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Post by indiosbravos on Jul 23, 2008 0:19:56 GMT -5
The show and reenactors are mostly ETO, there's one group doing PTO (USMC, Saipan) and people are keep on mistaking them for Vietnam....I managed to find a lone wolf Banzai Soldier though. I always got a look from fellow reenactors. That feeling was summed up when one asked me this " You've got an American gears but you're wearing a Tommy helmet, what are you? (they probably thought that I'm doing a WW1 or just plain misinformed, wearing a mismatched uniform?) Actually I'm very pleased when people keeps on asking me questions, giving me a chance to educate them in my own limited way. The usual comment I'm getting was you're different. One vendor tried to sales talked me by telling me Garand was wrong and never reach the Philippines, I should buy his Springfield, then I told him the PS are the first one to actually used the Garand(don't mind buying his 03 if only I got the dough)...PTO, specially the Philippines can be easily summarized through Mc Arthur and his famous " I shall return" phrase(this was the impression I'm getting). With this, the more I was inspired to continue what I have started and hopefully next year will be able to have a info- tent about the PS and the war in the Philippines. All in all my experience was great. I had a blast, met great people and really enjoyed the whole event. After Market Garden, this Veteran besides me actually rode the "Comet" tank behind us in crossing the Rhine. Battle Reenactment Show (video to follow)
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Post by legionnaire on Jul 23, 2008 2:12:49 GMT -5
Great pics and it really looks like all the work was worth preparing for was rewarding and something to be proud off!
Congradulations Lawrence for being THE FIRST to introduce the PS to the British. And your new dedication to educate them about the early part of the Pacific war. it's an uphill battle but someone but you has to start it. Over hear the American and even the Filipino public are just as uneducated and unaware the PS existed. I hope they appreciated your showing them who the Scouts were and their sacrifice.
" You've got an American gears but you're wearing a Tommy helmet, what are you?"
Your'e reply; Philippine Scout! The most decorated US army division at the beginning of the war. The best trained and prepared for war. They were America's Gurkhas!
The usual comment I'm getting was you're different.
sadly shows the extent of their knowledge of were the US began it's first ground war of WWII.
Don"t forget to tell them next time that Hong Kong and Singapore fell to the Japanese in a few weeks with a well equiped and trained British and commonwealth Army while Bataan and Corregidor held on for 150 days. and then went through the Death march!
"No mama, No papa No uncle Sam!"
And to even perplex them tell them that the Scouts were issued 40 Universal Bren gun carriers. Because Hong Kong fell to the Japs! Used British field artillery pieces and the PA used the American version of the P1914 rifle! ;D
And the PA used British made Thornycraft Torpedoe boats while the US still did not have any PT boats at that time! This will drive them "Barking mad!" ;D
"HINDI KA NAGIISA!" Thank you for showing lots of great picstures and introducing the Philippine Scouts on the biggest Militaria show!. The reenacting fever has now gotten into you!
Philip
And you gave a D_a_mn!
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 23, 2008 9:04:11 GMT -5
That is one thing that you can do. Get your picture taken with a Bren Carrier. There are a few in the states, but I have seen more around the units in the UK.
Martin
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 23, 2008 11:12:48 GMT -5
Hi Lawrence, Congratulations on your first event. I respect what you do and kudos for going out there by your lone self to represent the WW2 Filipino soldier to educate the public. That takes some courage to go out there for the first time, not knowing if you'll be ridiculed by friends or nitpicked at by those who know more. It takes a lot of dedication and belief in what you're doing to put together the basic PS gear in just about 2 months in time for the War and Peace show (with a baby coming to boot!). Congratulations and thank you for having done it. So you're the guy who had American gear and wore a "tommy helmet"... Over here we're the "Are you Japanese, nissei?" ... and sometimes from fellow Filipinos it's "are you boy scouts who fought in Bataan?" I have a one-page flyer with a brief write-up about the PS and some pictures. I used to give it away at events whenever someone asked if I was "Japanese/Nissei"... I'll email you the PDF, maybe you can use it in future events. Nice picture with the French girls. If they're from St. Mere Eglise... now I know why some 101st guys jumped into town with the 82nd Great pictures!
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on Jul 23, 2008 15:20:15 GMT -5
Ours is, Are you British and Are you a doughboy? The other thing I find interesting, is the looks on peoples faces, when you mention American's surrendering. I don't think most people (including alot/most of the WW2 reenactors) understand the relationship between Philippine forces and the United States. They don't get it was a territory in the process of becoming independent. I did not understand MacArthurs retirement, service to the Philippines and reinstatement. I found that to be something interesting. Lots of things to discover and experience. Martin
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Post by indiosbravos on Jul 23, 2008 17:35:16 GMT -5
Thank you for all the affirmations. Although we do this things voluntarilly, encouragements and support from like minded people are a big boost to a tiring body (and pocket).
So I'm not the only one who experience this total amnesia to PTO players and their contributions to the war effort. The Philippines and US army relatiuonship and standing during WW2 was really worth studying and analysing...
Although this is my first and only show to attend so far what I have noticed was the people's fascinations to Screaming Eagles ( I even met a group of German doing a US army). Blame and praise Band of Brothers? Every body wanted to be 101st..(I may be wrong since I never been to other show). So you're right with so many US group comes US army equipments big and small.
