PD's ideas

Yep. Paul seems to be more communicative and open to suggestion than Josh, so my concerns about that are allayed a little.

Dave, I could do the usual thing of getting to yours then going to Barrrnsleh (pron) from there. I am extremely busy at the moment though, so can't guarantee I can make it. Throw some dates out and I'll see what I can make.

Yes, no probs. I'll consult the kitchen calendar tonight! Guy is in London today so I don't expect a response from him until tomorrow.

Dear god...............are we talking about North of the M4? You know, Barbarian country....

Sorry, long post but this private battle is coming up April 19th/20th. I know we can't get but here is the detail, for information only. Reenactors are famously tight when it comes to paying for events - they get good value for £15!!

Dukes Covert private battle at Dukes Covert Scout ground, Ancaster, outside Gratham, Lincs. We're after allies, axis, soviets and partisans for this one. This is the last days of the Reich, hence why all major powers within a short distance of each other. We have the props from the Death Factory (Ashby) coming, including bunker, sandbag positions, dragons teeth and mine field (which will be impassable). We have a long night exercise planned with flares and pryo, and pryo throughout the day.

Weapons hire from John Oxlade at hireandfire@hotmail.com

Here is the warning order and outline of the plan for the weekend:

Day 1

Part 1 from 10:00 hrs

Axis Objective: Obtain intelligence from allied field HQ prior to breakout.

Patrols from Axis units encounter Allied forward positions and initiate contact.

**NOTE: THERE WILL BE MINED AREAS IN NO MANS LAND. THESE WILL HAVE LIVE PYRO AND WILL HAVE TO BE MANOEUVERED AROUND.PATROLS COMING WITHIN A SPECIFIC (BUT SAFE) DISTANCE OF THESE AREAS WILL SET OFF THESE CHARGES AND BE DEEMED INCAPICITATED. EXPLOSIVES OFFICER AND HIS PYRO TEAM WILL BE IN SOLE CONTROL OF PYRO FOR REASONS OF SAFETY. **

Allied units to return fire on contact. Axis patrols to make a fighting withdrawal to amass main force for attack on Allied lines for intelligence gathering prior to main German breakout thru Allied lines. Axis then to attack main Allied positions in strength (This can mean capture of allied personnel to determine positions, strengths and weaknesses of Allied front).Allied prisoners to be kept in a predetermined holding area.

German troops deemed “hit” are to remain in position unless wounded these are to make there way back to their HQ for treatment if possible under fire. Under no circumstances are surrendered prisoners to be shot.
Allied lines to remain static during this offensive.
Axis commander’s to utilise intelligence to plan main breakthrough upon first light of Sunday.

Allied troops “hit” are to remain in position until German forces have withdrawn having completed their objectives.

The signal for German mission success and ceasefire will be 2 sharp whistle blasts repeated TWICE.

German troops then to remain at their line field positions on a stand-to footing.

Part2 Prisoner rescue

Allied objective: to assault Axis positions and release held prisoners and determine German strength.
Allied Commanders will send out squad sized units in an effort to locate and recapture Allied personnel.

**NOTE: THERE WILL BE MINED AREAS IN NO MANS LAND. THESE WILL HAVE LIVE PYRO AND WILL HAVE TO BE MANOEUVERED AROUND.PATROLS COMING WITHIN A SPECIFIC (BUT SAFE) DISTANCE OF THESE AREAS WILL SET OFF THESE CHARGES AND BE DEEMED INCAPICITATED. EXPLOSIVES OFFICER AND HIS PYRO TEAM WILL BE IN SOLE CONTROL OF PYRO FOR REASONS OF SAFETY. **

Upon contact German troops “Hit” will remain in position until Allied prisoners are successfully rescued. Allied troops deemed hit on patrol will be sent back to Allied HQ to be sent out again with a replacement squad until objective secured. Rescued prisoners to be escorted back to Allied HQ under fighting withdrawal for de-brief.
Once back at HQ signal for Allied success is 2 sharp whistle blasts TWICE.
Allied patrol units to rejoin their static line positions.

At this point Axis troops may probe Allied positions without close engagement to simulate harrying attacks to test Allied strength.
In the same light “partisan” units are authorised to worry German positions and capture sentries prior to the start of the main German attack.

Note: Refreshments will be taken on a stand-to footing until ENDEX night op is declared – yes this may mean you have to leave your brew to fight!!!

Night Battle

Day 1

Part3

Objective: German bombardment and attack prior to main breakout.
Axis troops will make their way to their pre attack positions for the commencement of the night bombardment of Allied lines prior to their breakout at first light.

Allied units to remain in their dug in positions. Illuminated flare will signal commencement of artillery barrage upon Allied positions. German units will then fire upon Allied units from their forward positions and take short rushes under illuminated flares in attempt to “soften” up the Allied positions. Allied units to return fire with heavy MG and small arms.

ENDEX will be signalled by 2 sharp whistle blasts and shouts of ceasefire by both Allied and Axis DS staff.

ALL units to clear and check weapons into the Armoury (if hired)
Personal weapons can be carried but they must be cleared and unloaded.

ALL UNITS to congregate in main clearing for campfire and after Ex refreshments – this will include AXIS, ALLIED and PARTISAN UNITS.

