[Sticky] Operation Iskra

Yes the bandages where put in because we are not issuing ammo and therefore that is a little control we have over how heavy the engagements are. At least looking back that is what I understood we were doing? Bandages sorted anyway.

Will go through the KIA etc. on the day as its an issue that a lot of people don't register so better highlighted at briefing.

Having thoughts about the mission timelines, thinking of having a change to compensate for the number in balance again this will be only guidelines as numbers may even but want to be for armed.

Will get it sorted and posted back, none of the missions will change just the order and maybe some roles within.

Right have spoken to Tony.

He is not going to be available to let us in on site until 7p.m. on the Friday.

I have a suggestion could we meet local pub beforehand and so we can have a paper walk through the day and then be at site for 7 to meet with Tony I am sure there is somewhere quite local? Can we all confirm so I can let Tony know asap. Thanks.

There is a pub in Grafton Underwood, but helpfully it closes from 3pm until 6pm. There is a Harvester on the A43 NW of Kettering (The Sun Dew) I guess we could meet up there.

Cheers
Martin

Proposed new time line:

Based on current numbers:

1) Stage 3 - Bombardment
2) Stage 1 - Pocket (change will be the Russian re enforcements wont be used
3) Stage 4- Pilot (change area being used perhaps)

Lunch

4) Stage 2 - Water towers
5) Stage 5 - Breakout (This is the one I will do some changes too, rather than doing the five point can we do as follows.)
This is nicked from Josh at the Border Clash. Basically we have a start point and a finish point for the Russians and a defensive line for the Germans.
Idea is to get from one point to the other as many times as possible, The higher the number the greater the breakout from the city is. Can finish this to
with the flag charge should we want to.

Can we check we agree with that? check timing etc.

will produce a set/prop list based on this and get back to you.

going to order some grenades and smokes etc. within the next week.

any ideas for little party favours? last time we had the Soldbuchs and other stuff have an idea for the Russians but if Martin or Tim have something that would be nice I know its last minute so don't worry if you cant come up with anything.

Right have spoken to Tony.

He is not going to be available to let us in on site until 7p.m. on the Friday.

I have a suggestion could we meet local pub beforehand and so we can have a paper walk through the day and then be at site for 7 to meet with Tony I am sure there is somewhere quite local? Can we all confirm so I can let Tony know asap. Thanks.

There isn't any way he could post us the key or leave it somewhere for us to pick up? I don't mind paying for a copy. Otherwise, we are basically going to be onsite after dark.

Cheers
Martin

Right have spoken to Tony.

He is not going to be available to let us in on site until 7p.m. on the Friday.

I have a suggestion could we meet local pub beforehand and so we can have a paper walk through the day and then be at site for 7 to meet with Tony I am sure there is somewhere quite local? Can we all confirm so I can let Tony know asap. Thanks.

There isn't any way he could post us the key or leave it somewhere for us to pick up? I don't mind paying for a copy. Otherwise, we are basically going to be onsite after dark.

Cheers
Martin

There is a double lock on the gate one being a security lock so he will have to do initial opening up. To be honest looking at the list for set up the main bits that are going out are the pilot and drop boxes (which have grenades and bandages in them) which we cant do till they get on site with Gav and Chris so they will probably be that saturday morning. Everything else is being taken out with the troops.
Thats why I suggested the run through in the comfort of somewhere then we can always have a rough walk through when we get on site as we have the roads to go about.
Tim and Gareth your thoughts please?

There is a double lock on the gate one being a security lock so he will have to do initial opening up. To be honest looking at the list for set up the main bits that are going out are the pilot and drop boxes (which have grenades and bandages in them) which we cant do till they get on site with Gav and Chris so they will probably be that saturday morning. Everything else is being taken out with the troops.
Thats why I suggested the run through in the comfort of somewhere then we can always have a rough walk through when we get on site as we have the roads to go about.
Tim and Gareth your thoughts please?

Fair enough, I think you are right. We don't really have any other option, and yes, we can walk around the tracks - best to bring a torch or two. At least we can have something decent for tea in a pub first.

After playing with Deans collapsible stretcher at Zog, I have a thought for our pilots stretcher - we could just use one of the 'parachutes' folded into carry mat. If they are groundsheets they will be plenty strong and big enough.

If we need to buy any cardboard boxes let me know (Staples is fairly near to my work), similarly any Russian flags - there are a fair few on eBay or Amazon, although generally of huge 5'x3' variety.

Getting excited now.

Cheers
Martin

Yes that's fine. I would have preferred to have had a walk around in the daylight but at least we have all played on the site before.

Chommers has sent me a PM making the very obvious point that the land is open to the public. We can just park up by the gate and walk in through the Kissing Gate. So we could do that in the afternoon.

Cheers
Martin

Guys I am happy to do whatever, Just let me know what the plan is.

Id rather have a walk through

I'd rather have a look around too, we can still meet Seg at the gate at 7pm to open up and get the cars down.

How long do we need for a walk through? I reckon a couple of hours at least - we may as well cover the route for all the missions, and if it still light when we get in, we can position the parachutist then. How about we meet at the gate at 3.30 and go for a wander?

I'll do printouts of the mission routes for all of us, and the order of mission sheets, as we'll need to make sure we've got the start and end times agreed and noted down.

Let me know if I need to go and buy boxes and/or Russian flags.

Cheers
Martin

Yes that would be good.

Regarding Russian flags I was assuming Kie had some. If not I can bring those as well

3.30 is good for me. will have a clear out of the kit and see exactly what I have tomorrow and will report back

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So I have:

1) 900 days gate banner
2) 3 no. satchel bags
3) 1 no. russian mapcase
4) 2 no. wooden ammo boxes
5) 1 no. mg42 ammo tin
6) 1 no. xl ruski flag and flagpole
7) 6 no. medium size ruski flags
2 no. trip mines plus charges ( need trip wire)
9) no. of smaller ammo cardboard boxes
10) no. of fake german demo charge
11) 2 no. bags of the fake barbed wire
12) 1 large camo net

Got on order some bangs and smokes through Chris

Got to cut up the bedsheets for bandages

Think thats pretty much everything from me?

20 bangs and half dozen smokes ordered and paid for. Coming with Chris.

Right pretty much week to go.
Have we got everything we can think of or spoken to whom ever we needed to speak to?
Are we all down for the 3.30 at site next Friday?
Are we all pretty clued up on the missions, I know Friday walkthrough will help but as long as we all have the basic ideas sussed.
Anything else we need to address?

I think the main thing is that Seg actually turns up to open the gate at 7pm!

I can't think of anything else, we'll have to sort out the mission timings on Friday and make sure we all know the right order and planned start/end times for each. I'd like to clarify how we see the bandages working, again, we can do that on Friday.

Gareth has been very quiet recently, is he still OK to come?

Cheers
Martin

I've sent Gav a reminder to bring the dummy, I have a pair of blue overalls and some boots we can dress him in, unless anyone else has anything better?. I can also provide a belt and y straps as a harness. I've got some thin rope I can add to the dustsheet to make it look more like a parachute, and a map case for him with some intel in it.