Heartbreak in the Shale:
The Battle of Loos, late 1915

October 1-3, 2010

I would like to extend an invitation to you and your unit to participate in our second Great War Living History Event; "Heartbreak in the Shale: Loosely based on the Battle of the Loos, late 1915."

Here is a quick starting point on the Battle of the Loos:

http://www.1914-1918.net/bat13.htm

Please take the time to read a bit so you can explore our objective for the weekend...

This event is being sponsored by the Infanterie - Regiment Nr. 459 and the Guards Division, BEF which is to be held at the Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site near Newville, PA.

Objective:

We are still looking at trying to do things completely different with our events. While we are jumping out of the "normal" WW1 routine that we have become accustomed to at the "GWA National events".

Now 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. Rain, shine, cold and miserable it is our goal to make you feel uncomfortable, fatigued and best of all - Like you just did a great WW1 event.

Rules and Regs:

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

Pre - Registration: $40

At the Gate: $50

This event will run [Friday Night] 6:00 PM to [Saturday Afternoon] TBD.

****Please note that it starts at 6:00 PM on FRIDAY****
Anyone arriving later will have to wait at the "Dump Area" until a fatigue detail comes by and can escort you to the lines.

***Please note that NO mortars or rifle grenades will be allowed, due to the fact of wearing Fatigue Caps and Picklehauben***

REGISTRATION FORM

<<Please take the form to download the form above>>

Event Rules:

1) This event will be loosely based on "The Battle of Loos," ca. October 1915. All impressions will be late 1915 only (see the Uniform Requirements, below). Only German, French, British, and Commonwealth troops (but will have to portray BEF troops) may participate. There will be a stringent authenticity inspection; individuals who fail and cannot make on the spot corrections will not be allowed to participate.

2) This is 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.

3) 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.

4) 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.

5) Position occupation will begin at 8:00 PM Friday evening and will last until a pre-determined time Saturday. Individuals who arrive after the beginning of the action will report to a central location and be escorted into the into the lines. Individuals will not be allowed to move forward on their own.

6) The battlefield will be condensed; only the amount of space necessary for the forces present will be used.

7) Units will be grouped into authentic-sized elements. While every effort will be made to keep units of 8-10 or more under their own leadership, the final organization will be based on the number of individuals who attend the event.

Allied Commander: Jon Kulaga

Central Powers Commander: Lou Brown

8) 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) 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.

9) Complete rations will be provided. Units are asked to bring squad-sized messkits or dixies to aid in ration receipt. It is requested individuals not bring extra food (and tobacco products) into the trenches; the intent is to replicate the soldiers’ existence in subsisting only on what is provided, when it is provided.

10) The battlefield can be littered with assorted debris to add to the authenticity. Please bring extra helmets, used equipment, trench trash, etc. that you might have to add to each others time travel. Please, no plastic Halloween props.

11) At the completion of this event, participants are invited to attend an evening "social" put on by the event sponsors. It is the hope that a feedback questionnaire will be provided with the purpose of improving the event for a latter event.

13) For more information concerning this event, contact: Max Stiebritz of 8 Kompagnie, Infanterie - Regiment Nr. 459 or Jim Higginbottom of the Guard's Division (BEF).

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

BRITISH

Unit Portrayed: 2nd Ox and Bucs

Uniform

Tunic: A)1907 pattern w/emergency field dressing in the inside skirt pocket

Trousers: 1907 pattern

Field hat: 1903 pattern "Stiff " SD cap is preferred but the Trench Cap can be used.

Insignia: We are portraying the 2nd Ox and Bucks. Insignia is not required but if you want, the standard Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry capbadge and shoulder titles.

Alternate Impression: Also portraying the 8th Blackwatch.

Uniform

Tunic: Standard British tunic or (Scottish) cutaway tunic (orders in 1915 eliminated the cut-aways but they still were worn.

Trousers: Kilt with Kilt Cover (Full wrap).

Field hat: Soft cap - Tam-o-Shanter started to be issued in 1916 after Loos - to be correct, I think that the BW should be wearing a non-diced glengarry?

Equipment

Leather/web gear: Complete set of either the P. 08 webbing or P. 14 leather gear.

Canteen: Blue Enamel Water bottle with a brown wool cover.

Contents of the Pack may include: a towel, holdall, hussif (sewing kit), razor, shaving brush / mirror boot brush, tooth brush, button stick, flannel and soap, Socks, Drawers, Vest, and Shirt.

Loading of the Packs

Large pack contents & packing order etc:

1) Spare shirt & underwear,
2) Soap & towel,
3) Cap comforter all laying flat, in first.
4) Greatcoat in on top,
5) 4 brushes - 2 each side of great coat,
6) Brass polish & dubbin/blacking on top of 2 brushes one side,
7) Spare socks, &
8) Hussif & holdall on brushes other side.
9) Mess tin in cover if it will fit in or attach to base of large pack.
10) Last in is waterproof sheet under flap of large pack.

