Allied Training Day

Blimey Stephen, these has been going on for ages - your as bad as Guy for reading posts on the forum!

I was hoping that Stubble's invite to the overseas lot wouldn't come to anything, but it looks like a few are coming over (or say they are).

Thing is, why come all this way for a poxy training day and not a game proper - I fear that a) Doughboys won't get anything out of it and b) the foreigners will have wasted time and money and get the wrong impression of what we are up to.

I've been corresponding with Rhys from the beginning - I set up the venue and yes, I will be going.

Because it's all in the Axis forum and I don't read that much. I expected the discussion to be in the DB forum or in the Training Days section.

Looking at those threads (now I've noticed them) I'm concerned about the inequality of numbers.

Rhys originally asked for 10 Germans to come along just to help out and have a good day.

Now there are 25 Germans turning up to fight against 13 Allied (with three more as unconfirmed)

I can't help but feel the focus of this has been lost somewhere along the line.

What's Rhys's take on it Dave?

He was annoyed at first esp. as he wasn't asked but it's tempered with the fact that Stubble offer do do the training sessions for them (as they hadn't a clue).

Stubble's plan was for a big barrage at the end. He had been erroneously told that big bangs couldn't be used as Phoenix so 'decided' to take the event elsewhere. I had already booked it and Rhys didn't want it moved and besides I told them bangs were fine, so that was sorted. Worryingly, Stubble 'volunteered' Major and the Pioneers (Che and Carl) to set up the pyros (without asking them and without thinking about Andy's condition - he wouldn't be able to get up into the woods). No idea what Stubble has done on that front - to sort out a wired barrage I would have thought you would want a site recce and a plan first! I know the site very well and exactly where to set one up but meh, he hasn't asked me.

I was hoping this foreign invite would come to nothing as it is daft - however they are still expressing intention to come. I don't know what Stubble has told them as to an itinerary or what they are expecting.

Last night I asked Webby how the training day preparations were going and he avoided answering so it looks like Rhys is handing it all. I haven't spoken to Rhys about the event for a couple of weeks but I will start up again to confirm all the site arrangements esp with regard to sleeping.

OK, I've pinged Rhys a PM just to ask what's going on from a 'game plan' POV as I'm sure I'll be asked to do something at some point!

I do want to take on more of an observer role at this one to see if any natural leaders come out of their shells. The Allied group lacks leadership (apart from you and I) in quite a big way. There are one or two people who are good but unwilling and one or two who are willing, but not good!

I'm keen to see them get a real sense of identity and fun in the whole event. What I don't want to see is a bunch of demoralised people a la CR because Stubble has brought in a force twice as strong and walked all over them.

...we should be able to pull in a whole platoon of SS for this. That would be fantastic, allow us to do some really good manouvres and be a great photoshoot oportunity for us.

Heh, I was waiting for Stubble to use the word 'photoshoot' in connection with the US training day...

This has now gone waaaaaaaaaaay beyond a joke. SH needs reigning in. Or he he can fuck off as far as im concerned. I've chatted to Gadge about this, and it just seems that SH does all these "training days" just so he can get a fuckload of pics, and in some way stroke his own ego.

It's something to do with being a reenactor wannabe, I'm sure. The first thing he immediately does is post up stuff on the reenactor forums - actually, Gadge does exactly the same thing. And a bit like Gadge and AI mag articles - something to do with getting approval (but hey, I'm no psychologist!). The difference is that Gadge does it for self-esteem (how many photos have we seen of him in his back yard wearing different outfits) whereas Chris isn't bothered about seeing his face in the photos. I'm guessing it's something of a throwback to his army days, given the fixation for sections.

Anyhoo, he hasn't created a problem yet, players seem happy to go along with it, indeed some are very enthusiastic about seeing photos and videos of themselves - I guess we all do to some degree of another.

And these aren't our events so he can get up to what he wants to. However, if he came to one of our events (he didn't go to Wotan and isn't coming to Eagle) and he started farting about with photos and disrupting the event then, yes, I would be forthright in telling him what's what.

I'm tempted to have a chat to Rhys and ask him if he wants to limit the German numbers to 10. Bit late for that now though I guess. Imagine the toy throwage from Chris!!!

Has Rhys replied to you PM yet Stephen?

BTW Stubble hasn't booked for Varsity either - wonder if he will go for the Russian game, he doesn't really have an excuse not to...

"reenactor wannabe"

Yup, I think you've hit the nail on the head. First thing he does when he has some pics is bung em up on Panzergrenadier and wwiireenacting. It's almost like he's looking for approval of some kind.

I don't think he's an Airsofter that does WW2, he's a reenactor wannabe that does Airsoft (photoshoots) - cos he sure as hell isn't a player! - after all, how many events (not training days) has he either 1: bothered coming to. 2: stayed for the whole event.

