THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 30, 1995 TAG: 9510300034
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS
CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Long : 140 lines
War is hell.
Moisture from the sticky mud seeps into the black leather of Rob Jameson's jackboots and his gray, standard-issue wool trousers, saturating his socks and skin.
The 39-year-old ad agency art director from North Carolina is part of a combined force of 56 Luftwaffe, Waffen SS and Heer troops who are surrounded and vastly outnumbered by British, French and American soldiers.
The wind whistles through the tall trees, which have, so far, kept the location of their German command post secret.
As the blue sky fades to gray, fear that the war will never end sinks deep into Jameson's soul.
Along with 150 other living history buffs, Jameson was trapped in a 50-year time warp this weekend. Too young to have fought in World War II, they converged on the Army's Fort Eustis training ground, traveling from across the country to re-create a battle as authentic as the uniforms they wore and the gear they packed.
The second annual event, sponsored by Hampton Roads Historical Reenactment, is unique, said co-coordinator Rick Baer, because it depicts no particular battle from World War II, and so which side prevails is not predetermined. Other re-enactments around the country depict a specific encounter such as the Battle of the Bulge, said Baer.
Many of the mock soldiers put on living history exhibits in their hometowns. Their weekend battles give them greater insight into the war experience.
While some in this weekend's scenario were veterans or active military, others were civilians. All participants, except one, were men. They have varied careers, from truck driver to lawyer, ranging in age from 18 to 70.
Phil Stevens traveled from the Chicago area to take part.
``I've been interested in World War II ever since I was a kid,'' he said, departing the Allied camp for a probe into enemy territory. ``It's a hobby that combines a lot of things into one.''
Kenneth Bennett, a 35-year-old plumber from Pottstown, Pa., said, ``You can read the diaries, personal accounts, and you still don't know what they're talking about until you get out here.''
The men were drawn together, too, by camaraderie, which was especially evident in the German camp.
``It's a male bonding kind of thing,'' said Michael Buonontuono, a 26-year-old Virginia Beach man who works in the food service field. ``If there was a drum to bang, we'd do it.''
It is October 1944. The European theater of World War II, western front. The American and British forces have established a strong presence all along the 500-mile French front and are advancing with determination on the German border. It will be months before Nazi Germany's final surrender.
Though they will ultimately lose the larger war, this small clutch of stoic German soldiers remains confident it will win the battle.
``I've never been this scared in a re-enactment in my life,'' said Buonontuono, standing guard over the German command post with a German 8 mm KAR 98 K Mauser bolt action rifle in hand. ``I just want to do it right, not lose it.''
At about 1100 hours, or 11 a.m., Saturday, the battle had gone ``tactical,'' or engaged, and just 10 minutes later, a German SS reconnaissance team had pinpointed the location of the enemy's command post and the surrounding ``tent city.''
While the Axis forces quickly found their target, the Allied troops encountered more difficulty.
Several hours after the raid on the American base, soldiers from the Allied camp set out on a mapping expedition, and the foray turned into a firefight when German soldiers, who lay in wait behind trees, shot at the Americans.
It was one of those ``moments of sheer terror'' that break ``hours and hours of boredom'' real-life soldiers experience, said Davy Gray, another of the three-event organizers.
The Americans had spread out as they moved into the German-controlled woods, crouching behind trees and watching for any movement before cautiously proceeding. Then, suddenly, the sound of gunfire punctured the silence, haltingly at first, then with more certainty, more staccato.
``By the road - they're by the road,'' warned the breathless voice of an advance guard.
``They're all over the. . . . place,'' yelled another.
Then the sound of feet stomping crisp leaves and snapping dead branches was followed quickly by the repeat of a machine gun. The smell of gunpowder and cordite mixed with the odor of rotting leaves as orange flashes burst from rifle barrels, disclosing the whereabouts of the enemy, who numbered many.
Volleys fell all around, and two Allied soldiers retreated quickly, trying to draw the Germans out of hiding and into view of other American soldiers on both sides of the fighting ground.
``Pull back - pull back,'' called out one of the two, in mock fear.
Food in both camps was as authentic as the war climate being recreated. The German soldiers feasted on a Saturday evening meal of knackwurst, sauerkraut and boiled potatoes, while the Americans, British and French ate beef stew. A special treat in the German camp was ``smaltze,'' a mixture of bacon grease and onions, which, spread on thick slices of pumpernickel bread, gave the men extra energy.
Blank cartridges made up all ammo kits, making the re-enactment safe for all participants.
Re-enactors apparently spare no cost in their efforts to find the genuine article. Bruce Mayer, a termite inspector from Roanoke, said re-enactors who do ``impressions'' of German soldiers can spend more than $1,000 for an authentic field jacket.
Allied forces outnumbered Germans two to one, a phenomenon that may be explained by the fact that American uniforms and gear are much cheaper to buy.
On Friday, participants could buy, sell or trade equipment at a flea market during registration. The actual battle got under way at 11 a.m. Saturday and fighting continued until Sunday morning.
At about 8 a.m. Sunday, it appeared that despite their smaller numbers, German forces had prevailed. Yet the rat-tat-tat of machine gun fire could be heard not far away.
As a goggled Heer soldier steered a German jeep expertly through enemy lines, a barrage of rifle shots erupted from the cover of roadside woods. The compact vehicle careened swiftly around a road block and became airborne after its tires thumped into water-filled potholes.
There was truth in what Baer called out to his men as it became apparent that British and American troops would launch a counterattack in the damp chill before the sun rose Sunday.
``It ain't over 'til it's over.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color] PHOTOS BY STEVE EARLY
The Virginian-Pilot
Jeff Garriss of Norfolk fought in the authentically styled uniform
of a member of the 9th Panzer Division in the German army.
Two 1st Panzer Division members, on patrol, ready a little
surprise.
James Carter of Virginia Beach, portraying a German soldier, gets a
Saturday morning cooking fire going.
PHOTOS BY STEVE EARLEY
The Virginian-Pilot
Davy Gray, left, and Rick Baer, two organizers of the weekend
re-enactment, discuss their level of strategy, while members of the
9th SS Panzer Division, below, prepare for the day's inspection.
by CNB