Small pack:

1) Emergency iron ration,
2) One lb of corned beef (1 tin),
3) Three army biscuits & maybe cheese or bacon,
4) Tea & sugar in a double ended tin, &
5) Clasp knife with lanyard.

Ration Bag.
Field dressing and Iodine Ampoule*
Cap Comforter.*
Clasp knife and lanyard or belt hook.*
Blanket.*
Pay Book.*
Period looking spectacles, if worn.* *Optional

Gas mask: Can use either the Hypo Hood (single rectangle eye piece) or the PH helmets (two eye pieces with nipple) in canvas bag.

A) SMLE #1 Mk3 w/ web sling for P 08, or leather for P 14 Vickers,
B) Lewis Gun
C) Webleys (all mk's) acceptable.

Bayonet: M1907 pattern for SMLE

Misc

*Note: The Rectangular Ground Sheet is acceptable (but the Cape is NOT acceptable).

*Note: NO OVERSEAS SERVICE STRIPES.

GERMAN

Unit Portrayed: Units are coming as Generic Germans (i.e: Shoulder strap less). The amount of troops will determine squad strength at the time of the event.

Uniform

Tunic: 1907/10 Waffenrock, 1915 simplified Waffenrock, or the 1915 Bluse

Trousers: Feldgrau trousers, Stonegray trousers with red piping or Manchesterhosen (private purchased corduroy trousers).

Field hat (Feldmütze): Must be of the 1907 variety (Feldgrau with a red (infantry) or black (technical troops) band).

*Note: No Einheitsfeldmützen will be allowed.

Footwear (Marschstielfels): A) Jackboots in either side seamed or rear seamed boots. Jackboots are PREFERRED but...

*Note: Brown boots are PREFERRED.

*Note: Future early war events will limit the usage of ankle boots and leg wraps.

Equipment

Helmets (Helme): Spiked helmets (Helme) will be worn and will be encouraged.

*Note: This year we will only allow helmets without the spike. All helmets must be spikeless to play.

*Please Note: That you can purchase removeable spikes from Hessen Antiques or simply take your spike off.

*Helmet covers w/ or w/out subdued numbers are required.

*Note: IR459 did not exist...Therefore your helmet cover should be numberless.

*Spiked Helmes without covers will not be permitted.

*Participants without helms will be allowed on a limited basis.

Leather Gear (Complete waistbelt set):

A) Belt and Buckle
*Note: Buckles can be either Brass (early war) or painted steel buckles. Belts must be brown belts (Rough side out).

B) Breadbag, Breadbag strap and Canteen
*Note: Ochre Breadbags and Ochre Breadbag straps are encouraged but Gray bags can be used.

C) Bayonet and Frog
*Note: Preferred bayonet is the 98/05 Butcher bayonet. Can be substituted with an Ersatz bayonet as well.

D) E-tool and cover

Gas Mask: The earlier "Gummimaske" is preferred; but if one is not owned, the individual may utilize the "Lederschutzmaske."

*We understand that not everyone has a cloth gasmask bag. If you have one. You are encourage to use it.

* If not a Gasmask Can (Carrier) can be used.

Weapons

1) Gew 98 with slings,
2) MG08,
3) Handguns

*Note: Please limit the usage of handguns to ranking NCO's. Not everyone was issued a handgun. If you found one, & used it fine but where would you get the extra ammunition from? From another dead Tommie. How long will you keep the extra weight before tossing it?

Tornisters are encouraged to be used.

Tornister contents & packing order

1) 1 shirt
2) 1 pair of drawers
3) 1 Hankerchief
4) 1 pair of socks or Footwraps

1) Coffee
2) Wrist Warmers
3) Toque
4) Belly warmer
5) "Hold All"
5) Zigaretten (Extra smokes), lighter[s], Smoking pipe, etc

1) Extra ammo on strippers (if you have a pack with side pockets)
2) Zeltbahn bag (Poles, pegs, and rope)
3) Zeltbahn wrapped around an overcoat
4) Messkit
5) Food/Meat Can
6) Gewehr 98 cleaning kit
7) Oil can for Gewehr 98

Misc:

*Note: No wound badges will be allowed.

*Note: Please limit the usage of the Iron Cross first class. In real life only the very best heros of the Fatherland were bestowed this honor. So please ask yourself how many of you actually charged a real machinegun or saved lives to earn that award.