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Post by legionnaire on Jul 23, 2008 18:27:59 GMT -5
"Battling bastard defender" BAR gunner Pvt. Alcazar PS Bataan hills 42' We were even asked if we were British troops at last year's fort Mac event! Sad really sad to hear questions like these. I even met a group of German doing a US armyWere they dressed as MP's? ;D I hope Donald Plata's docu film "Forgotten soldiers" will hopefully help make the American public see and be informed that the pacific war was fougth in the Philippines and southeast asia by so many Allied forces. BTW The USAFFE forces were THE Original "Battling Bastards of Bataan! who were never rescued or resupplied by air or sea. "No Uncle Sam" fought on for 150 days. Compared to the "Battlling Bastards of Bastogne" 101st who held out for 5 weeks? And were saved by Patton with the help of legendary all colored "Black Panther" 761st Tank battalion. aside from bing resupplied by air drops! And before that the 101st AB disastrious landing on Normandy countryside compared to the succesful 503rd Airborne landing on a tiny Rock called Corregidor? Philip
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Post by frank on Jul 24, 2008 11:51:06 GMT -5
Congratulations!.
Hold on. We will get there to join you!
I know the editor of Military Machines International, and he covers that event. Let me inquire from him if he can locate a Bren Gun Carrier that you may get a ride on. So we can have some images or video for here.
Frank
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mish
History Buff
Kalayaan
Posts: 135
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Post by mish on Jul 24, 2008 12:30:07 GMT -5
Congratulations from me too, sir! I hope you're not alone anymore when the next event rolls in.
A few shots showing your gear back view would be nice. Filling in/stuffing the haversack would be cool, plus, attaching the pack's suspender straps to the rings on the pack's lower end helps you to adjust the pack so it rides higher and also prevents it from flip-flopping against your back when on the move.
Mabuhay po kayo!
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Post by frank on Jul 24, 2008 15:24:47 GMT -5
www.memorialmuseum.org/TankGrp.htm15. BREN CARRIERS. - About this time the Group commander was directed to prepare a plan for the utilization of some forty Bren carriers arrived in Manila on a fugitive British ship. The Bren guns were not available. The plans provided for the organization into two companies, the ordnance to install machine guns; the crews to be grounded aviation personnel; the units thus provided to operate with the tanks as much needed reconnaissance, holding, and . This plan was not implemented because of the rapidly developing situation. These vehicles joined the tanks in the field subsequent to the move to the north front of the Group Headquarters--on 24th December. 15 were allotted to each battalion initially, and 10 to the Group Headquarters. They were delivered and driven by air corps personnel and Filipino civilians. The Group S-4, Major Snell, by direction of Group Headquarters, stopped at Stotsenburg where destruction of supplies was in progress; halted long enough to load with high-octane gas in 5-gallon bidons and with small-arms ammunition. The latter with the transporting Bren carriers (about half) were turned over to the divisions and the 26th Cavalry. A few of these had been gunned by the Manila Ordnance Depot. Those retained by the tank units were eventually armed, as machine guns were salvaged from the tank casualties. While their cargo capacity was small, they were very handy in emergency supply, on cross country and on doubtful terrain before committing tanks. It was early discovered that heat-baked ground with every appearance of stability would not support even the Brens because of the high water table, just below the crust, impounded in the d**ed and terraced fields along the highways, usually paralleled by deep ditches full of water. Bridges except on Highways 3, 5, and 7 would not sustain tank traffic without eventual failure.
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Post by indiosbravos on Jul 30, 2008 17:45:46 GMT -5
Frank, thank you.....I'll wait for you.....
Mish- ....My havershack was empty so there's nothing to show with regards to proper use of it. Glad you liked it...
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Post by arm61uic on Sept 24, 2008 2:35:33 GMT -5
Alcazar - - - Dr. Anthony Rama Maravillas here, from Chicago, IL, USA. My father, SFC Ricardo R. Maravillas, a career soldier and a former PS (enlisted March 1941, after being recruited by PS 14th Engineers Lt. at Petit Barracks in Bicol) was an impromptu Aid-Man inClearing Company C, 12th Med. Bn (PS). This occurred at Ft. Wm. McKinley, on 10 Dec. 1941, because the brass decided to bring various units up to strength once the war had begun by moving Scouts around. Thus, my Daddy became an Aid-Man, in support of the 57th Infantry Regt., as part of the 57th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), an early WW II concept. If you are going to look like an Aid-Man, you must wear a white band with a red cross on it around your right arm, between your shoulder and your elbow. You can affix, as they did on Bataan, with pins so that it does not slide around. The rest of your uniform is correct: your khakis, leggings and boots, and steel helmet. That was my father's recommendation as I spoke with him tonight on my mobile. Good luck, and write me at arm61@earthlink.net.
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Post by indiosbravos on Sept 24, 2008 23:45:35 GMT -5
Pleasure to meet you Dr. Anthony. Thank you for giving your input on this matter, Re: Research on PS, early WW2 (PTO) medic gears and uniform. I appreciate your effort in taking time calling your father regarding this.
Lawrence Alcazar England
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Post by insurrectomad on Feb 20, 2009 1:07:05 GMT -5
Too many Young Pinoys have no interest in their Mil. past alas! Its not any better in in Bataan, Tarlac or Pampamga PI. Saw your Jap. mate & spoke with ' Gen. MacArthur' ( his 1st event also) Sorry i failed to notice you. my friends & I were assisting our Dutch mate in Napoleonic kit selling on the stall. We are 6th Austrian Grenzer Regt. In addition to you and "Hito Kamikazi" there were a lot of other headturning first timers present. Israelis 7 Day War group strolling past Gestapo group! next to the non-controversial ancient Egyptians etc. It may be many many years before any reenactors dressed as Japs could operate in PI. The monument is undergoing renovation at long last (Jan 09) in Battaan along with the 'Death March' ones on roads to Campus & O'Donnel. l'm trying to raise an interest 7 support for a 111yr commemoration of the Battle of San Mateo 19 Dec 1899, for next year, as I've retired to Angeles City. Try recruiting at the London & Midlands Bario Fiestas Lawrence.
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