A few pics from last weekend

[Lauren]

Hello!
On Saturday I went to my second WWII battle. Kirsten and I were escaped Russian aristocrats turned Partisans in Italy who spoke French (say that three times fast ) I had a blast! We got to roll around in the dirt and shoot guns. What more could I ask for? Yes, I am a big tomboy at heart... and it was really cool seeing the big lights from the guns at night! We paired up with RC Halliburton and other of the British for a full fledged night attack and were entirely successful. We got shot down in a field by SS after we surrendered (they had us be the bait, so it spoiled their plan), and we had just a great time. Here's some silly pictures. Didn't take too many because I knew we'd be running around like mad:

Yeah, I was probably talking in this one...

And a girl's gotta have her lipstick...

 

[Nick Charles]

:eusa_clap BRAVO!!:eusa_clap

Those shots are great. Viva La France.

 

[AtomicBlonde]

Lauren, you are too cool!!

You have inspired me to quit messing around and get some stuff together for a Russian impression. A couple of my Civil War reenacting girlfriends do it, and they've been begging me to come out with them. I think its about time I loose the skirts and the nylons and head out to play in the dirt with the guys!

Those pictures are awesome! Thanks for sharing!!

-Jess

 

[Lauren]

Yippee! Thanks!

You should totally do it! It's a blast! Well, then again, I've never done Civil War re-enacting so I have nothing to compare it to. I did go to one Civil War re-enactment and really liked it, but I think I like "running with the boys" better, when they let me

 

[mysterygal]

love the pictures...you guys look great! looks like you all had a blast

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

Lauren, you are too cool!!

You have inspired me to quit messing around and get some stuff together for a Russian impression. A couple of my Civil War reenacting girlfriends do it, and they've been begging me to come out with them. I think its about time I loose the skirts and the nylons and head out to play in the dirt with the guys!

Those pictures are awesome! Thanks for sharing!!

-Jess

Russian is the only WWII impression where women can fight alongside the men. There are several women in my WWII Russian unit, including one who is the commissar.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Lauren, you look fierce! Those pictures are amazing!
It reminds me of "For WHom The Bell Tolls," though that is technically the wrong war.
Still, you look great; tough like a Valkyrie.

 

[Baggers]

Wow, Lauren, I'm very impressed! :eusa_clap That first picture is definitely my favorite. There's a look on your face that really speaks to me for some reason. Great work!.

But A couple of questions about your impression, if I may. By 1941, were there any Russian aristocrats still around? I mean, after 1917 I would imagine that the ranks of the upper class in Russia would have thinned out rather dramatically. And considering that most of the partisan groups in Italy leaned towards communism, did you have to keep your 1st person "backstories" to yourselves?

Believe me, I'm not knocking what you're doing at all. I'm just looking for a little clarification in case there was something I missed. I just want to help you strengthen your impressions.

I do like the speaking french part. You might fit in with a French underground group here in Texas.

And Hemingway, (affecting a heavy Russian accent) "she is strong, built like tractor!"

Cheers! :cheers1:

 

[Lauren]

Thanks!

You know, I'm clueless and I admit it. I do whatever they say I should do, I just dress the part. And it seems I'm always supposed to be something different- last time I was a French Interpreter travelling about with a corrospondent, next time I'm to be a woman with the French resistance. Seems I'm always doing something French, which is ok by me. This battle took place in Italy, so from what Kirsten told me (if I get it right), we fled Russia into Italy and joined the resistance. But I may have it wrong, I dunno. [huh]

 

[VintageJess]

Lauren,

Thanks for sharing! You ladies look AWESOME. I particularly love your pants and sweater. So glad that you had a nice time!

Jessica

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Very, very cool! "Het!! Don't mess with Laurenka!"

 

[CharlieH.]

Gee, those are swell!

 

[scotrace]

Wonderful Pictures!!!

 

[KAT]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap
i love the pictures! really nice! i bet you gals had a blast!
but next time re-enact for the germans :eusa_doh:

 

[J.B.Saxon]

Ladies,

you are playing your own leage! Absolutely awesome! Thats why I love reenacting at any time and impression. Chapeau - or hats off, I have to say. :eusa_clap

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

That's really looks like fun! I ought to look into something like that, trouble is, I work 50 hours a week.

 

[Baggers]

Thanks!

You know, I'm clueless and I admit it. I do whatever they say I should do, I just dress the part. And it seems I'm always supposed to be something different- last time I was a French Interpreter travelling about with a corrospondent, next time I'm to be a woman with the French resistance. Seems I'm always doing something French, which is ok by me. This battle took place in Italy, so from what Kirsten told me (if I get it right), we fled Russia into Italy and joined the resistance. But I may have it wrong, I dunno. [huh]

Hey, don't let me make you obsess over it. If the French thing works for you, run with it! Je suppose que vous parlez fran?ßais?. If so, please don't respond in kind as I just exhausted my entire vocabulary The important thing is to have fun with what you're doing. I don't want to take anything away from that. At the very least, it looks like you're getting some great improv experience in a historical setting (Who am I this time?) lol

Cheers!

 

[Lauren]

But I'm always open to learn! If you have any tips or history I'll take em!

Oui, je parle un petit peu de francais, mais pas tres bien.

 

[Baggers]

Well, since you've asked...
It would seem to me that any Russians who were a part of the aristocracy would have found life very unpleasant under the Bolsheviks and left as soon as possible with whatever wealth they could get away with. It might not be too much of a stretch that your family moved to Italy where they then could have been taken in by members of the Italian aristocracy. Of course, after 20 years or so, I would suppose that you would have also become fluent in Italian, so you might want to pick up some phrases in that language, "ciao, grazie, molto grazie, molto bene, Inglesi, Americani," that sort of thing. Although your french would be a great international tongue when conversing with the odd British officer with continental experience. As for the various groups of the Italian resistance, it's my understanding that many were avowed communists, so they might not have looked very kindly on anyone they felt were members of the landed classes.

I'm sorry that I can't get into this any deeper right now, perhaps I can do some more digging and come up with more info. My sources are two books: one by the commanding officer of a British unit known as Popski's Private Army, Lt. Col Vladimir Peniakoff (a Belgian born of Russian parents), and the other by his second in command, Park Yunnie. The unit, after operating in North Africa, went on to spend the majority of the war in Italy, working quite often with Italian resistance groups.

Hope this helps a bit.

Cheers!

 

[Lauren]

Very interesting! And good to know! Thanks so much, guess for next time I'll have to learn Italian