To remember the NFS Overseas Columns, we are planning to head for the Normandy Beaches for the D-Day 75th anniversary. A group of twelve of us, eight NFS firemen and four partners are taking the Dodge Mobile Dam, the Austin K2 and a Dennis Trailer Pump for the first week of June this year.
These vehicles are very similar to those taken to France a few months after D-Day between January and July 1945 by Column No 4 of the NFS Overseas Contingent – specially trained to fight fires caused by the invasion fighting.
We are putting together the uniforms used by the Overseas Contingent, which were similar to that used by the regular NFS. The same tunic and trousers, respirator bag and tin helmet. But there the similarities ended. They had webbing and backpack, lace-up ammo boots rather than gumboots, gaiters, beret rather than cap, and a water bottle.
We aim to catch the ferry from Poole to Cherbourg on Monday 3rd June and camp near Omaha beach until Thursday 6th, and near Bayeux until Sunday 7th, catching a ferry home on the Monday morning.
We are hoping to do pumping displays and foam displays at the re-enacting camps:
- Mon 3rd June, Travel to Normandy.
Tues 4th. Morning display at Normandy Victory Museum, Carentan.
Wed 5th. Morning display at Normandy Victory Museum, Carentan.
Afternoon display at Utah Memory Field (TBC)
Thurs 5th. Day off. (Visit to Bayeux, move campsite)
Fri 6th. 6pm display at Creully Camp.
Sat 7th. 2pm-5pm. Road Run from Creully Camp.
6pm display at Creully Camp.
Also, we would welcome further opportunities to show our equipment in operation at any other gatherings of re-enactors, town centres or fire stations.
There is a good article about the Overseas Contingent here, and some fascinating period photos of the Overseas Contingent in training here. There is information about the D-Day commemorations here.
