band of brother!!

[Thomas brookes]

Helloooooooooooo everybody

Hamish was moaning that he was bored and I haven't posted in a while,

to be honest I have been struggling with photogs block . no inspiration. I have shot a few family parties but find the photographs a tad dull.

So I thought I would share with you my other hobby. I have kept it a secret for a long long time now from even my closest of friends through fear of getting ridiculed. but those who have found out of recent where really interested and impressed and have come to events and had a great time.

One of my biggest interests is history in modern conflict especially ww2.

I decided to go into re-enactment portraying American airborne 101st and 82nd (band of brothers)
and also 2nd armoured division. (playing with Sherman tanks)

although a lot of stigma attached to “re-enactment” its a lot bigger than you can imagine. be it an extra for band of brothers, saving private Ryan, photo shoots for books and various TV documentary reconstructions, school visits, static displays, and live battles in front of the public with blank ammunition.

twice yearly my group travel in full armour to France and Holland following the path of liberation, in the European theatre of operation. The locals often dress in 40's gear and hundreds of people line the streets waving the column through its great for them for tourism and we get to educate and keep alive the memories and sacrifice people made. Never forget....

so here are some self pics of me in 82nd airborne gear hopefully in the style of the way band of brothers was shot.....

if you would like to borrow me for a shoot feel free!

enjoy

 

[Pete Askew]

No ridicule from me Tom. What a great set and what an interesting 'hobby'. Nice cinematic style too. What would be great would to see them a bit more environmental but I guess that's tricky to do as a self portrait. What about combining the costume with a derelict location? Maybe a bit of theatrical smoke. I'm quite excited about these and I think you should do more. What about battle weary soldier with 'Floozy'? Or those gazing into the distance shots (good pose by the way) looking out of window while smoking (waiting for the next onslaught)?

More please Tom!!!

 

[Thomas brookes]

Would love to Pete, as you say it's difficult as a self portrait, hmmmmm wonder if any one could help....???? Might tap up dan or Hamish if there interested hahaaa thank you for your comments!!

 

[Hamish Gill]

These are brilliant mate!
Im gonna have to pop around your place and see how you get the lighting so nice!

No ridicule from me either! although you would struggle to get me to rub dirt on my face... i have issues with dirt, make up, sticky things ... dont know why ...

I like the lack of background/cinematic feel i think it works to emphasize a "feeling" of some sort ...

your a dark horse mate, i wouldnt have expected you to be involved in such things but im some how not surprised that you are!

 

[Thomas brookes]

Haha everyone says I'm a dark horse!! Yeah my lighting rig is pretty high tech it's a window with a curtain pole and some curtains pulled across!!. Works so well tho !!

As for dirty sticky things on my face.... Well that's for another conversation..... Think your going to struggle with a jam handed child tho mate? Haha cheers buddy

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Nice one Tom - very atmospheric shots

Never knew there was so much to it - very cool that you keep the memory alive each year with the trips to Europe.

How do customs cope with guns, grenades and tanks???

 

[Vic Shaw]

Nice set Tom, I like these a lot. I really like the first one though, Do you ever get down to the ' War and Peace' show?

WWii is also a interest of mine, I just love peoples stories from that era.

You would maybe be interested in some photos I took a few weeks back. I got to handle some very historic small arms from that era all in working order. I have a shot of a British sniper rifle kit that I've been meaning to put together.

 

[Thomas brookes]

They tend not to argue when the Sherman tanks approach, it all has to be covered . each person has to comply with the violent crimes act, have a full fire arms licence and public liability insurance and obviously they know were coming, in France we get a police escort who run ahead and close the roads at junctions, it's a big deal over there with france and holland being occupied by the Germans during the war, liberation on d-day and onwards was a huge thing. Plus as I said the small towns get a great tourist trade.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Yeah vic get em up!! Yes I have done war and peace a few times one of the biggest events in the uk awesome show!!

 

[Pete Askew]

You know Tom, I'v been looking more and more at this series and, although not obvious at first, it's the last shot that is growing on me more and more. Got to say it again though, fantastic series and I'm really looking forward to something more if you are prepared!

 

[Thomas brookes]

Thank you Pete, yeah I would love to do more I'll see if dan and Hamish will Come and help I'll dress up !! Haha

I know what you mean about that shot its my favourite out of the bunch,tho unintentional the stare reminds me of one of my favorite photographs out of all my reference books this photo is of an unknown 82nd paratrooper resting, exhausted by the fighting in the ruins of saint-sauveur le vicomte.

 

[Paul Lange]

What a fantastic set of images Tom. Whatever people may feel about the hobby they can't argue about those shots. I think you have got it just right with the facial expression as well. Overdone they would look contrived, underdone, a bit limp. These are on the money I feel.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Thank you very much Paul

 

[Darren Bradley]

Beautiful set, Thomas. And fascinating hobby. I studied history at Uni so love the historical reenactments, although I've never taken part in any. I'd love to see you with your platoon over in France during the events.

What made you choose the 82nd Airborne? Family or personal reasons? Oh, and nice Garand. But where's your carbine?

 

[Thomas brookes]

Thanks Darren, the main reason for us airborne 82nd and 101st was the units fascinated me from an early age, they where the cutting edge of the war, development in weapons, equipment and tactics were fast up to d-day to accommodate the paratroopers needs, airborne tactics then became basic combat tactics and are still used today in regards to close quarters combat and the taking of dug in enemy emplacements. There actions changed combat to what we see today.

As for the carbine vs the garand? The garand was the preferred weapon of choice for most paras it was heavier than the carbine which offered a more stable firing platform altho the both shared the same .30 calibre the garand had a muzzle velocity of 855m/s to the carbines 610 m/s that gave the garand much more impact penetration the main reason
Was the garands range, 600m to the carbines 250m........ You can see why they preferred it !!!

the carbine with the folding stock was mainly issued to officers and troops who's role was not a standard rifleman i.e 50cal mc gunner and radio operator who could fold the butt away and sling it over their shoulder whilst they got on with there main role. Plus as I also do other units which would mean a carbine would have it's limitations for other units, and also there about £500 more than the garand. I would love one though!!!!


Wow!!!

I'm a super geek!!!

 

[Darren Bradley]

Yes, I know the carbine had less stopping power than the garand and a lot of the paras got frustrated with it for that reason. I was just wondering because it's more of the unique weapon for the airborne troops. But if I was going to war back then, I'd have preferred the garand, too (well, actually, maybe an MP 43/44 if I really had a choice!).

My neighbor across the street was at D-Day and the Bulge. He was military police, so his role at D-Day was largely rear echelon, directing traffic and keeping things moving along. The Bulge was where he saw most of the action, as the lines were overrun and it was really every man for himself. He still talks about it like it was yesterday.

 

[Paul Lange]

My uncle collected loads of 1st & 2nd world war stuff over the course of several years. He was wll into it and then he got bored and sole the lot!

It's amazing how different people remember the wars that have fought in in different ways. My great uncle fought at Dunkirk and although he mentioned a few things about it. It was obvious that it was hell on earth and he didn't really like talking about it much though.