"Low bookings" thread.

Well, firstly I'd say that Andy I'm sure was talking of low bookings with other events (including his), not CiA in particular. We have done OK so far - OK, not the instant filling of the booking list on day one like we have had in the past but certainly we got there in the end with no dramas. I don't expect any differently for the rest of the calendar.

But yes, some regulars are dropping off. As you said elsewhere, under 18s are a lost cause (no use to us anyway), likewise students are pretty thin pickings. The problem with reenactors is their reenacting is Easter to September/October - plenty looking to do stuff over winter though. Now, I have had many goes at extolling WW2 airsoft on the mainstream forums and generally speaking it is a waste of time. But there is a drip, drip effect by word of mouth as reenactors attend and pass the word on. This works. One thing to have a crack at though is the disaffected reenactor - those fed up with samey shows, pointless BF battles, peer group bitching and similar.

So, I'm confident that things for us will be OK (many people really DO look forward to a CiA event) but we do need to keep on the ball. One way would be to include in the mix 'light' events that we have spoken of but not really done - low effort on our part but maintaining the CiA quality profile. 'Starter' events though I think are the province of others now - Zero Bravo, Gunman etc.

Now I seem to have got my brain back into some semblence of working order (I blame the 03:00 lock-in at the pub last night), i'll jot a few points down:

We have seen an ever decreasing amount of activity on the seperate "team" sections of the forums (9th SS etc etc), so people seem to have drifted off to "outside" units (be it PBI, DC, 16th SS) - I think that David mentioned elsewhere that people like to have a sense of belonging - and he's right. so, how about a shake-up?

To get that side of things rocking again, we need a couple of strong characters to head up new units....

Good idea Jay. Now then, where, outside the moderator team, can we find any strong characters?

christ on a crutch finally got on line at home

my new address

35 Couching Street
Watlington
OX49 5QF

re this thread ...I dunno .....reenactors have been hard to engage, airsofters are fickle ...and a lot of people have been doing this long enough ot turn elsewhere .

re bookings ...could just be the curse of calling anything Jedburgh

Good idea Jay. Now then, where, outside the moderator team, can we find any strong characters?

Well, i've got more time on my hands these days, so more than happy to take the lead on starting a DF Regt, Das Reich Div group (logical choice really - they fought from France in 1940 right the way through to the end. On both fronts)

If you've got the time to do it, go for it, it should be awesome!

i'll work up a press release, then stick it up here for edits and suggestions.

It won't be massively heavy duty, but it will require a bit of commitment from the punters.

OK, Press Release:

With CiA's move towards putting on events that cover the whole timeframe of WW2, not to mention that Eastern Front action will also be portrayed more and more after the success of the Borszyn Loop event, it is now time to put together a German unit that fought on both fronts throughout the war.

To this end I will be taking the lead on a group that will portray troops of the Der Fuhrer Regiment of the Waffen SS. This regiment fought in Poland, France, Russia, France, The Ardennes, Hungary & Austria. First as part of the SS-VT, then part of the 2nd SS Div - "Das Reich".

As to rank, thats a tricky one. I don't want a group comprised of just officers or NCO's - it looks crap. However, there will be no hard-and-fast rules over rank.

Uniform Requirements

The uniform requirements are simple, and initially at least, we will seek to portray Infantry soldiers of the DF Regiment from the mid-war period onwards. Later, there may be the opportunity to diversify into supporting units such as Nachrichtruppen or Pionier.

(required)

Tunic: M36, M40 or M42 pattern tunics
Insignia: Der Fuhrer cuff title, DF shoulder boards or slip-on cyphers.
Trousers: Straight leg or Keillhosen
Headgear: Sidecap, M35 or M40 pattern helmet
Footwear: Short boots or jackboots
Belt Order: Rig including ammo pouches, yoke, E-tool and pouch, Breadbag, waterbottle & messtins, Zelt (Plane Tree or Oakleaf) & Zelt Straps. Given that some sites are iffy about bladed items, bayonets and frogs will not be compulsory.

(optional)

Camo Smock: Plane Tree, Burred Edge or Oakleaf Patterns
Helmet Cover: Plane Tree, Burred Edge or Oakleaf Patterns
A-frame and bag

Recommendations

Given that this unit, although initially being aimed more towards mid to late war actions, fought throughout the war, it is recommended that if you have to buy new kit then buy kit that was used throughout the war - i.e. Type 1 smocks and helmet covers, and M36 or M40 pattern tunics. A Type 1 smock will cover you from 1939 to 1945, a Type 2 wont!

However, that doesnt mean that all those natty Dot 44 tunics and trousers can be left in the closet, as for 1944 onwards diversity of camouflage & clothing would be accurate to the original unit.

Notes

I'm not going to beat about the bush here; i'm going to come straight to the point. DF needs to be a pro-active group. It needs people who can commit to it - and people with the energy and foresight to drive it forwards. Training days will be organised - and DF will be expected to operate as a unit at events. If you fancy being part of a group that wants to get stuck in and acheive what they are tasked to do, then DF is for you. If being the "lone wolf" is your thing, then look elsewhere. I will put my heart and soul into this, and anyone who signs up to this will be expected to do the same. The more thats put into it, the more that people get out of it.

One last thing though..............this is supposed to be about having FUN, so you'll need your sense of humour in addition to everything else!

Interested? Drop me a PM!

Regards,

Jay.

Suggestions/Modifications please gents!

Looks fine to me. Good luck with it.

They fought in France twice?! Other than that, it's great.

They fought in France twice?! Other than that, it's great.

Yeah, they were billeted there for a while. Lots of punch ups

Good spot Steve - i'd completely missed that!