Welcome! C Company, 5th Rangers


The Premier Northeast World War II Ranger Living History Association
Home Event Calendar Event Photos Original Photos Video Clips Company Roll Join Us! Required Ranger Kit Research Compendium Recommended Reading Quartermaster Links Other Living History Units	5th RANGER INFANTRY BATTALION RESEARCH COMPENDIUM Welcome to the 5th Ranger Battalion Research Compendium. This portion of the website is really a book-in-progress, published online (and available in hard copy). These writings are a collection of all of the research our unit has done, as well as articles that benefit both our interpretations as World War II 5th Rangers as well as general 1940's living history articles. This organization was formed in 2003 by several living historians who had had previous experiences in this hobby as well as in other areas of living history, and has since become a staple of the North Eastern United States re-enacting experience. As living historians, we feel we have a duty to best portray the 5th Ranger Battalion in operation as possible, and as such, a lot of research has gone into our interpretations as well as how we act in the field, in garrison, and even in Class A dress. Much of the membership of this unit has spent hours of concerted time online, in museums, talking with 5th Ranger veterans and veteran's families, observing original photographs, as well as researching in museums to include the Smithsonian Institute, the Carlisle U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, and the Fort Lee Quartermaster Museum. That is why anything considered "farby" or blatantly incorrect is not allowed in this organization, a lot of work from dedicated people has gone into making this unit, and its reputation, what it is. Our research has been conclusive. World War II is a wonderful era to recreate in which we have the support and testimonials of our veterans as well as fantastic opportunities to view and base interpretations from images thanks to the photographic boom of the 1940s. Each article below has citations, and our work is accredited. It is divided into three segments: *Research, Methods,* and Replications. The Research Compendium is now only a series of online articles, but at the end of each year the volume will be printed, hopefully eventually seeing completion as a book. Though not available now, the Compendium article(s) will be published in December of each year and will be available to non-unit members in hard print for a donation fee to this organization. Each unit member will receive a free copy in January. A staple of this organization, from its inception, has been: "if you can document it, you can do it." Well, here is our documentation! These articles are the essence and the "guts" of the homage we are trying to pay through our accurate World War II interpretations. Please enjoy all of the hard work we have done! -Thomas E. Frost, Editor and Main Author VOLUME I - 2007 MATERIAL Uniforms, Equipment, Tentage, etc. The 5th Ranger Uniform: A Thorough Explanation of our Uniform Standards and Guide to the Interpretation The 5th Ranger Equipment: A Thorough Explanation of our Equipment Standards and Guide to the Interpretation The 5th Ranger Footwear: A Thorough Explanation of our Footwear Standards and Guide to the Interpretation To Net or Not to Net: Helmet Nets in the 5th Ranger Battalion in Operation O. D. Skivvies: Underwear of the World War II G.I. METHODS Living History Tips and Guides Advice and Bylaws to Living History Success The 90/10 Rule REPLICATIONS Interpretation-specific Replications, Guides, Patterns, and How-To's The 5th Ranger Helmet: A Thorough Guide to Helmet Insignia and Printable (.PDF) Stencils/Templates VOLUME II - 2008 MATERIAL Uniforms, Equipment, Tentage, etc. 1944 Table of Organization and Equipment: What you should carry specific to your rank The Little Things: Accessories that Add Realism METHODS Living History Tips and Guides 1944 Table of Organization and Equipment: How is a Ranger Company set up? Junk on the Bunk vs. the Environmental Display: Why and How we do what we do 1940's G.I. and Civilian Slang and Lingo Lucky Strike Greens: *NOT* a World War II cigarette Articles Property of "A" Co.,5th Ranger Battalion (re-created)