Jan 18th Battle of the Bulge

[brownien]

I am inviting locals and friends, not sure how many will actually commit

[shiftysgarand]

What's the headcount as of now?

[2nd Bat]

Shifty, I know you have folks coming that will need gear but I havent seen specifics yet with regard to sizes etc. I realize it probably depends on final commitments and christmas but i'd like to know sooner rather then later. PM me or Brownien with the details. It looks like scott collins has permission to come but I think he has all his own stuff? What about all your other buddies? how many are you actually going to be able to transport?

[shiftysgarand]

Scott and I have all our own stuff (though I would like a mess kit) and there is one German coming with his own stuff. One guy has his own Echo 1 BAR, but no gear, and three who have nothing at all (I have omed brownien on sizes). I will continue recruiting, so we could have more. I'm looking for a second driver, as now we have 7 and the van only holds 5+driver.

[Jerry-ADK]

Dec 24, 2013 10:01:46 GMT -5 shiftysgarand said:

Scott and I have all our own stuff (though I would like a mess kit) and there is one German coming with his own stuff. One guy has his own Echo 1 BAR, but no gear, and three who have nothing at all (I have omed brownien on sizes). I will continue recruiting, so we could have more. I'm looking for a second driver, as now we have 7 and the van only holds 5+driver.

Lol! It looks like its going to be quite a party at my in-laws on Saturday night!  We will have to have a Battle of the Bulge Doc and war flick festival or something.  Some one will have to front me for all that popcorn and soda.  That's going to be allot of popcorn!  ö   

Or maybe we could use big screen there for checking out any footage we film during the action.

Anyway, sounds like this is going to be a good time, with a healthy amount of attendees.  Thats great, I am looking forward to this.  You guys seem like you are putting a great thing together.  Kudos to all of you.  I am glad I have landed here  and I am glad you guys are keeping this alive and you are all so close by.  Thats one of the things which kept me out of BF was that the events were pretty far away.  Im glad I can help you guys out with a place to crash.

Shifty, I got yer six on the US messkit.  You can use mine.  dont have a spork though.  You will have to bring yer own.

[shiftysgarand]

Thanks again Jer. Though I don't know if we'll have the energy to party

[Jerry-ADK]

Dec 24, 2013 15:06:28 GMT -5 shiftysgarand said:

Thanks again Jer. Though I don't know if we'll have the energy to party

Yup, I bet we will all be pretty wooped after the battle.  I know I will be.  I cant wait to find out what the scenario is going to be and missions are.  Sounds like we will probably running around a bunch, that will go along way towards keeping warm.  
During the historical battle there were waves of Germans screaming like mad men and attacking the American positions.  Angriff!

[2nd Bat]

Awesome Shifty. This road trip will be a lifetime memory and your driver(s) is/are a saint(s). I'll be sure to pack in accordance to what Brownien identifys as your needs. The BAR is going to be a wonderful asset just as it was back in the day. I don't want to ship my BAR but I could ship some modified mid caps for it and will be sure to put in BAR web gear for this fellow.

[shiftysgarand]

Thank you so much 2nd Bat. He'll greatly appreciate the midcaps.

[2nd Bat]

So a mess kit for Shifty, complete sets of everything for three GIs, some uniform items for SFCMigs son. Assorted German stuff at Bowniens Request and obviously all of my Personal stuff. what else so far? I am going to be shipping on Monday or Tuesday. I depart for my business trip on the 1st so this all has to be nailed down.

[ScottCollins]

Do you happen to have an extra officer's coatI could use? If not I'll be fine

[Jerry-ADK]

I have been reading through some of the medic rules on the forum. The last thread mentions using strechers as a mobile CCP. I just happen to have 2 ww2 era field streachers, do you want me to bring them in case we want to use them?

[2nd Bat]

Not real sure what you mean by an officers coat? Also i'll be sure to have a complete BAR infantrymens set up for your buddy that has the BAR along with spare mags. Also i'll send extra magazines for the carbines , thompsons and MP 40s

[ScottCollins]

www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=USUJOC
That's what I was looking to borrow. I'm saving up for one but probably won't have it in time

[2nd Bat]

I don't have any officers trench coats in my inventory, sorry. In the Bulge guys threw together pretty much whatever they had or could get their hands on but that trench coat looks decidedly rear eschelon or an item not typically worn in the field by lower ranking officers. I would think a wool overcoat, Mackinaw Coat or plain rain coat would be a more appropriate coat to seek out not just for this event but any event. Incidently the wool overcoat was frequently cut down by removing the lower skirting at about the upper thigh. The sections cut off served a variety of purposes such as scarves or fashioned into vests. The feeling was that the lower section simply absorbed water in the field and the silouette was too much like the German Field coat which caused blue on blue incidence and confusion. Few of us will probably feel good about cutting up a nice wool overcoat but for authenticity it would actually be a nice touch. My recommendation is do it to a torn up, not particularly nice overcoat if you find one.

[Jerry-ADK]

Dec 27, 2013 22:29:06 GMT -5 ScottCollins said:

Do you happen to have an extra officer's coatI could use? If not I'll be fine

Scott,
I guess shifty isn't going to barrow my wool trench coat, you can use it if it fits you.  It is a size 36r or 38r I can't read it because the ink is worn off.  But it fits me nice and I wear a size 38.

