Route to Victory 3rd-5th May 2008

[25pdr]

From the HMVF ...
http://www.hmvf.co.uk/index.php?opti...;boardseen#new

www.routetovictory.info

Buoyed by the success of Gathering of Eagles and Operation Bolero, Keith Brigstock of 'The Garrison LHG' (the searchlight mob in Aldbourne) and now a committee member of the newly formed Kennet Valley Area of the MVT, has enlisted the Stevens brothers and the extended GoE/Bolero organising committee to assist with Route to Victory on 3/4 and 5 May next year.

I know that this clashes with the HMVF event planned for Salisbury Plain, but fear not, as the event will be based in Ramsbury in Wiltshire and will feature a Sunday convoy to Upavon and Netheravon, so with a little bit of planning this should be to the betterment of both events! Especially as we have a C47 confirmed to attend at Netheravon and land - where will you be Jack?

Route to Victory is all about Operation Market Garden and honoring the role played by the men and machines of the Allied forces as well as the pre invasion part played by the Kennet Valley area and Salisbury Plain. It is also one of a number of events being staged to suitably mark the 40th anniversary of the Military Vehicle Trust in 2008.

We are planning big and intend the role of XXX Corps to be one of the main focusses of the weekend. To this end the Saturday convoy will be led by US vehicles and visit sites of US pre-invasion activity in the area, but the Sunday convoy will be led by British Vehicles (ideally dressed in appropriate XXX Corps markings) and visit locations wholly applicable to the British and Commonwealth pre-invasion activity.

Be in no doubt, we want Saturday to be a feast of American hardware just like Bolero and we want the Sunday convoy to deliver a XXX Corps equivalent to Operation Bolero and provide a real spectacle of British and Commonwealth WW2 trucks. The gauntlet has been laid down gentlemen (and ladies!). If you have bitched about the predominance of convoy events for GMC's, Dodges and Diamond T's and you drive a Bedford QL, an AEC Matador or the like, this weekend will be the 2008 event for you.

From a living history perspective we also want to gather the largest grouping of Allied Airborne re-enactors together that have been seen in one location. 101st, 82nd, British and Polish re-enactors are all welcome.

Mindful of the Bolero food stop shag up, we're booked into Littlecote House for a catered BBQ lunch on the Saturday and on the Sunday will rendezvous with a pig roast somewhere on the route - all meals being confirmed and paid for as part of the booking in procedure.

The Monday of the weekend will be the public event staged on the camp site in Ramsbury. This is Rookery Field the site of the 506th PIR's hutted camp in the village. The event will include living history encampments, arena displays and air displays. The Royal Artillery Parachute Display Team are confirmed as attending and will jump in WW2 uniforms from a C47 over the village and into the arena!

We are also hoping to stage some meaningful photo opportunities in the locality with troops and armour re-enacting the advance to the bridges.

Needless to say we are intent on encouraging the active involvement of veterans groups on both sides of the Atlantic and the event will be a not for profit event under the banner of the MVT Kennet Valley Area with all excess revenue being donated to the Royal British Legion poppy appeal.

As with all of our previous events, going right back to the first Red Ball Express in the early 1990's, we are aiming to see our vehicles in use and in appropriate settings, accompanied by appropriate uniformed personnel. As a confirmed GMC addict, there will be nobody happier than me if we see British and Commonwealth trucks out numbering GMC's.

Please visit the website www.routetovictory.info for details. It is only a single page at the moment, but will be added to soon with a booking form and more pertinent information.

Keith Brigstock can be contacted on keith.brigstock@tiscali.co.uk

Look forward to delivering a cracking and memorable event for 2008

Neil Stevens