Information
If you are interested in taking part in a reenactment please send us an Email. Reenacting is an exciting hobby, and quite addictive. It is very safe, and you will find that the participants are average people from all walks of life who enjoy history.
Join the 3rd Para Brigade
The 3rd Para Brigade is a World War Two reenacting and living history group which draws its membership from the Northwest United States and Western Canada. The group participates in tactical recreations of WWII battles as well as living history displays for the public. This site contains information about reenacting, the history of the Brigade in WWII, the equipment and uniforms used by WWII parachutists, and photos from living history and reenacting events. The site also contains a comprehensive listing of links to other reenacting groups around the world, sites dealing with WWII and the airborne forces, and vendors who can supply gear.
The choice of the 3rd Parachute Brigade was motivated by a desire among unit members to incorporate several different historical impressions. The 3rd Parachute Brigade of the British 6th Airborne Division was unique in that it had the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion as a unit along with two regular British battalions. Thus a member may focus on the British Parachutist or Canadian Parachutist for their impression.
The unit is organized with two sections, one British and one Canadian. Each section will optimally consist of seven men, including one corporal and one lance corporal. Many of our members are also part of the RAF living history group, and most collect a variety of Commonwealth uniforms outside of the Airborne impression.
The unit is based on its 'Core' members, who attend a majority of events, vote on unit business, pay unit dues, and may hold rank. Given that many people can only attend events occasionally, or wish to visit our events from other clubs, the unit also has 'Associate' members. Associate members attend when possible, do not vote, do not pay dues, and do not hold rank (unless approved by the Unit CO). Their attendance must be approved prior to each event by the unit CO. In order to become a Core member of the 3rd Para Brigade recruits will be sponsored by a unit member in good standing. The sponsoring member will assist the recruit in obtaining kit, and learning about the Brigade and it's history. New members will have one probationary year to complete the "required" kit list (see Equipment List page). In order to become an Associate member a recruit would simply need to contact the Unit CO and arrange to meet. Loaner gear is available for new members to use as necessary.
New members will not be considered a voting member of the 3rd Parachute Brigade until they have completed a year probationary period. This gives time to collect the uniform and equipment, get to know the other members, and see how events work. After this period the new member will be subject to unit approval of their membership by means of a unit vote.
New members will have the choice of what their primary impression will be, British Paratrooper or Canadian Paratrooper, as long as the integrity of the unit is maintained and unit guidelines are followed. Parachute training is optional. If new members wish to undertake parachute training they will be recognized during a unit ceremony awarding them official jump wings.
Expectations and Safety
APPEARANCE: Haircuts and facial hair will be in typical WWII military style. Members should be physically fit and maintain a neat appearance. Wristwatches will be analog types as opposed to digital, with military style bands. Eyeglasses when worn will be in military or period style frames.
RPS MEMBERSHIP: Members of the 3rd Para Brigade who wish to participate in reenactments are expected to be a regular member of the WWII Research and Preservation Society (RPS), or have filled out a guest registration if attending from another reenacting organization. Regular members of the RPS pay annual dues of $30.
SAFETY: Safety is the prime consideration for all unit members during reenactments. Failure to properly follow safety procedures may result in the immediate removal from an event as well as termination of membership in the 3rd Para Brigade and the RPS.
Possession of any live ammunition at any event will result in the immediate expulsion from the 3rd Para Brigade and the RPS permanently and without appeal.
No direct fire of any firearm shall be permitted within twenty five (25) feet of anyone. Make sure that the area in front of you is clear. Watch for others skulking in cover.
There will be no loading or discharging of blanks until authorized by a Unit Leader or appointee.
Knives and bayonets shall be sheathed except for cooking, as tools, for digging, or for staged photographs. Other weapons not otherwise covered in these safety rules must have the approval of the Board.
Treat all firearms as if they were loaded and ready to fire. Do not leave them where the public can have easy access to them without supervision. Unload weapons not in use. Most important of all, use your head and prevent unsafe situations from occurring. In rough going, use your weapon's safety or its functional equivalent (e.g., closed bolt) to help prevent accidental discharges.
Anyone who performs an intentionally dangerous act that causes or could have caused serious injuries to others or himself can be expelled.
Although it may not give rise to a safety hazard per se, the integrity of an event depends in large measure upon the deportment of the members and their good faith efforts to abide by the rules of engagement. Accordingly, any member who willfully violates the rules of engagement or who by an uncooperative or argumentative attitude detracts from the safety and authenticity of an event shall be subject to the sanctions and penalties on the RPS.
When any Member places the RPS in an embarrasing light, their membership may be terminated.
Possession of illegal drugs will result in immediate explusion.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at events until all firearms and edged weapons are secured.
Reenacting is strenuous hobby not recommended for those with physical conditions that limit this type of activity. If a member has a heart condition or other ailment that may stop him or her from participating, the member should consult a doctor before coming to an event. Members are responsible for verifying their own health.
DETERMINING A "KILL": A combatant is considered "killed" when he has without question received opposing fire, as follows:
CASUALTIES: Those "killed" will fall back behind their lines, with their helmet removed, without obstructing or interacting with others. Casualties will move to a designated "dead zone" established prior to the battle, where they will remain for 15-20 minutes as determined prior to the battle.
EFFECTIVE WEAPON RANGE:
HAND GRENADES:
A Day of Reenacting
Reenacting is usually a weekend affair, with battles scheduled for all day Saturday and half a day on Sunday. Most people choose to arrive on Friday evenings to allow for time to settle in and store equipment.
The 3rd Para Brigade is a member group of the WWII Research and Preservation Society (RPS), which schedules battles in California and Oregon. Normally our reenactments take place at military posts and state parks, usually having barracks assigned for each unit. In the Pacific Northwest we enjoy what are perhaps the finest reenacting sites anywhere, with excellent and diverse terrain.
Early on Saturday the units converge for parade where safety procedures are reviewed and equipment inspected. Unit leaders will discuss and arrange for the day's proceedings. Units will then fall out and march or drive to the area reserved for the reenactment.
Each side, Allied and Axis, are assigned goals to defend and take from the other side. Historical tactics and command structure are used to engage the enemy and take unit objectives while defending one's own areas. Vehicles may be used to coordinate units or in an offensive role with weapons mounts.
As members are "killed" they move back to a casualty clearing area known as the "dead zone". They stay here for 15-20 minutes, at which time they are free to rejoin their unit (or an ad hoc one) as best as possible. There is no limit to the number of times you can be "killed", so when in doubt assume you have been hit. This fosters a stronger spirit of fair play among all units and helps avoid any ill-will or unpleasantness.
Depending on whether the event is a 24-hour tactical, lunch may taken in the field as a unit during a short period of cease-fire. Often this is the time to evaluate one's own tactics and those of the enemy. Food is historical only.
Time during the weekend is spent practicing the historical drill, reviewing hand signals, and reviewing the equipment requirements.
Evenings are spent at the barracks, and are a time when the unit can eat together and talk about the gear and the history of the unit. Usually one night is spent with all units dining together in a local town where best dress is encouraged.
The 3rd Para Brigade is a member group of the WWII Research and Preservation Society (RPS), having formed in late '98. Our unit currently consists of approximately fifteen members living throughout the Northwest United States and Western Canada.
The thrower must yell "Grenade" when it is released. The grenade will be considered detonated at first impact, not where it finally stops. Kill radius is 15 feet from first impact. Expended grenades will be out of action for 15 minutes.