Hi Dave
I'm doing a piece this month for the reenactors mag on groups that have started off in airsoft and are now also established as 'blank fire' (for want of a better word) skirmishers/re-enactors.
I've asked Paul Dolby for some words and wondered if you'd like to add a line or two either with a '16th ss ' head on or as a CIA organiser.
I'll also be asking Dog Co and Josh for a fairly rounded set of views covering a few maor bases.
Ideally a couple of hundred words (about 300 max) would be great.
If you're really busy I appreciate it but it would be good to get your view as one of the founders of wwii airsoft in a truly organised form and I'd also be able to put in some CIA links for you too.
Sorry I couldnt make devils hill I've been in pretty bad shape with my back lately... chronic pain clinic for me on friday and hopefully an MRI early nov....
I'm probbaly going to have to load myself up on a fantastic combination of painkillers and beer to get through this haloween night im djing but at least i can sit down and do that
WTF?! "Please provide me with 300 words of copy, thanks".
What a crawling bastard. Tell him to f**k off and do his own "work" for himself, the tosser.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
16thSS are having a planning meeting this weekend so I'll bring this up then and I'll waft this in front of the CiA team again (already broached the subject when we last met).
Thanks Dave
My deadlines tecnically the 2nd of nov but i can prob get Stu to give me a few days extra on as I'd really like to have a representive view on things rather than just 'my take'
Equally as said before, while Josh sponsors the pages its not 'gunmans pages' i want to show *all* wwii airsoft events ina good light, if i cant get to them i have no issue with someone sending me a highlights report and a pic or two so at least i can give them a 1/3 or 1/4th in the column.
Cheers
Gadge
(oh and the orgs section was an excellent idea and hopefully we can run up a great clash free calendar!
)
Well, without wishing to shoot ourselves completely in the foot, perhaps the best idea would be for Gadge to write up a series of questions which we can answer and he can write his copy out of that.
It seems rediculous to write 300 words of copy for him! If we already used the text from the "About" section on the website we can copy and paste that or alter it slightly. I'd be happy to do that.
It won't be before the weekend though as I'm busy until then.
S
How about this? Think he might use it? 
Comrades in arms was founded in 2006 by a group of like minded airsofters. Unfortunately, 2 of them were so obtuse and impossible to work with, that they were invited to leave and found their own bunch of bumboys, who would later go on to stab CiA in the back at every oppurtunity. One of them, a total walt, would even go on to write for magazines, until he was sacked from one of them for being a useless c-nut. CiA has been imitated by many since, with others jumping on the bandwagon for profit, or to cater for obscure, irrelevant units and battles.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Yes, I was going to adapt what I have already written elsewhere, so I'll just do that, not a problem.
I've just written a 1500 word article on the importance of trade marks in the shoe polish industry, along with many other articles related so I'm getting used to writing essays (rather than the pithy and concise ad and PR stuff I've been used to all my professional life!)
How about this? Think he might use it?
Comrades in arms was founded in 2006 by a group of like minded airsofters. Unfortunately, 2 of them were so obtuse and impossible to work with, that they were invited to leave and found their own bunch of bumboys, who would later go on to stab CiA in the back at every oppurtunity. One of them, a total walt, would even go on to write for magazines, until he was sacked from one of them for being a useless c-nut. CiA has been imitated by many since, with others jumping on the bandwagon for profit, or to cater for obscure, irrelevant units and battles.
That gets my vote....and not I need to clean a mouthful of Cola off my screen. 
Well, piece written combining CiA and 16thSS concepts. When I read it out at the meeting yesterday a couple of chins dropped "You can't say that!". Meh, its all true so why not? Dave B approved it saying that's exactly what the 16th is all about so its gone to Gadge now. I have the feeling he won't be bold enough to print as it is diametrically opposite to his psyche (approval/attention-seeker, inferiority complex, terrified of criticism) 
The 16th Reichfuhrer-SS reenacting group were formed in 2008 around a nucleus of mates in the East Midlands and was borne from their participation in WW2 airsoft and an interest in WWII history generally.
Some might regard this as a 'crossover' and might be surprised that 'airsofters' are just as keen to get things right as any traditional reenactor. The 16thh SS group would be surprised if anyone did find this surprising! We simply don't see a division nor a contradiction. Coming from a background of Comrades in Arms organised WW2 battles (which concentrate on historical scenarios and the role the front line soldier plays) the living history element is paramount. These events aren't for the benefit of the public of course, but are weekend indulgences that explore what goes on in the soldier's mind with emotions such as fear, boredom, confusion, frustration, exhilaration, comradeship, teamwork, endurance and endeavour. These battles don't bear much resemblance to club airsoft (or paintball!) that many traditional reenactors assume but are blank firing private battles with airsoft guns replacing the blank firers.
While we might do four to six of these private battles a year we also do the more conventional public shows with enough tentage and vehicles to cover a large pitch. These displays take the form of a rear echelon behind the lines near Anzio, eschewing the graft of front line work for something more relaxing. Our format isn't of the 'lay all your kit out behind a rope' but try to create something a bit more realistic - working, eating and sleeping in a convincing manner to visitors. We attend both big and small shows, local and national and while we generally don't do blank firing public battles (finding them rather unsatisfying and unrealistic compared to our private battles) we do add support with vehicles if required.
You won't find us as a group on the big two reenacting forums as we find them rather divisive and prefer to be unassuming and just get on with our own thing. We don't look up to other groups, nor indeed down to any. More than that, we take delight in all levels of reenacting standards and you won't find us slagging off other displays. Do as you would be done by seems to be a sound enough house rule! From time to time we cooperate with other groups with joint displays, small scenarios or kit sharing. We won't ever be a huge group nor will it be open house - a bunch of friends with a common interest seems to be a solid way forward. We are looking forward to a full calendar of living history events in 2011 and always enjoy a chat with all and sundry, fellow reenactors and the public alike!
Nice one!
I preferred my version 
.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
My version is a printable version of yours - the reader just has to read between the lines.
Just recieved. Cheers Dave.
Weirdly this is proving to be one of the trickier pieces to write, i've had about four goes at it to date and i'm still not happy with it. Your text is excellent though so thank you for that!
G
