore and Tony Dudman in American uniform! Yes it really is!


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Only Allied uniforms were allowed in Normandy 1984, so it was sadly leave that field grey at home.


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BRA Swedish member Mikael Sundberg on Omaha Beach, June 1984.


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Otto gets everywhere, who is that with him, Julian Money or Mike Passmore?
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

More from 1984

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Otto and Julian, October 1984


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Here are a couple of newsletter jokes to make you smile, until I post again on this thread.


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Cheers, Bill ............1984 will be continued later
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Chorlitz|12.SS|
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Chorlitz|12.SS| »

Thanks once again Bill, <3 Otto with the Binos
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Pete Skillman
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Pete Skillman »

Willi Klapptisch wrote:More from the BRA Newsletter (1983)


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John Oxlade wearing a Swedish tunic, we must have worn out hundreds of them!
Hi Wili, Great Memories, thanks, that is Andy Barter above, still reenacting, does falbones along with Danny Sharpe who you might remember?

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John Oxlade and Fred Walker returning from TESCOs during a break in an event

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Two Americans in September 1983
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Bill Medland
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Re: Photos of the first ten years 1978-1988

Post by Bill Medland »

oops, thank Pete, I sometimes mix the names up, thanks for putting me right, name changed :wink:
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