http://www.pegasusarchive.org/sicily/frames.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Husky
http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/72-16/72-16.htm
http://www.bestofsicily.com/ww2.htm
Link to a summary of Guy and my ideas following site recce's.
It will make more sense when you are there and might (or might not) form a starting point.
http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/docs/briefing.pdf
OK, having seen the site I have a few thoughts. The main one being that ground can be covered quite quickly. Although it's a big site it's easy enough to traverse. It's very open now but there is a hell of a lot of bracken coming up in most of the open ground that will be 3-4 foot tall but August so this will aid cover. I'm not entirely convinced that the plans you've outlined will keep people occupied for long enough.
The site is great though and there's a fantastic area to the north-west of the transmitter that would be brilliant to include in the game...the fenceline is a lot closer to the house at the northern edge than you've indicated.
There are two notes on the map that you have drawn Dave. First of all the area next to the Brit LZ is in play, known as 'The Oasis' to regulars. Second is the location of the camp. John suggested an alternative which I've marked. It's used regularly by the motocrossers that attend events there and has a toilet portacabin with running water, although it might not be potable. It's next to a road with a large gate, is flat and is much better IMHO. They're used to events so not bothered about noise. Apparently the farmer, and his German wife (!), would be happy to join in any festivities!
I'll go over the game plan in the next couple of weeks (too busy this week), in the meantime give me your thoughts on the above.
Stephen - our outline plans were just that.
Objectives:
Scenario follows real events
Use all of the site.
Make best use of the site.
Allow natural gaming progression through site without stopping and starting.
Keep Yanks and Brits separate - effectively two games running simultaneously for a large part of the weekend.
Wood close to camp for evening game.
Yes, you could use the North end of the site (low ground so watch waterlogging) for the camp and run the game North to South ('cos you don't want people walking from one end to the other to start a game) but the usual entrance at the South is 'dead' ground gaming-wise, so doesn't encroach on available area.
No area of my map was excluded from gameplay but watch for encroachment on houses to SW and NW. There is some barbed wire running near the Brit LZ - I couldn't remember how far it went across so that line is prob inaccurate, though there were sheep in there!
The site near the LZ is just a little bit of barbed wire. There are ways around it and it's not in proximity to any housing.
The field at the north is used regularly for events and is flatter for camping and doesn't appear to get waterlogged. I just thought the southern end for camping would be very difficult to use because it's quite hilly which is a pain in the ass when putting up tents and trying to sleep. The northern part is also separate from the playing area altogether so wouldn't encroach.
There is direct access to the site from the campsite to the southern entrance and also to the LZ area by road and/or track so people could be ferried if we had access to vehicles. (Not sure if Guy's planning on brining the Landy.)
Wherever we put the camp there's going to be a period of trekking to get to start points for one side or another really. I do certainly think that we should play in the direction you've indicated though as that allows for us to draw the play towards Etna!
Finally, I was surprised at how quickly you could cover the site on foot as going is very easy with no woodland, the bracken, once it's up, may make change that though.
S
Aye, no houses near LZ - I said NW and SW.
Ferns will make a big difference judging by the photos I posted up on the initial teaser thread.
Ferrying players all over the place should be avoided if at all possible - wastes time and takes drivers out of game (exception - Brits really ought to be transported for initial 'drop' as it's the closest to a glider they are going to get - droning engines playing on the speakers, or air-rushing noises if one gets picky!).
If the play is S to N then it doesn't make sense having the camp at the North - it spoils the surprise of the terrain if they trudge past the unseen playing area. If the camp is in the South the furthest anyone will walk when not in-game is halfway, and that is just the Germans on Sunday.
As it is, Allies landing at the South and working to Messina in the North with edges of the site being the sea sort of 'works' as Sicily.
Guy will be bringing the landrover - the nebel or AA would be in the trailer so it is mobile and can be moved if threatened (or used again for another attack at a different time).
Anyhoo, all bye-the-bye - these were just out initial thoughts (although well thought through and not off the top of our heads) - it's your game to do what you will with it.
I just don't see how the ferrying is any different to the other games we've done.
But anyway....
I kinda don't really understand why you guys have felt the need to come up with a game plan at all to be honest. John was talking about things you'd discussed like building a bridge by the pond and plans for camping. And there's going to be a nebelwerfer too....right, I'd better fit that in then hadn't I?
I just feel that whatever I do now will either be too controversial-a-change from what you've suggested or will be so much like it that I won't feel like I've had much input at all.
Pissed me off a bit to be honest. Feck, we've got three months until the game. You've written down a pretty solid start to a game plan that bears not relation to the outline I wrote for the launch of the game for bookings and will either need to be followed or reinvented.
What's the point(?) is my point.
Doesn't need answering I just feel a little hijacked.
Heh, I'll answer!
Guy and me have had two site visits so would be silly not to work out what was possible. Our second visit was because we couldn't make the 14th June date or wanted to leave it to July, as you proposed. Discussed and put into words/diagrams so it would make sense when you went.
Up to you now - all I did was explain the reasons and answer your points as asked!
Don't see any game plan from you on bookings other than a blind, brief history - which you said was temporary until you had visited the site.
It is over to you Stephen - I'm having nothing more to do with the game until I turn up in August!
OK then.
I've emailed John to ask if he has plans for toilets in the south area. I don't think taking a crap in the adjacent woods would be a great idea as it forms part of their game zone! 
S
Cool.
Quick questions for ya...
Did you play on Sunday?
If you did then did you play near the pond?
If so, were you troubled by walkers?
Were there any 'visitors' up at Mnt Etna?
Further:
What are the 'rights' of walkers these days? I've heard of the 'right to roam' but this doesn't mean you can walk anywhere regardless of consequences does it?
