PDs Idea for a game becomes reality! Westwald/Ardennes Dec09

you can count me in

Swung by the venue this afternoon after visiting Evesham and getting some very positive feedback from many folks - 16RchF SS are in for this...... nice chatting with you fellas!

The venue is looking very verdant at present - Would definitely suit a spring/summer game too - So if this one works you can expect a repeat preformance on this ground using a different scenario ( already being formulated!)

Will be walking it thoroughly tomorrow and mapping what's under those trees.....
Here it is
[link]http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=tankersley&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=11.666889,28.168945&ie=UTF8&ll=53.484356,-1.497574&spn=0.005733,0.013754&t=h&z=16[/link]
It's the large woodland to the left of the A61

You will be pleased to know that some of the truly great and good in re-enactment (some of them 25 year protagonists) are saying this could be a seminal moment for the hobby...... Me? I'm just trying to introduce a better dimension into private training events! But the support from probably one of the biggest groups in the UK is boggling even my mind........ I can guarantee the WWII airsoft folks something which will get their juices going!!!!!! And it's being said that the distinction will finally be eradicated if this works....... I bloody hope so!

can we have combo racing round the track? Oh and I hope that's not Doggers in the carpark between the track/wood and A61

Just returned from an in depth recce. Funnily enough Del it is a TOP dogging spot! We thought about manning the gate and charging them £20 a head for secure dogging.......

Moving swiftly on.....

Site is very challenging. It has lots of natural features to make life interesting. Vehicular access is not what we though (quads yes, jeeps no) There is good access to the car park and along the top of the wood. But jeeps etc. will find it difficult NOW to traverse the terrain - in Winter it will be downright dangerous and nigh impossible

So a rethink is underway there...

We can site the HQs in reasonable places and participants will be able to walk in to their positions with their gear (kit list will be built to make this entirely do-able) Added realism will be that units have to be rotated out of the line to be fed..... So some co-ordination by respective HQs is needed.

We have a very clear picture of how it's gonna be put together and today's visit has helped.

We will not give away any of the features as it will spoil the scenarios we intend to put in to add interest...... All we will say is that Allied overflys have suggested there is a Top Secret Panzer Testing Ground which needs overrrunning and any documents available seizing...... But first we have to breach the Siegfried Line!

Folks - don't worry about not being tough enough etc. We've scoped it out and there is enough cover, we will ensure enough materials are on hand and enough warm food and drink is available to keep people safe. we also issue the following
Uniform Regs (what to wear to fit in)
Weapons Regs (permitted bangsticks)
Equipment List (what you need to survive and sleep in safety as well as suggested foods to obtain)
Emergency Equipment List (This is a "kit" to leave set up in your motor in case you can't hack it, the weather turns foul or you just decide you need warming up)
We cover the bases so that it's not too taxing but is challenging enough to feel like youv'e acheived something.

Paul,

I'm interested in this event - I take part in both WW2 Airsoft and WK2 re-enactment Events.

I look forward to more information about your event.

See you next weekend.

D

Did Lou speak to you at Evesham? Just in the door from Sledmere.

Che did some airsoft weapon demonstrations at Sledmere this weekend to hopefully encourage a few more people into trying this OK demonstration the wrong word, men went, men shot.

Lou didn't speak to me at Evesham - Neil on the other hand did! albeit briefly.
PM sent.

Things are moving on with this now and I'm about to start a thread for the Scenario - Happy to keep this to a discussion thread - More stuff to come - CiA peeps - Not sure on forum ettiquette here so please guide me as to what's best - Will be putting up booking threads too..... Your advice before I do so is most welcome.

Cheers
PD

Whats your view on sleeping arrangements....tents etc..

It being DEC, i assume its going to be cold. So do you have any restrictions on people using modern tents and sleeping bags?

Whats your view on sleeping arrangements....tents etc..

It being DEC, i assume its going to be cold. So do you have any restrictions on people using modern tents and sleeping bags?

Yeah mate - That's an important part of it to be honest - Might sound severe and even reckless but by careful planning we aim to give people a taste of 1944 living in a wood in December. I've done it loads - and I'm 50! Done it in Jan even and been quite comfy - We don't just throw you in at the deep end - It's been announced early to give people time to build up knowledge etc. and even "practise" in more temperate weather.

What we do say is - BRING a modern sleeping bag etc. and set it up in your car in case you can't hack it, it gets too bad or there is some other emergency. But what we want is for people to come and make themselves comfortable and secure using period kit. Otherwise it defeats the overall object of the exercise.

Pup tent, ground sheet and blankets it is then!

There will be straw available - and shell holes/scrapes.......
Read Histories - there weren't in the main tents availabel for the poor buggers on both sides! We will use some sense and make sure people are tented. The rear areas will have some kind of accomodation and we will rotate troops as part of the scenario - Troops will be pulled out of the line to be fed - Replacements will filter in. Like for real!

Aha... I see a proper place to get a limited amount of proper sleep then.

I guess the main thing that would concern me about sleeping on blankets is that they don't isolate you enough from the very cold ground (from experience). So these tents behind the lines... are they big with camp beds or...???

VERY simple solution to the ground cold problem is to lie on a bed of spruce branches, or similar, with straw over the top. That will work perfectly.

Now, we need to start posting links for decent blankets!

I see... not tried that. It should work though.

Yep, works a treat.

Combine it with a fire with a heat reflector built from logs and you'll be fine; although fires aren't allowed!

Well the fires question is not so much they are not allowed - but if you don't want to give away your position they are not advisable.
Now a good tip is - If sleeping in a scrape or trench or foxhole - Dig a hole in the bottom of the scrape about 1 foot deep and as wide as the hole. Line the bottom of the hole with straw or bracken etc. Put a poncho or zelt across the top for a roof and wrap yourself in your blanket - The cold air drops into the hole and the body heat you generate remains around you - This was found to work at Ashby in the month of January when tried for the first time. Being below ground means you are a degree or two warmer anyway........ Little survival tips will be made plain to folks. Daft as it sounds it can be fun trying it and immensly satisfying to succeed. This wood is deciduous so won't be dark and gloomy - There is good cover and wind breaks - They will be marked as we intend to map the wood and produce a very detailed set of maps.

Hi PD, just looking at your weapons regs. One thing you may need to fudge into it somewhere is that high powered bolt actions will usually have a minimum engagement range (20m at most games). This means that all players with bolt actions will also need a sidearm, in case they come across opposition inside that range.

You've also not listed any acceptable sidearms for the Brit or german sides?

Hi PD, just looking at your weapons regs. One thing you may need to fudge into it somewhere is that high powered bolt actions will usually have a minimum engagement range (20m at most games). This means that all players with bolt actions will also need a sidearm, in case they come across opposition inside that range.

You've also not listed any acceptable sidearms for the Brit or german sides?

Thanks mate. We are wrioting the FPS/Engagement Rules at the mo - Largely ripped from CiA and using the DBAC rule heavily - 8mm will be allowed too. Pistols are mentioned - 1911 & HP as well as revolvers for Allies and P08.P38,C96 and HP for Jairmans.

Mind it shows people are switched on and reading

Blankets - - Beltring - or
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/ ... 27822.html
http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/shopscr179.html
http://www.transworldsurplus.co.uk/slee ... ipment.asp
et al.

Don't forget to adjust your fps limits accordingly for the heavier 8mm rounds.