Meuse Argonne Offensive

Invite:

I would like to extend an invitation to you and your unit to participate in our second Great War Living History Weekend; the "Meuse Argonne Offensive."

This event is being sponsored by 8 Kompagnie, Infanterie - Regiment Nr. 459 and will be held at the Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site near Newville, PA.

Objective:

We are once again looking at trying to do something completely different with this event and "jump out box" of the "normal" WW1 routine that we have become accustomed to at the GWA National events.

Don't be fooled this will not be a normal Great War event that you are used too. Where you can come be comfortable and hang out in your bunker. We are looking to explore things that until now have only been reading of. It is our goal to make you feel uncomfortable, fatigued and best of all - Like you just did the ulimate WW1 event.

Rules and Regs:

All units must adhere to the Great War Association's "Individual and Safety" Rules and Regulations.

Registration and event fee is: $35

REGISTRATION APPLICATION

This event will run October 5th [Friday Night] to October 6th [Saturday Afternoon].

***Please note that the event actually will start at 5:00 PM on FRIDAY***

Participants will be taking the field shortly afterwards...Combat will start a little later but if you are late you will not be allowed to "just walk in" to the combat area. All participants will move into postion together...

We will be using "Fate Cards" at this event. For more information about Fate Cards and how they will be used at this event.

Event Rules:

1) This event will be based upon "The Meuse Argonne," ca. September 1918. All impressions will be 1918 only.

2) We are only allowing German and AEF troops at this event.

3) Please note that there will be a stringent authenticity inspection; individuals who fail and cannot make on the spot corrections will not be allowed to participate.

4) This is will be an immersion event and individuals should expect to be treated like soldiers. Actual military practice will be followed as closely as possible in the performance of all duties. Individuals will be under the control of officers and NCOs and will stay in the battle area and perform functions as directed. Units and individual participants will enter and exit the battle area only as ordered. Individuals should attempt to remain in first person throughout the period of play. Individuals and units who do not agree to this, or who do not believe they are capable of complying, should not attend this event.

5) All positions of rank must be pre-approved by event organizers or the respective combat commanders.

6) All German units will be asked to take off their shoulder strap or cover them with a Feldgrau Slide/cover. We are attempting to portray one generic unit, not twenty smaller squads of 5 men.

7) Units will be grouped into authentic-sized elements. While every effort will be made to keep units of 10 or more under their own leadership, the final organization will be based on the number of individuals who attend.

8) All Combat Units must belong to the GWA. Since GWA dues will not be collected, units may wish to use this event as a "check out the hobby" opportunity; all participants must, however, pass the authenticity inspection. Units are likewise strongly advised to consider any potential candidate’s knowledge and reenacting experience before inviting them to this event—this may not be the ideal first event for some reenactors.

9) Position occupation will begin at 5:00 PM Friday afternoon and combat will begin at a pre-determined time. Individuals who arrive after the beginning of the action will report to a central location and be escorted into the into their own lines. Individuals will not be allowed to move forward on their own.

10) Individuals will initially deploy from a central point and march into the battle area, carrying all necessary items with them. Machinegunners and support units (i.e., Combat Commanders and their staffs, and mortar teams) may require a vehicle to deliver gear to their position. They will be allowed to unload but must be completed within one hour and park the vehicle outside the gate. Everyone is required to march into the battle area with their unit; exceptions will be granted only on an individual basis.

11) Complete rations will be provided. Units are asked to bring squad-sized "dixies" to aid in ration receipt. It is requested that individuals not bring food into the trenches; the intent is to replicate the soldiers’ existence in subsisting only on what is provided, when it is provided.

12) The battlefield will be condensed; only the amount of space necessary for the forces present will be used and will be strictly enforced.

13) The battlefield can be littered with assorted debris to add to the authenticity. Please bring extra helmets, used equipment, etc. that you might have. Please, no plastic Halloween props.

14) For more information concerning this event, contact: Max Stiebritz of 8 Kompagnie, Infanterie - Regiment Nr. 459.