'Erm... Churchills turned up on Sunday only (and was disappointed no one wanted to take photos at the end - everyone was too shagged), didn't go to Wotan, didn't go to Bulge, played Saturday only of D-Day, did go to Arnhem (can't remenber if he stayed all day - actually I only remember him at the parade!).

Answer to your question Jay - one game (maybe..)

I think he disappeared early from Arnhem as well...

I'm hoping he doesn't drag the whole enthusiasm of the members away from Games and towards being photowhores ....thats not my interest , I know what a cnut I look , i don't need more photos

Having chatted to Jay at length , the hope is he fucks off sharpish . He cretainly doesn't add much to the party as far as games go .

to be fair at Arnhem he was usefull as a squad leader for most of the day IIRC . Since then he's been feck all good , even at Hurtgen he wanted ot fuck off and do his own thing .

Re training days , back in the early 80's I used to teach poxy army cadets. Eventually I became an SI before discovering shagging, drinking and "other distractions" . Crap soldier but good instructor .
the point of this ?
We if we as CiA want to run training perhaps as part of an event, I'm more than happy to wake up the memories.

...to be fair at Arnhem he was usefull as a squad leader for most of the day IIRC

Was he? I can't remember a great deal except that no one wanted to be squad-led in the afternoon!!

We if we as CiA want to run training perhaps as part of an event, I'm more than happy to wake up the memories.

Blimey, that's a surprising remark!

The thing we have to bear in mind is that while we concentrate on organising four games a year of our own style, others have different agendas - WW2 airsoft isn't just CiA any more. More players/reenactors/sites and even a trade magazine are involved. It's a double-edged sword of course - on the one hand we wanted to expand the genre, on the other we lose control.
Still, for the time being CiA is the focus and hub of WW2 airsoft - the 'brand' is still strong, we are still at the forefront, and in peoples minds generally CiA is WW2 airsoft and WW2 airsoft is CiA.

Pissing people off would be a bad PR move - if Stubble threw a public strop and pointed fingers it could all get fractious and political, something that up to now has been delightfully absent, at least publicly.

Suffer it, ignore it, whatever, but what people want to do is up to them. Unless CiA are directly affected then let the weirdness continue.

I'll keep surprising you Chommers from time to time to keep you on your toes
The point is although I'm not desperate, we could put on rival TDs to help people like the doughboys out. Cadet level stuff is well suited to airsoft , small chucnks...easily digested ..good results.

Re SH at Arnhem, I was using Chris and his SS squad all the way through the morning . he was effective IMHO .

WW2 airsoft isn't just CiA any more. More players/reenactors/sites and even a trade magazine are involved. It's a double-edged sword of course - on the one hand we wanted to expand the genre, on the other we lose control.

We can all see this, however we could do with deciding either to be taken along with the flow, make a stand out on our own , or try to lead in in the direction we would prefer. We've discussed this at length and with varying degrees of vehemence , I'm still not sure what we are planning
I personally don't want to seen this genre directed by money grabbing editors or sites , after a while it'll flop when the cash slows down .
Equally whilst I like having reenactors, our experience shows they make poor airsofters , and confuse the board with babble / devisiveness .

Our original constitution identifed both these traits and sought to protect against them, thats why I think we can take the moral high ground and lead by example.

I'm not sure a laissez faire attitude will work much longer , there are too many vested interested cropping up .

PS I wouldn't look to publically fall out with Chris however we "managed" Gadge and Richard into a position that left them few options ( mainly by standing back and letting them dig their own holes) , I don't think Mr Leonard is much smarter TBH .

I do have a relaxed viewpoint, that's true. I don't think it's up to us to tell (for example) Stubble what he should or shouldn't be doing. It's somewhat odd perhaps but people are happy doing what he is doing - incidentally, they are all active players and not a 'different' crowd.

We haven't changed but the 'market' has - a bigger market has more facets and niches to fill. I'm not the slightest bit interested in the workings of AEGs or indeed scratch building them - others are. Has that got anything directly to do with airsoft, any more than leaning how commands were given in WW2? Yes or no or even maybe, depending on your viewpoint.

Reenactors bring something to the mix and we may well swing a few round to our form of 'fun' (I had an interesting chat to Poacher last weekend - nice bloke as it happens and his kit wasn't any better than the airsofters ).

We do have the moral high ground and we do lead by example - all games have adopted out rules, we are the controlling centre of the community - what more do you want?

Interestingly, Josh's WW2 program for 2008 has left people cold - cancelled first event, promise of withdrawing others so maybe leaving just the big two. First and Only talking about just two games this year. Hell, we might just equal them both put together. (Last weekend I detected a real coldness towards Gunman whereas we have a lot of warmth and affection - he slipped up by filling the calendar with events. It looked like he was trying to take over, and people didn't like that.)

