Wartime Productions

Wartime Productions Production services for Film & TV. Costume/Vehicles/Props/Supporting Artists I am self-represented via my own personal period network wartimeproductions.co.uk.

My name is David Forde and I am an Associate Producer/Production Coordinator/ walk-on-actor/supporting artiste. I am a specialist in playing period roles including both Wartime and Post-War. I own all my own uniforms and costume from this period. I also have an extensive collection of props from this era including period vehicles. Full Clean Driving Licence - Current DBS - Covid trained - Equity M

ember - Bectu Member

I personally own a collection of Allied & Axis uniforms and am also the owner of a number of WW2 vehicles and a large selection of WW2 props. I have worked on several series of the National Geographic channels 'N**i Megastructures' and other WW2 documentary series and major WW2 films. David has also worked with Theatre productions such as 'Alone in Berlin' Two Hats Films ' and Calling The Tune'.

31/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

Some excellent progress on our vehicles over the Christmas period. Engine mounted on our Sd. Kfz.222 project, along with...
29/12/2025

Some excellent progress on our vehicles over the Christmas period. Engine mounted on our Sd. Kfz.222 project, along with a new engine and gearbox fitted to our Sd. Kfz.233.

The Battle of the BulgeAfter the battle, December 1944Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2Kampfgruppe von BöhmFollowing the ba...
28/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
After the battle, December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

Following the battle, the disabled and captured vehicles of Kampfgruppe von Böhm were transported to a collection point by both US and British forces located in a field to the northeast of Celles.

Photos courtesy of Imperial War Museum

The Battle of the BulgeAfter the battle, December 1944Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2Kampfgruppe von BöhmThe image shows ...
28/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
After the battle, December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

The image shows a German Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 233 (8-rad) heavy armoured car being inspected by a US soldier at a vehicle collection point near Foy-Notre-Dame.

The Battle of the BulgeAfter the battle, December 1944Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2Kampfgruppe von BöhmA British soldie...
28/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
After the battle, December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

A British soldier inspects an abandoned German Sd.Kfz.233 armoured car at Celles, Belgium, December 1944.

This Sd.Kfz.233 was part of Kampfgruppe von Böhm, the 2. Panzer Aufklärungs-abteilung of the 2nd Panzer Division.

It is likely one of the initial vehicles delivered to the collection point, as there are no other vehicles or equipment positioned behind it, and the tow cables are secured to the front. Observe the jack on the ground next to it and the jeep visible in the background.

The Battle of the Bulge, launched as Germany’s final major offensive on the Western Front, was defined by rapid American...
27/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge, launched as Germany’s final major offensive on the Western Front, was defined by rapid American mobilisation and critical logistical failures. While the German "Wacht am Rhein" operation initially caught the Allies off guard, the reinforcement of the Ardennes grew from 80,000 to over 600,000 Allied troops by the end of December 1944.

Key factors that led to the German defeat included:

• Logistical Failures: German forces suffered from severe fuel shortages, relying on the hope of capturing Allied depots that never materialised.

• Stiff Resistance: Unexpectedly stubborn defence at critical junctions, such as the Siege of Bastogne, delayed the German timetable.

• Weather and Airpower: When heavy fog lifted around December 23, the Allied Air Forces resumed operations, decimating German supply lines and armoured columns.

• Terrain: The narrow, icy roads of the Ardennes hindered the manoeuvrability of heavy German Tiger and Panther tanks.

By January 25, 1945, the "bulge" in the Allied line was neutralised, marking the end of the offensive and the exhaustion of Germany's final strategic reserves.

The Battle of the Bulge27th December 1944Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2Kampfgruppe von BöhmOn December 27th, US forces ...
27/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
27th December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

On December 27th, US forces continued their operations in the area surrounding Celles and Foy Notre Dame, successfully capturing an additional 228 enlisted personnel, 22 non-commissioned officers, and 2 officers. The following vehicles were also seized during these operations: 1 MK VI tank, 10 MK V tanks, 4 MK IV tanks, 8 eight-wheeled armored cars, 3 six-wheeled armored cars, 2 88mm self-propelled guns, 46 field artillery pieces, 1 170mm self-propelled gun, 1 105mm self-propelled gun, 1 half-track (AA), 33 motorcycles, 33 half-tracks, 58 trucks, 17 sedans, 15 Volkswagens, 10 command vehicles, 12 American 4x4 ton trucks, 2 American 3/4 ton weapons carriers, and 2 American 2 ton trucks.

The personnel and vehicles of the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion of the 2nd Panzer Division that were captured at Foy Notre Dame included 125 enlisted men and 5 officers, one of whom was the Battalion Commander. Additionally, they captured or destroyed 1 six-wheeled armoured car, 4 armoured half-tracks, 1 75mm self-propelled anti-tank gun, 2 3/4-ton weapons carriers, 1 four-wheeled armoured car, 3 trucks, 5 staff cars, and 1 American 3-ton 4x4 vehicle.

The Battle of the Bulge26th December 1944Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2Kampfgruppe von BöhmThe 9th Panzer Division made...
26/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
26th December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

The 9th Panzer Division made a desperate last-ditch effort to save the 2nd Panzer but was thwarted by a severe artillery bombardment and assaults from the US 2nd Armoured.

Under intense attack and with ammunition depleting, all hope was lost for the 2nd Panzer Division. Major von Böhm’s Kampfgruppe suffered particularly heavy losses, and on Boxing Day, Böhm, along with the remaining 148 men under his command, surrendered.

At 15:30 hours, General Hasso von Manteuffel, the commander of the 5th Panzer Army, authorised the 2nd Panzer to retreat. Subsequently, the 2nd Panzer Division HQ instructed the survivors within the encirclement to destroy their heavy equipment and make an attempt to break out of the pocket, heading back east towards the German lines.

The Battle of the Bulge25th December 1944Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2Kampfgruppe von BöhmAs the British 3rd Royal Tan...
25/12/2025

The Battle of the Bulge
25th December 1944

Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 2
Kampfgruppe von Böhm

As the British 3rd Royal Tank Regiment advanced towards the German encirclement, progress was impeded by friendly fire from the US 2nd Armoured Division. Consequently, the British forces received orders to hold their position and observe as the US 2nd Armoured Division Combat Command B (CCB) Task Force A, along with the US Air Force, conducted operations in the area, targeting the isolated German Kampfgruppen.

With the skies clearing, a substantial number of Allied aircraft emerged, effectively engaging all targets on the roads, supported by the formidable US P-38 Lightning fighter-bombers.

Kampfgruppe von Böhm found itself entirely surrounded, with no possibility of rescue.

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London Borough Of Islington

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+447830452841

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WW2 PRODUCTION SERVICES FOR FILM & TV

Wartime Productions was initially set up as the professional film & TV service of the 21. Infanterie WW2 Historical society and has since grown into a WW2 production network of some of the best UK based WW2 production suppliers. Run by myself (David Forde) I also organise the 21. Infanterie WW2 Historical society.

Over the past decade, our services have been called upon to partake in numerous film and TV productions mainly as extras but also some prestigious productions along with even music videos and TV advertisements.

One of our biggest problems we encountered was while we always enjoyed the film and TV involvement our society wasn't really set up to manage anything other than one or two productions per year as we already had a full calendar of events and activities planned for the membership.