DAY 2
FIRST LIGHT
GERMAN ATTEMPTED BREAKOUT.
Objective: German Units attempt to break through Allied lines:
DRAW WEAPONS FROM ARMOURY BY 07:00
Allied lines on stand to basis. Commencement of attack will start with mortar/artillery barrage. German troops will then attack Allied positions in attempt to break through to a predetermined “safe” area.
German and Allied troops if deemed “hit” will have ONE extra chance and will have to restart the attack/defence from their respected HQ NOT their forward position. DS staff will use their judgement on this.
This will ensure longetivity of the battle.

The battle will end when all Units have successfully managed to break through to the safe haven or are deemed KIA.
ENDEX will be determined by 2 sharp whistle blasts TWICE and shouts of ceasefire from DS and Unit commanders.
ALL Weapons to be cleared and checked back into armoury.

“FOD PLOD” OF SITE BY ALL PERSONNEL

I have confirmation on our superb night pyro exercise -I will not be giving anything away however.
The 2 lines will be set up on Friday - anyone able to get down on Friday afternoon to help most appreciated.
last registration please by 0800 Sat. Ex starts at 0900.
Cost for event is 15 gbp per person
I am looking at a very simple BBQ event at the end of Sat night around the main campfire so that we can all get to know people from other groups (which I believe is a great aspect of our hobby) so Germans and Allies we will have a truce until daybreak. We have visitors from Finland and Germany so it will be nice to welcome them.
Alcohol can be brought and consumed in moderation as before. HOWEVER anyone who is not fit to handle a weapon the next day WILL not be reissued one ENDEX.
There are trained paramedics and firstaiders on site.
Please NO SNIPERS this time it is very difficult to play a fair shot from a distance!!!
Ex will be signposted from both directions as OP DUKES. THE ENTRANCE TO THE SITE AS SOME OF YOU WILL KNOW IS FAIRLY CONCEALED.
If you have any probs I will be contactable on 07971560249 or prior to Fri 01476 410515.
There is proper toilet and washing facilities on site and freshwater standpipes throughout the site.
Please confirm weapons hire thru John Oxlade and make sure you have the appropriate paperwork. The Sunday attack will be at Dawn!!!!!!
One last thing - enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay and Stephen - have either of you been to a reenactment private battle?

Nope.

Right, I'll start with a list of weekend dates I can do for meeting at Barnsley:

April 4th
April 5th
April 18th
April 19th
May 2nd
May 3rd
May 9th
May 10th
May 16th
May 17th
May 23rd
May 24th
May 30th
May 31st

OK, I can only do these dates, but the 23/24 is sandwiched between being in Cannes and Dresden on the weekends either side so I'd prefer the earlier dates if poss.

May 2nd
May 3rd
May 9th
May 10th
May 23rd
May 24th

Yup - a *long* time ago. 14/15 years :s

Regarding dates, i'm going to have to check t'diary.

Crikey Jay - I'm sure we are not expecting you to come all that way for an exploratory meeting, that would be beyond the call of duty!

Just looked at the diary anyway. The next couple of months ain't looking pretty as it is - 2 sets of exams, a two week long training course i'm running on TFHE for the Army (unfortunately, its going to be done somewhere hot and sandy) not to mention Wotan II.

Urgh. Wish i hadn't looked now...

I'm away first week of may for 10 days ...so looks like the end .

Why not just have a breif exploratory on a week night David instad of tying up a weekend for a 2 hour chat ?

'Cos Stephen would have to get to me, then me to Barnsley - that's two hours travel, ditto on the return. Even if I just went that would be 2hrs travel + meeting time. My evenings are always crammed with domestic/business stuff but I can find four+ hours on a weekend much more easily. So I'd rather half a Saturday/Sunday - much easier!

If we did do it on an evening then I could go straight from work and as long as it's a strict in and out (ish) job then fine, but I don't want to be late back and I do want to eat!

What about if we held the meeting in Derby ?
I could pick up PD on the way it would only be an hour ish for me and Stephen then ? You could just make the coffee!

I'm just loathed to take up my weekends with airsoft having now "semi retired" ....4-5 weekends a year max was my plan , I've already had two extra site vists in the past few months (not a problem but just pointing it out)

It's my issue not CiA's , but if we can avoid it, Iwould appreciate it .

If it's a work night then it would have to be Derby for me. Next week I have evening classes on Monday and Wednesday but then they break for Easter.

If it's only a few hours then how about Good Friday or Easter Monday??

S

LOL, that's a proper holiday - I only get a few days a year! And I'm at Crich anyway.

If it's a work night then it would have to be Derby for me. Next week I have evening classes on Monday and Wednesday but then they break for Easter.

If it's only a few hours then how about Good Friday or Easter Monday??

S

So any Tuesday or Thursday would be ok for you then ?
Suggest pick one after Easter if PD's up for it ?

Yep, Tues and Thurs are good.....I prefer Thursdays. April's currently fine. I can only make the first or last week of May.

Cool one Thursday in Arpril May then ..at the Studio David ?

OK, I'll see if PD is OK with that. Earlier rather than later I'd say.