[shiftysgarand]

Hey 2nd Bat, would you mind throwing in a jeep cap for me? I only have an M1 helmet.

[SfcMigs]

Dec 27, 2013 23:02:32 GMT -5 Jerry-ADK said:

I have been reading through some of the medic rules on the forum. The last thread mentions using strechers as a mobile CCP. I just happen to have 2 ww2 era field streachers, do you want me to bring them in case we want to use them?

Not sure what Brownien has in mind as far as the medic rules go, but the stretchers are always a nice touch for a mobile aide station. I made up to distinctive "+" flags, one for each side that I've used at my past events to serve as aide stations/re-spawn locations. They seemed to work real well in the absence of stretchers. But personally I think the stretchers are a good idea as they are a lot tougher to move. with the flags, one man can just fold it into his sack and move on, stretchers take an effort and probably two guys to move.

So I say yes if Brownien thinks so.


Migs

[Jerry-ADK]

Dec 28, 2013 11:51:38 GMT -5 SfcMigs said:

Dec 27, 2013 23:02:32 GMT -5 Jerry-ADK said:

I have been reading through some of the medic rules on the forum. The last thread mentions using strechers as a mobile CCP. I just happen to have 2 ww2 era field streachers, do you want me to bring them in case we want to use them?

Not sure what Brownien has in mind as far as the medic rules go, but the stretchers are always a nice touch for a mobile aide station. I made up to distinctive "+" flags, one for each side that I've used at my past events to serve as aide stations/re-spawn locations. They seemed to work real well in the absence of stretchers. But personally I think the stretchers are a good idea as they are a lot tougher to move. with the flags, one man can just fold it into his sack and move on, stretchers take an effort and probably two guys to move.

So I say yes if Brownien thinks so.


Migs

That would be cool, because I would have finally found a use for them that would justify keeping them all these years, lol.  My fire house was throwing them out several years ago, and I grabbed them.  I wish I had grabbed the bundles of burlap sandbags they tossed out too.  But those ain't too hard to make with a roll of burlap, and a sewing machine.

yeah, one guy can drag them, or roll them up and move the strechers pretty quickly.  They aren't very heavy, just awkward.  Hmm...maybe if the CCP has to move and there is a couple of guys in the que they can take turns carrying a man around on the stretcher to the new aid station position, someone could get a free ride!  Dont forget to moan, and scream for Mama...

[ScottCollins]

I recommend everyone who is going to this event bring AT LEAST 3 extra pairs of socks, 2 extra pairs of underwear and and extra shirt to go underneath your jackets as it will probably be very snowy and if snow melts in your sock you will be very uncomfortable.

[shiftysgarand]

Boy, have I learned that the hard way...

[stuka]

Wish our FL. game got this much action =S

[brownien]

Jerry, please do bring those stretcher if you can! I will gladly implement them in as forward aide stations

[knights52]

Looks like I'll probably be able to make it, pretty pumped

[brownien]

Just wanted to ask around, does anyone attending have a German battle flag to put up at the Germsn CP?

[insterburger]

Dec 28, 2013 21:12:56 GMT -5 brownien said:

Just wanted to ask around, does anyone attending have a German battle flag to put up at the Germsn CP?

Well, I have a national flag (and a nice one) that I can bring if needed. No Kriegsflagge though.

[2nd Bat]

I am tallying the gear requests and I will post that which I have boxed up and for whom. That way if there are any additional needs that I can fill I will do so. i am delighted that there are greater needs thn I had antidipated let's just be sure the folks tht have requested it all in fact show up.

[Jerry-ADK]

Dec 28, 2013 20:00:34 GMT -5 brownien said:

Jerry, please do bring those stretcher if you can! I will gladly implement them in as forward aide stations

K, will do.  

[2nd Bat]

remember my plan is to size all the clothes One size larger than the requests so everyone can wear layers underneath. I really suggest everyone begin their layers with long johns and long sleave thermal knitshirt. Be sure to bring a belt.

[Jerry-ADK]

It's been very icy here upstate. We have had at Least 3/4 inch of ice up here near Plattsburgh, more expected today. How is the ice situation down in Ampsterdam? If it is icy down there a pair of ice creepers for your boots would be very helpful. I just got a pair from my boys for Christmas. You can get them at most sporting goods stores. The ones I got are called Yack Tracks, they work great and are easy to put on your boots. I don't think I will wear my period boots, instead I will use my Sorrels. I'd rather be comfortable than period correct, besides, the shoe pack was available to troops at this time. Although supplies were not getting out fast enough to the men on the front line, some soldiers would have received shoe packs, you can see them in some period photos. Also rear echelon troops often got first dibs on the good stuff, men on the front had to suffer the cold and frostbite caused allot of casualties in the winter of 1944. So for boots I highly recommend using sorrel type boots. They are warm, easy to pull the liner out and dry if needed, and kinda period correct. German jackboots might not be too bad because they are not as restricting of blood flow to your feet as US boots. Definantly put some snow seal on them to make them more waterproof. And like said by others earlier, bringing extra dry socks, gloves and under layers is a must. There will be a dryer available at my house for people to use too Saturday night to dry your gear.
I can't wait guys, I am so looking forward to this.