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Alter Mann – Italian issued tinned beef, the tins were marked with the initials A.M. & the soldier’s claimed it was made from old men!
Churchill-Pimmel – Churchill’s dick, solidly crafted nickname for Blutwurst (Blood sausage).
Dachschwein – Roof pig! Due to meat shortages starving civilians put cats in the pot!
Drahverhau – Barbed wire entanglement! Mixed vegetables to you and me which were hard and lumpy and served with the Eiserne Portion (iron ration).
Frontkameradsuppe – front comrade’s soup. A stew of beans, potatoes and ham – “the comrades” – this meal would keep well in cold/cool weather and was edible when cold (but preferably served hot). In hot/warm weather vinegar was added to preserve it, it was sometimes prepared for later use and carried in the mess kit during the day.
Horst Wessel-Suppe – A meatless, flavourless soup, in other words with nothing to it, just as there was little to the over-inflated Nazi martyrdom of Horst Wessel!
Karo einfach – Simple diamond – Trockenes Brot or Dauerbrot (dry bread). Officially this issue of black rye bread, preserved with cinnamon, was called Kommissbrot. Karo einfach is the lowest opening bid in the German card game of Skat (where diamonds are the lowest of the four suits).
Mussolini-Kartoffeln – Mussolini Potatoes – any meal of pasta!
Nazibohnen – Nazi beans (Sojabohnnen – soy beans). The NSDAP promoted healthy foods and soy beans, previously unpopular in Germany, were one of these.
Quatschschwein – Balcony pig – rabbits raised as food by starving civilians coping with meat shortages.
Rϋckzugpastete – Retreat pastry – Italian tomato sauce – a reference to the idea that the Italians were seen to have a propensity to retreat! No doubt served with Mussolini-Kartoffeln
Russische Schokoladen – Russian chocolates – sunflower seeds, black in colour, plentiful in Russia and eaten by the Russian peasants as snacks.
Stalintorte – Stalin’s pastry – tasteless but filling, army-issue black dry bread, (see Karo einfach).
Wassersuppe – Water soup – soup with so few ingredients that it was little more than flavoured hot water (see Horst Wessel-Suppe).
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Firstly apologies are due to all our regular visitors to the site but unfortunately I’ve been extremely busy over the close season and have neglected to keep the website updated. So to make up for my tradiness I finally added pictures selected from the many taken at last years War and Peace and Victory shows.
So, I thought it was time to let you all know what is going on in the Windhund at present. The new season is only a few months away and we are busy putting our calendar together for another exciting season with some new venues being added to our regular shows so keep an eye on our ‘Events Diary’ page on the website to see where we are planning to go to this year. The season as always starts with our annual internal ‘bootcamp’, an opportunity to get the gang back together and blow the cobwebs off and review and renew of knowledge on period drill, weapons handling and tactical drills. This year sees us at a new venue for bootcamp at Ashdown Camp (http://www.freewebs.com/ashdowncamp/) and I will be providing a full review of the weekend and uploading some photographs from the event so that you can see all the hard work we put in to perfect what we do and to also show you what fun we have doing it!
The Windhund as always are on the lookout for new recruits and if you want more information about the group and what you need to do to join us then drop me a line at panzer.grenadier@blueyonder.co.uk and I’ll be happy to answer all your questions, three new recruits have already taken the bold step of joining us, are you ready too?
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue – ‘Ploughs to Propellers’ 1940s weekend, Rougham Airfield, Rougham, Suffolk, IP30 9ND
What the real 116 was doing in early October 1944?
Arnhem – Operation Market Garden has failed to capture the bridge at Arnhem but British forces from 30 Corps still hold large parts of the city of Arnhem itself. The 116th Panzer Division has been pulled out of the heavy fighting around the German city of Aachen, to support and strengthen the German forces already in Arnhem trying to further deny the Allies access to a ‘back-door’ into Germany. Due to the fact that the Allies control the skies the division is being fed in to the battle in a piecemeal fashion. The grenadiers of the 60th and 156th Panzer Grenadier regiments are quickly involved in trying to dislodge a resolute Allied force from their current positions whilst the engineers of Panzer Pioneer Battalion 675 are busy constructing rafts and pontoon bridges to ferry the grenadiers and the armoured regiments across the river into Arnhem and also clearing paths through mined areas to aid the speed up of getting the fighting troops into battle as quickly as possible.