We all know that Chris will remove himself at some point - either a strop or a move to reenacting. He hasn't caused any damage so far, indeed it's been positive as far as I can see. OK, he's not interested in airsoft much and I'm desperate to hear from Rhys about his current views, but well see.

But the only thing that should concern ourselves directly is what we do and the games we run. What else can we do - chuck people out of the forum because they are mad, deluded, weirdos or geeks? Ban reenactors from attending our games?

I do have a relaxed viewpoint, that's true. I don't think it's up to us to tell (for example) Stubble what he should or shouldn't be doing. It's somewhat odd perhaps but people are happy doing what he is doing - incidentally, they are all active players and not a 'different' crowd.

Yes fair enough but not all of us are happy to be just carried along

We haven't changed but the 'market' has - a bigger market has more facets and niches to fill. I'm not the slightest bit interested in the workings of AEGs or indeed scratch building them - others are. Has that got anything directly to do with airsoft, any more than leaning how commands were given in WW2? Yes or no or even maybe, depending on your viewpoint.

Well... learn ....you can't rely on Kermit to fix yer toys

Reenactors bring something to the mix and we may well swing a few round to our form of 'fun' (I had an interesting chat to Poacher last weekend - nice bloke as it happens and his kit wasn't any better than the airsofters ).

Nah they're all nobbers ...ban the lot

We do have the moral high ground and we do lead by example - all games have adopted out rules, we are the controlling centre of the community - what more do you want?

Hang on , last post you said WWII airsoft wasn't CiA anymore Confuddled

Interestingly, Josh's WW2 program for 2008 has left people cold - cancelled first event, promise of withdrawing others so maybe leaving just the big two. First and Only talking about just two games this year. Hell, we might just equal them both put together. (Last weekend I detected a real coldness towards Gunman whereas we have a lot of warmth and affection - he slipped up by filling the calendar with events. It looked like he was trying to take over, and people didn't like that.)

Yeps Josh has seriously misjudged the market

We all know that Chris will remove himself at some point - either a strop or a move to reenacting. He hasn't caused any damage so far, indeed it's been positive as far as I can see. OK, he's not interested in airsoft much and I'm desperate to hear from Rhys about his current views, but well see.

Sooner rather than later hopefully

But the only thing that should concern ourselves directly is what we do and the games we run. What else can we do - chuck people out of the forum because they are mad, deluded, weirdos or geeks? Ban reenactors from attending our games?

Ban people who are nobbers, of course ....it's our feckin club... ein volk... ein Forum.... ein fuhrer ....ein Kermit.

Kidding aside , I'm off to do an open day tommorrow in kit ! Tell ya more on Monday .

Meh, I can strip an AEG, change the bushes and re-shim along with the best of ya, I just ain't interested in it!

I said 'WW2 airsoft isn't just CiA any more' - not at all contrary to 'we are the controlling centre of the community'

Kidding aside , I'm off to do an open day tommorrow in kit ! Tell ya more on Monday

OMFG, you turncoat! Come to think of it Jay, Steve and me are the only true WW2-ers - you are still a DPM nobber
Heh, let us know whether the site is any use to us

By the way, I've written to Tony Lewis - I'll let you know his reply...

Meh, I can strip an AEG, change the bushes and re-shim along with the best of ya, I just ain't interested in it!

I said 'WW2 airsoft isn't just CiA any more' - not at all contrary to 'we are the controlling centre of the community'

Kidding aside , I'm off to do an open day tommorrow in kit ! Tell ya more on Monday

OMFG, you turncoat! Come to think of it Jay, Steve and me are the only true WW2-ers - you are still a DPM nobber
Heh, let us know whether the site is any use to us

By the way, I've written to Tony Lewis - I'll let you know his reply...

Speaks the man who plays in DPMS & a UN Beret FFS Sold the SA80 yet ?

Anyway ignoring yers uncouth remarks , I was invited to go and play at the Ex Site by Airbourne 55 (Nick) who runs it and also comes to our games. ( I know him through the IED mafia as well ) Yep ...first open day since....um ...last September...when I went to Proteus to check that out.

Anyway , bollox to all the jokes about being the only German in the village , the site is really good, and I reckon we could get a game there no sweat, as Taffy the co owner is also keen .

Similar to IEd they are pretty open with what goes on , camping is fine, and there is a youth hostel nearby that does them deals for those not keen on camping .

It's probably around 500 acres , near Mold south of Chester and is a really interesting site. It has a nice bit of English Broadleaf wood, some heather and gorse moorland , several large hills, a lake, a quarry and the whole site is Landy Friendly . In all about 1 mile by half wide.

Soes anyway I'll book it for an A2C DPM cockheads vs ACU tosswads weekend and make my fortune or alternatively we could look to use it for a really cool Autumn 24 hour event . You do could a training weekend , living history weekend , battle weekend , the site would take em all easily .

I'll find a link to their not so good website later