FRENCH

Units Portrayed: 18 RI and the 151 RI

Uniform

Tunic (Mle.1914/15 Capote): The single-breasted breasted greatcoats are encouraged. The Double-breasted overcoat did not make an appearance until October 1916 but only in few numbers. Distribution of the double-breasted essentially took place over the 1916-17 winter.

*Note: We will allow the usage of the Double Breasted Overcoat for this event.

Also allowed will be Ersatz overcoats made of Corduroy and Cadet Gray.

Trousers (Mle.1914/1915 Pantalon-Culotte): These are made loose in the thigh and tight from the knee down, these were meant to be worn with leg wraps. Made in horizon blue wool and since April 1915, were piped in yellow down the outer seams.

*Note: We will allow the usage of brown corduroy trousers.

Field hat: Must be either the Mle.1914 Képi (Kepi Hat) or the Mle.1891/15 Bonnet de Police (Side Cap).

Equipment

Helmet (Mle.1915 Casque Adrian): A) The Model 1915 "Adrian" pattern steel helmet, painted either horizon blue.

B) Helmets must have either a pressed metal badge on the front, which resembled a "flaming bomb" with the letters "RF" (République Française) in the center or a "hunting horn" badge.

*Note: The usage of helmet covers will be allowed.

Leathers: Complete set of leather gear M1892/1914: Consisting of in both black and fawn color are fine but black was still the dominant color throughout 1916.

*Note: The usage of Ersatz ammunition pouches will be allowed.

Canteens (Mle.1877 Bidon): Canteen can be either the 1-liter or the 2-liter. The 1-liter canteen were being replaced during 1915. Just in time for the fall Champagne Offensive.

However, some men kept onto their 1-liter canteens as a supplementary canteen to use in the attack. They were often used to hold brandy or rum, as well. But 2-liter is the rule.

Haversack (Musette): Each man should be carrying 'two'. The Musette bags are made of a linen canvas that can range in color from tan to brown.

*Note: Green French bread bags were post-war issue, so we don't allow them.

Gas Mask (Le Tampon "T"): The Tampon "T" masks are based on the "Compress" C2/C3 style gas mask used by both the British and French in early 1915. This mask was made in a separate pieces which consisting of a compress "bandage" which was soaked in an anti-gas solution and wool/celluloid goggles (lunettes).

*Note: The mask was carried in a small cloth bag.

Weapons

Rifle (Fusil d'Infanterie Mle.1886 dit "Lebel"): Here we will have to be more lenient because not everyone can get their hands on a Lebel.

*Note: Order of preference: M1886 Lebel, M1907/15 Berthier, M1916 Berthier.

Hotchkiss M1914: Standard machine gun of the French Army during World War I.

Pistolet Automatique de 7 millim.65 genre "Ruby" (Pistol): A pistol may be carried but not openly for enlisted personnel. MG did teams carry the 1915 Ruby Automatic.

Bayonets (Epée-Baïonnette Mle.1886): The Model 1886 (with quillon) is good as is the model 1886/15 (without the quillon). I've never read of soldiers grinding the quillon off themselves though I guess it's possible.

Backpack (Mle.1893 Havresac): are encouraged to be used

The pack carried a variety of personal and squad equipments, such as the following:

1) Couverture (blanket)
2) Mle.1897/14 Toile de Tente Individuelle (individual shelter half)
3) Mle.1908 Moitiés de Demi-Support (tent poles)
4) Piquets de Tente (tent stakes)
5) Mle.1852 Gamelle Individuelle (individual mess kit)
6) Extra pair of field service shoes

Squad Camp Utensils:

Untensiles de Campement (squad camp utensils) -- Each member of the squad was issued 1 of the following different types of squad camp utensils (the whole of which consisted of 2 plates of four, 4 marmite pots, 2 canvas buckets, 1 collapsible lantern and 1 coffee grinder for every two squads). This was modified later some during the war.

1) Gamelle de Campement dit Plat à Quatre (plate of four)
2) Marmite dit Bouthéon (marmite pot)
3) Mle.1896 Moulin à Café "Klepper" (coffee grinder)
4) Mle.1881 Seau en Toile (canvas bucket)
5) Mle.1910 Lanterne à Bougie "Montjardet" (lantern)

Company E-Tool:

One of the following -- L'Outil Individuel (company E-tool) -- Sometimes called Outil Individuel d'Escouade (individual squad E-tool), these tools however, were issued by the company, not the squad. Each member of the company was issued a different type of E-tool.

1) Mle.1879 Pelle Portative and Mle.1879 Bêche Portative (portable shovel)
2) Mle.1909 Pelle-Pioche (single-headed pick)
3) Mle.1916 Pioche Portative (double-headed pick)
4) Hache Portative (Hatchet)
5) Mle.1915 Grande Cisaille (Large Wire Cutters)