After Action Reports

The Military History Club sent ten USMAPS representatives to the 1999 Battle of the Bulge Commemoration and Reenactment at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, 29-31 JAN (Fri-Sun). The trip was supervised by myself and Major Mark Zaslavsky, NJ National Guard. The Cadet Candidates participated in small unit tactical exercises, and gained a great deal of military professional development and WWII military historical insight.

The Commemoration included over a 1500 authentic WWII reenactors from dozens of international units, including numerous Regular Army (1ID, 2ID, 4AD) National Guard (29ID, 45 ID) and British (1st Para, Irish Guards) Reenactment units. The WWII Barracks at Fort Indiantown Gap helped make for an excellent 1940’s atmosphere. The area was filled with WWII German and American tanks, half-tracks, Jeeps, motorcycles and trucks. A USO Show, USO Canteen, and an authentic field kitchen completed the environment.

CC’s outfitted as WWII Paratroopers in the 101^st Airborne Division ("Private Ryan’s" unit). After a safety inspection of weapons, blanks and cold weather gear they were given instruction on their WWII equipment. The USMAPS Squad was lead by Jason Woodward, Jason Ben Symonette, and David Schulz. CC Dana Fogle served as the squad Bazooka, and CC Tara Munley was the Sniper. CC’s Paul Perez and Dat Nguyen served as field medics. CC Jesus Tavarez participated with the German 7^th Parachute Regt.

After experiencing WWII Barracks life and reveille, the CC’s participated in a field tactical exercise commemorating the Battle of the Bulge, 1945. The 101st attacked and seized a key hill and road intersection with light casualties. The Germans sent a counter attack led by a company of Panzer Grenadiers, several half-tracks and Armored Cars, and Kubelwagens (a German Jeep). The USMAPS CC Paratroopers were forced to withdraw to another position to wait for Allied tanks and "leg Infantry" to arrive. For those who hold viewing the film "Saving Private Ryan" as a good professional development film, this reenactment was a similar (albeit bloodless) "virtual reality" experience for them.

The final firefight of the day was viewed by about 1,110 spectators as the weather was sunny and about 45 degrees. TV and Newspaper reporters form around the USA covered the event, and CC’s appeared in several televised news broadcasts. The evening activity included a 1940’s USO show complete with Swing Band.

Peter F. Panzeri
MAJ, IN