Rhine Evacuation

You don't see something like this everyday. I was looking around on a website called etsy.com (girly site with lots of vintage and handmade stuff) and came across a grouping of photos for sale which I can only guess were taken by a Glider Pilot. They included several photos of CG4A's and AAF personnel. The most interesting photo is one of a bunch of guys loading up in a truck, which is being taken back over the Rhine, presumable after Varsity as the caption states. Judging by the caption and the gear I'm guessing these are a group of GP's being taken back to the rear after making their landings.



First aid packet on helmet, lots of carbine and .45 ammo pouches, .45 holster, a Thompson barrel, M43's...if I didn't know any better I'd say GP's for sure.

The Frenchy and The Wop

Sylvan Lucier (L) and Tony Collacino (R).

God bless those damned Glider Pilots!

Kodachrome

So, my mom went to visit my Aunt in Virginny and gave her a box of stuff to take to me. To my surprise, it was one of my Grandpa's 4-pocket tunics and whole carousel of Kodachrome slides he took.

My grandpa must have had a hell of a lot of foresight to take photos in the novelty of color.

Here's a few previews, until I get a good camera. These are projections on the wall I took photos of, so the color and sharpness of the pictures do the real thing no justice.


Aviation student, 1943.


Grandpa in the cockpit of a Waco CG4A glider.


Hangar being built. All those footlockers...


Glider maneuvers stateside. I would be biting the hell out of my nails watching that controlled disaster.

Glider Pilot reenacting

As many of you know, I am a reenactor. And as such, I take pride in recreating "impressions" of WWII soldiers. My primary focus of interest, as you may or may not have already gathered, are the glider pilots of WWII. Primarily trained as pilots and without a lot of thought given to infantry tactics, they were forced to find their way back to whatever friendlies they could happen upon once they landed behind enemy lines.

These pilots were all volunteers and much older than the average Air Corps pilot of the day, most being between 25-35. They were primarily washouts from Cadet school, or simply lacked the proper vision or age requirements. But, they all wanted to get their chance to fly and "get into the action," so they were given perhaps the most dangerous position in the entire armed forces of WWII. Criminally overlooked by the history books and not given their proper due, I have taken it upon myself to portray a little-known chapter in WWII history. Plus, it's a lot of fun to get dressed up and shoot things.


Flight Officers George Brennan and Bernie Cantwell, Operation Dragoon (the invasion of southern France after D-Day).


"Flight Officer" Blake D. Thomas, Operation Vanity (the invasion of his backyard).