|
Why 1940 ?
About ten years ago several like minded reenactors got
together and decided to create a new community of units dedicated to the 1940 era and the various nationalities involved in
the French Campaign of May - June, 1940. Since no one was doing this type of event and since these units did not
exist, we realised we would literally have to invent it by ourselves. Through unbelievable dedication, hard work and
some arm twisting we managed to scrape together the uniforms, weapons and equipment necessary to outfit two or three
small groups of men, enough for a decent small action. The arm twisting came when we realized we didn't have enough BODIES
to fill the uniforms ! The fact that people weren't exactly lining up was a blessing in disguise because the people
we did recruit were the right ones for the job and the high quality more than made up for the low quantity. These
days we have loyal and talented groups of people who regularly attend each event and represent the different nationalities.
We had to produce much of our own reproduction uniforms and field equipment, another blessing in disguise since we can
control our own high level of quality and consistency.
Thanks to the steady alliances forged between regularly
participating units we have a good representation of French, English and German infantry and they are steadily growing.
We now have these groups up to nearly equal strength and are fleshing out the Belgian presence. The site continues
to improve with foxholes, field fortifications and other interesting terrain features added.
The 92nd R. I. Then . . .
The 92nd Regiment d'Infanterie (Infantry Regiment) was an
"A" series line regiment made up of three battalions in the 25th Motorized Infantry Division, a part of the French 7th
Army stationed along the northern border between France and Belgium when the French Campaign started on May 10th, 1940.
The 7th Army was composed of some of the better trained and equipped units as the French high command expected the main German
thrust to fall on the relatively unprotected flat plains of central Belgium. When the Germans attacked in this sector,
Gamelin and Georges, the French Supreme commander and the commander of the Northeast Front, felt that they had correctly interpreted
the German plans. Unfortunately for them it was a feint and the main attack broke through the poorly defended hinge
between the French 2nd Army and 9th Army near the city of Sedan on the river Meuse. Within four days the French
1st and 7th Armies and the BEF, who had rushed into Belgium were reeling in retreat with the German armored divisions
in place to cut them off. The Belgian surrender on May 28th sealed the fate of the BEF, most of whom made it back to
the port of Dunkirk. The French retreated to Lille in northern France and were able to hold the pocket long enough to
occupy the major German threat until the BEF could be evacuated off the beaches. The 92nd was split up during the disorganized
retreat, two battalions staying in Lille and forming up with other splintered regiments to form "Groupement Molinie" under
General Molinie and putting up stout resistance but to no avail. The French Army, its four armored divisions destroyed
by parcelling out tanks here and there were no match for the highly trained and motivated German Army. In a gesture
of respect, Groupement Molinie and other units defending the Lille Pocket were allowed to parade with arms during the surrender
but it changed nothing. They were marched off to POW camps in Germany where most stayed for almost five years.
Some prisoners were repatriated back to France by Germany in another hollow gesture but the bitter reality for most was internment.
And Now . . .
The recreated version of the 92nd R.I. began at a
militaria show in eastern France 13 years ago when I picked up an infantry Lieutenant's kepi from 1940 with
the number "92" stenciled on the front. (I plan to return this kepi to the modern 92nd RI in 2008 by donating it to
their museum in Clermont-Ferrand. The communications officer of the regiment contacted me recently, they have expressed
extreme interest in obtaining it.) The unit was built around that one piece. It gave us an identity to pursue.
The 92nd was a good unit but not elite and certainly had its share of difficulties in the campaign of 1940. The fact
that it was wholly representative of its time was its main appeal. I started with a few close trusted friends as my
collection became the point from which this unit sprang to life. It is still run that way. Through careful selection
I've managed to attract German and English units of the same high caliber who also believe that the purpose of this activity
is greater than the typical "cowboys and indians" stuff seen at many reenactments. Our battle site in Orange County,
VA is privately owned and contains fighting positions, bridges, roads and other combat features designed to simulate the Ardennes
Region of northeastern France where the battle actually happened. How do I know ? I've been to these sites many
times and walked the positions where 60 years ago, Panzer Divisions engaged CORF bunkers and French anti tank guns.
|
