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To view Connor's monthy article in Boardseeker Magazine click here: Mentor and Student, with Jem Hall

Welcome to the home page of YANKS World War Two Living History Group!

Scroll down for all the information on this web page.

The background of the group is described below with special thanks to Tim Dean for providing the original facts:

HISTORY

Starting back in early ’97 there were just five of us with one ’42 Willy’s and an ex British army 50’s pattern 14ft x 14ft tent. Back then we attempted to represent a squad from the 141st Infantry, 36th (Texas) Division.

A trip to Normandy in ’99 saw us change to airborne, initially representing the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment but later, as an ongoing process, changing into a generic airborne unit, and finally, a generic WW2 USA presentation.

In 2002 we were awarded runners up in class for living history at the M.V.T. National Show.

MEMBERS

We have around 12 members, a mix of vehicle owners, collectors, and living history enthusiasts. Like everyone, we all have our different priorities but within the group, over the seasons we’ve developed into particular roles on a show weekend. Ages range from 17 to late 50’s. ‘Real Time’ occupations range from students, through several ex-forces people, aircraft, engine & telephone engineers, a builder, a parole officer, a retail manager, office workers, a driver and some from the medical/care sector. 

PRESENTATION

Our presentation can be described as ‘third person interactive’ or ‘a living museum’. Rather than portray a particular Company of a particular Regiment, of a particular Division, we endeavour to show a wider view of airborne troops, enabling us to show the development of clothing, equipment, weapons, rations, etc as WW2 in the ETO (European Theatre of Operations) progressed. Our members will typically wear early or late WW2 US uniforms & equipment, with a mix of Parachute, Glider and Infantry personnel being represented. This gives our members chance to vary their individual presentations.

We are flexible enough to hold a theme if required by show organisers, most members do have at least enough kit to don ‘41’s, 42’s or 43’s as required, but we do prefer a certain flexibility of our own within our presentation. We have also, in the past, portrayed MP’s, USAAF ground personnel & aircrew at UK based veterans’ reunions & airshows.

UNITS

In Yanks we try to represent a variety of U.S.Army units rather than one fixed unit. So members can really do any 'Yank' impression they want! For example, in the past our members have portrayed a selection including:

OUR DISPLAY

We have a CP (Command Post) with radio’s, field phones, field furniture and other items, normally camouflaged with netting, a custom made mess tent, big enough to completely hide a small kitchen at the rear and provide a rain/wind/sun shelter at the front. Shelter half tents provide individual accommodation & are erected as an encampment. We have a 60mm mortar position as part of our typical display, with a motor pool element as well. More weapons & equipment are added to our presentation each season, as individual collections get larger.

VEHICLES

Yanks members currently own the following vehicles, which appear at events:
3 x Jeeps
2 x ¾ Ton Dodge Weapons Carriers
1 x ¾ Ton Dodge Ambulance
1 x Harley WLA Motorcycle
1 x German Motorcycle/Sidecar

Weapons

Weapons owned by YANKS members include:
M1 Garand Rifles
M1 Carbines
M1A1 Thompson Sub-Machineguns
60mm Mortar
Sidearms
Grenades
Knives
Mines

HOW TO JOIN

If you would like more information about Yanks Living History Group, then contact the webmaster at:

corwin_bainbridge@yahoo.co.uk

He will be able to forward you to the appropriate person and give you details on all the group's activities, future appearances, and what a newcomer would need to join up. We accept people all ages, from all walks of life!

Thanks for visiting!

Please use the links below to explore the site further: