As a part of the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, we at Ford Ranges have decided to take this event to another level. We have sections of the range that we can open to the public, and are looking for any re-enactors that could come down for the weekend and set up static displays.
We are involving the three local Parishes of Ford, Yapton and Climping and we are loking to involve all the local comminity. We're hoping to get the local schools involved teaching the kids about life in the 40's. The Bader Arms, Tangmere's local will be providing a beer tent with staff in 1940's costume and entertainment as well.
We had a meeting with the local Police this evening and they are fully supporting the event. The thing is that no one in the area has offered to do anything to commemorate the anniversary and so far they are all happy to support us.
Some local re-enactors with vehicles have already offered their support, but I thought I'd put a shout out on here, to see if any of you guys know anyone that would be able to get down to West Sussex on that date.
I know it's the last weekend of the school holidays and Domestic Meltdown for some, but in the spirit of getting games as close to the real conditions as possible, it has to be the first weekend of September. Mainly due to the crop rotation of the fields in the surrounding area. Please remember this is all private land not a skirmish site, these are the exact hedgerows that Axis troops woul have to fight along and the Brit's would have to defend! It's 70 years (near as dammit) to the event, on the ground that the battle would have been fought on, defending an actual airfied that was an actual target.
We've been over to Tangmere Airfield museum and if they can find it we will be displaying a scale model of the airfield as it was 70 years ago.
Players need not worry about having the wrong kit, any unit in the UK in 1940 would have been thrown down south to defend the lands, the 82nd Airbourne were in Yorkshire training Home Guard units, The Navy were there as was the airforce, and any civilian with a sporting rifle or a shotgun would be in Home Guard Units, not to mention SOE and HG Auxilliary units.
For the Axis sides once again everything would have been thrown at it, Falshys as advance and SS & Heer units making up the main attack with any other units thrown into the cauldren.
This really would be the ultimate Axis vs Allied event, both sides fighting to last man and bullet for their sides eventual outcome.
Remember there were NO American units in the UK in 1940, some US citizens in the Eagle squadrons though. None until January 1942. The 82nd didn't exist again until March '42.
You can forget this to be inclusive but thats the history.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Humble apologies if my info was wrong, I,ll check my source and reference and adjust original post, when I have the chance. Having said that I'd like to make it as inclusive as possible.
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It's one reason early war events are not popular with re-enactors. No jeeps, no Glen Miller[well, not as much thank god] and no yanks.
You dont see much of the Americans until 1943 apart from the airforce.
You would be lucky to see the SOE too, they were not formed until July '40 and were not trained as infantry.
I'm honestly a little shocked, this is basic history.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Basic knowledge is just what we know and assume others should so we are allowed to be shocked at young people and write to Radio 4.
You are between a rock and a hard place Jimbo, inclusive and accurate 1940... certainly tricky.
I dont know about that, this is a WW2 forum? An idea of what went on when would be a big help to anyone using it?
Ever read those introductions that new members post [are encouraged to post]? They always have something along the lines of 'Long time interest in Ww2' 'WW2 has always been my thing'.
Still this is all aside from the event which I hope will attract re-enactors and airsofters alike. There should be a few with early war stuff as many have kitted up for the Dunkirk march and other 1940 events. Get it stuck on the wwii forum and wait for the 'too close to Arnhem or Victory show' posts.
I'd go for inclusive.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
As I see it, esp as German forces are being allowed, then this isn't a reenactment of events in September 1940 but more akin to the usual Steam Railway generic 1940's weekends held up and down the country every summer - a 'celebration of' rather than 'recreation of'. A bit mixed up historically and chronologically but meh, it should be of great interest locally - so well done Jimbo.
Still, I do like the idea of doing without the Yanks and keeping it as plucky Brits verses the invaders. "There'll always be an England, And England shall be Free, If England means as much to you, As England means to me." 
It would seem that you can't please all the people all the time. I'm just trying my best with my limited knowledge, to put on a good event. I've been told now that 82nd infantry were in uk at that time, but I,m currently away from computer and unable to verify!
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It looks like I've got a big old portion of humble pie to eat for tea tonight. After several texts and phone calls, it appers that the 82nd up north training HG units was a British Infantry regiment!
I therfore apologise for my mistakes.
To poacher, if I remember correctly my first post wasnt along the lines of I've been into WW2 for ages and am getting into airsoft, it would have been I,m an airsofter getting into the WW2 scene!
As CW correctly said, this is more of a celebration of the period, and I,m hoping it will do good for bringing new players into the fold. As to being inclusive I'm wanting to keep the Americans involved, as there are so very few events here on the south coast, at least some American players will get a chance to join in and wear their kit. Does this make the game a sisk? Well yes probably but I'm still hoping it will be a great battle, some of which is going to be on land that has never been skirmished on before.
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Can you clarify (I am easily confused!) but you mention reenactor static displays and also opening to the public yet you also mention skirmishing. Clearly airsofting is incompatible with members of the public being in attendance (for safety, also very boring for onwatchers!). So, is this to be a multi-faceted event with public and private elements to the weekend?
Indeed its planned for the static displays etc to be open to the public. These will be in the range and immediate compound.
The skirmishes will be held on the area of land between Climping beach and the A259 on day one and on day two on the surrounding farmland and top section of the runway. At no time will the public be allowed within 300 m of the gameplay area. The local police are allowing us to close the main road twice on the Saturday for a ten min period so we can cross the road with our weapons.
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Thank you! 
I think it has all the ingredients for a fantastic event. Combining airsoft and re-enactment and village hog-roast action is a novel and interesting way to go. I'm sure it will do a lot more to encourage new players to get stuck in to ww2 airsoft than any amount of forum banter.
Accuracy? Well, Arnhem and Victory will be fully stocked with overweight fortysomethings munching on pot noodles and pretending to be 1 Para, so I wouldn't say they were being any more accurate than your event.
I think it sounds corkingly fun... If it wasn't in France 
Jimbo mate - well done indeed! If you need any help please let me know. As regards re-enactors, have you tried Dicky at Sabre Sales as he is involved in the whole Dads Army scene (as seen at Shoreham Airshow).
http://www.therealdadsarmy.co.uk/
I think this is thier website
I'm a hero with coward's legs.
Jimbo, very much the wrong era but if your looking at a hybrid event with some public involvement, if your in the Chatham area 31st July/1st August you might want to drop into this event
http://www.scurvyscum.com/home.htm
Pirate live roleplayer moving amongst the public with re-enactors giving displays in suitable fenced off areas (black powder discharges and real sword play being an obvious safety hazard).
This is their 4th event so I'm sure the organisers might be worth contacting to see if there is any advice they can give you or ideas to avoid/steal 
To the tune of "Mademoiselle from Armentières"
Napoleons army ran away, As you do
The guard stood firm for Frances Pride, As you do
They said the guard will stand and die
But we heard what their Colonel cried
It wasn't pretty I tell you.
Resistance is fertile
Remember there were NO American units in the UK in 1940, some US citizens in the Eagle squadrons though. None until January 1942. The 82nd didn't exist again until March '42.
You can forget this to be inclusive but thats the history.
mmmm, well as far as this game goes, the Axis diddnt win and invade, so, how is a unit of US Airborne with at least one jeep and a ford army truck? for the game as i would have thought our biggest Allies of WW2 would have sent tropps earlier if the invasion happened ,( if we can get there approx 10-17 troops) and we are also a re-enactment group, but if you dont want us setting up a display because the airbourn wene not in the UK when the Battle of Britain was over head, no probs we are easy either way 
PM'd
All ok for re-enactors now, got a Hampshire group and a local Sussex group on board, so we will have plenty of vehicles to add to the atmosphere. I'll be talking to some of them before the event and hopefully arrange some local motorised troop movement. Although they wont be used "In game" I hope to be able to arrange movement of troops into location of start position, in some kind of period transport.
In process of setting up bank and paypal accounts and meeting landowners hopefully this week then I'll be able to open a more detailed plan of operation and booking details.
as i would have thought our biggest Allies of WW2 would have sent tropps earlier if the invasion happened
Really? Despite being neutral and them not being involved in the war for another 16 months? In the summer/fall of 1940 they were not even our allies.
We stood alone.
Lend-lease didn't start until March '41. They would have sent us nothing, to be honest they had nothing much to send at that time.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
yep BUT we did win the B of B so thy stayed out! you can theorise all day about what ifs, and this game IS a what if! its not about actual history