I know there are at least two rights of way crossing the site (both I saw had styles). But can people deviate from said track?
I am concerned by MOP - it was a big problem when I was there last (Heh, not for MOP safety, but cocking a game up by constantly stopping). I was just thinking we could put big warning signs at the styles - but wasn't sure what we could (legally) say on them.
Danger - you are crossing an active airsoft gaming area. Eye protection must be worn at all times, dogs must be kept on leads. Please keep to footpaths and cross field quickly. Dogs may be startled by bangs.
Or something.
Cool.
Quick questions for ya...
Did you play on Sunday?
Yes, one very lame game, but with only 9 players what could they do? Only played in the woodland section.
If you did then did you play near the pond?
If so, were you troubled by walkers?
Were there any 'visitors' up at Mnt Etna?
No, but I did take a look around the entire site. There were four walkers that I saw in the 3 hours I was there and two of them were atop Etna!
Further:
What are the 'rights' of walkers these days? I've heard of the 'right to roam' but this doesn't mean you can walk anywhere regardless of consequences does it?
I know there are at least two rights of way crossing the site (both I saw had styles). But can people deviate from said track?I am concerned by MOP - it was a big problem when I was there last (Heh, not for MOP safety, but cocking a game up by constantly stopping). I was just thinking we could put big warning signs at the styles - but wasn't sure what we could (legally) say on them.
Danger - you are crossing an active airsoft gaming area. Eye protection must be worn at all times, dogs must be kept on leads. Please keep to footpaths and cross field quickly. Dogs may be startled by bangs.Or something.
The rights of walkers changed in 2005 which gives them the right to walk freely across all open access land, which is coloured beige on OS maps. Having just checked, the land is NOT open access which means that walkers have to stick strictly to any footpaths. Any deviation is formally illegal, but rarely acted upon. Walkers have unrestricted access to public footpaths (of which there are three across the site) and it is the local council's and landowner's responsibility to keep paths and stiles clear and well waymarked.
A strongly worded sign may suffice, but walkers are a stubborn lot and will walk across land just to assert their right to do so.....I know I do! However most people will avoid confrontation and won't walk across the land if their safety is at risk. NOTE: Placing a marker on a fence telling someone cannot use the path is illegal and may be acted upon by a pedantic walker.
I don't know if paths can be temporarily suspended for such frivolous activities, but I will endeavour to find out from my filming contacts. They must have to do something for the motorcross otherwise the walkers' lives would be in danger.
At the very worst we should probably consider waymarking the paths across the site and insisting that walkers stick strictly to the waymarked paths, which they should do anyway. Anyone sitting on top of Etna (Moel Findeg) is deviating and is breaking the law as the path passes just north of that.
This is the Shropshire rights website: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/countrysid ... 87003037CC
Map:
Cool, thanks for that. (BTW - all T-J's games are lame!)
I knew you couldn't stop people using public footpaths (either by notice or physical blocking) but it's good to know they shouldn't go off the path, in this case.
Good point about the motocross thing, they must do something about it.
I just don't see how the ferrying is any different to the other games we've done.
But anyway....
I kinda don't really understand why you guys have felt the need to come up with a game plan at all to be honest. John was talking about things you'd discussed like building a bridge by the pond and plans for camping. And there's going to be a nebelwerfer too....right, I'd better fit that in then hadn't I?
I just feel that whatever I do now will either be too controversial-a-change from what you've suggested or will be so much like it that I won't feel like I've had much input at all.
Pissed me off a bit to be honest. Feck, we've got three months until the game. You've written down a pretty solid start to a game plan that bears not relation to the outline I wrote for the launch of the game for bookings and will either need to be followed or reinvented.
What's the point(?) is my point.
Doesn't need answering I just feel a little hijacked.
Ferrying players should be avoided it non value added time , and my LR only takes 5 max. The sites easy to walk .
Ex-Site aerial view without overlays: http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/docs/husky-map-base.zip
Here's an idea. People drive themselves from the campsite in the north to the start point in the south along the public road then can collect their cars at the end of the day. Too much faff?
S
And further reference:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2hmuemSZG ... re=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2hmuemSZG ... re=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wKyvrkWiP ... re=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KGc-qEGEC ... re=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qOqqacP_x ... re=related
PROPS!
I think we are agreed that we need an artilary piece as a focus for the Americans. For that we have £200 deposited in Guy's care. That leaves well over £600 for other stuff. It doesn't have to be spent on this game of course - Victory Show having no income will require a draw on funds. Also it's likely that Wotan II will be limited player number and high on props and therefore be a draw on funds.
So... pyro for Husky.
a) what do we have left in stock
b) what do we need
We will need some 'satche' charges for blowing artilary, transmitter, power, bridge etc and big smokes will be very useful. Bear in mind that all pyro is built to order, that TLSFX has a collosal order for the States that is causing problems, we are in the middle of the pyro season for reeacting events up and down the country, we are approaching the holiday season, Tony has been off work (chest pains). We need to get the order in now really.
Also, how cool would it be if we had a pair of mortars (same system as Gunmans)?? It would be great for Husky and very useful long term.
Added tasks to spin things out at Husky. Mine laying/detecting. German three man team (may be using partisans for local advice and defensive support) lay mines (I have some film tins that will do the job of anti-personnel mines). Americans can't move through that route until engineers clear all mines. Can use a modern metal detector sprayed up and re-badged to look the part - I have my period headphones and can run cables into a backpack for realism. Again, this would be a long term prop to go in the assets list.
Our current balance is running at £848.91.
Ex-site are currently getting £900 out of us. Taffy must be rubbing his hands!!! 
Heh, I'm assuming Taffy will get more than £1200 - remember he wants notes!
Yep, will transfer to the bank account at the beginning of August.
S
