It's Not Just the Airplanes

By John Dorcey

World War II comes alive just off the Warbird flight line at AirVenture 2005. This is not another aircraft display but a recreation of a 9th Air Force Army Air Force Base in Italy sometime between 1942 and 1944. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Wisniewski, the reinactors have been an official part of the Warbirds area of AirVenture since 2000.

"The reason for this living history display is three fold: recognition of the sacrifices of those involved, sharing the history with AirVenture visitors, and providing support to the Warbird aircraft owners." said Wisniewski. "Our reinactors support the Warbird aircraft owner's requests for photo ops and other support missions."

Catching up with Wisniewski, a career fire fighter in the Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield couldn't have been more difficult had the war still been going on. The base was being established as we talked.

The base is divided among the allies - British, Canadian, and United States and consists of living quarters, repair facilities, gun emplacements, ground equipment, and of course, a latrine. The area provides a living history of how it was for the "working stiffs" and how they lived 24/7.

Colonel Wisniewski, sounding like a good commander, reminds us, "Keep in perspective that the war was fought by kids; kids that may have never been away from home before, kids that were flying the 'hot-rods' of the day, aircraft that were 'state of the art'.

Another reinactor, Nate Rader of East Troy (WI) will live the week at AirVenture as a member of the 509th Parachute Infantry. The 509th, the "Gingerbread Boys" as they were known, were the country's first paratroopers. Nate brought tent, jeep with machine gun mount, and lots of other equipment typical of the Parachute Infantry.

Rader participates in other events throughout the Midwest - Rockford, IL and Lowell, IN. He told of a recent event where a 200 man German force was pitted against an Allied force numbering in excess of 225, made up of British, Greek, French and Russian military.

While visiting AirVenture, pause here to walk back in time, to experience what it was like to be in Italy in 1942, to see the equipment, to smell the smells, to hear the sounds. Visit with the reinactors and learn what they relive for us - a tribute for those that were there.

Those of you that know your history may find some 8th Air Force personnel in the area, Colonel Wisniewski, said,"8th Air Force crews may visit the base from time to time." Look close and see if you can note the difference in patches.

FMI: www.airventure.org