What will we be doing?
We will be displaying as a Pioneer Kompanie CP area with its usual staff & with an attached Assault/Protection squad preparing to perform their assigned mine clearance duties as described above. The usual command tent will not be there so we will have to use the tented area and therefore focus will mainly fall on the kit we have to hand, what limited command items that are brought along will be located between the two large tents as we used to do last year. Those who have Zelt tents please bring them along so that they can be erected nearby and give the Assault squad an area to assemble around in order to keep them away from the smaller than usual CP area (as I believe that this was a bit of a problem at the Victory show). As stated the Assault squad will therefore be sited around this ‘zelted’ area, with suitable weapons and equipment being located nearby either being cleaned or prepared for going out on patrol. Additionally, as there is limited scope at Rougham for digging in all display features will be situated above ground.
This is our second outing for our Pioneer impression so the emphasis will be on the role of these specialist combat troops and the equipment that they used so we need to provide a factual yet subtly different impression than our current one used for PGR60. If we have the capacity to perform combat patrols we will do so and these will be used to add to the training & development of the new recruits to the group as well as being used to refresh these skills for the ‘old hands’. If these patrols are mounted it will be left to the Kompanie staff to man the display and deal with the public in the absence of the Assault squad, which I’m sure will prove to be no problem for them.
Responsibilities
First and foremost we are there to set up our main display area (as described above) to our usual Living History standards, we will then man these positions and engage the public.
This is a well established event and we know fully what to expect so once again, let’s set a very good impression, engage and educate the public and basically do what we do best!
Dress Code
Primary Uniform requirements - Field grey wool uniforms are required in standard format when manning the display, wear your Pioneer shoulder boards please for this event. If the weather is warm or if you do not yet possess a wool uniform then ‘Drillich’ (HBT) uniforms can be worn.
Remember if you changed your combat assault badge last time to change it back to the correct type as worn by Pioneers.
No camo to be worn around the CP area unless in a reporting capacity. Camo is only to be worn by the Assault squad IF moving of display in the form of a combat patrol. If in doubt check with the CO first!
Combat kit - Full Pioneer combat assault kit is to be brought along with you but only worn when enacting as non CP troops and if moving off display. If you are unsure of your exact role within the Pioneer squad, contact Martin or myself ASAP.
Additionally, minimal belt order must be maintained and the correct headgear must be worn by the Assault squad whilst on duty (display) unless authorised by the squad leader or the CO.
CP staff to wear minimal belt order and the correct headgear at all times when on duty.
Weapons – As we are displaying as the Stürm Pioneers of Panzer Pioneer Battalion 675, we can be more heavily armed, as indeed they were in reality, therefore the use of Stg44’s, PPSH’s and additional MP40’s & MG42’s is authorised for this event.
Remember you are enacting a situation of being in or near a combat zone and as such should be armed (or near your weapons) at all times.
Evening wear
The normal group guidelines for evening wear will apply. If you are new to the group and are unsure as to what the guidelines are please check with the CO. From recollection there is a beer tent & ‘disco’ at the event, but in the past there has been a little ‘confusion’ over Panzer Blacks. It is recommended that if you wish to use the beer tent during the evenings to restrict your dress to ‘Feldgrau’ or normal ‘civvies’ to avoid any confusion!
Arrival
Please try to arrive during Friday if possible. We have much to do and unit tents need erecting and the display needs to be set up to our usual high standards. If you plan to arrive at any other time during the weekend you will need vehicle passes, therefore it is imperative that you contact Wayne ASAP to organise your pass!
Departure
I suggest that about 3.30pm – 4pm on the Sunday afternoon that we should make a start on the task of breaking camp. The gates close at 5pm to the public so I don’t see that there is any need for us not to make a start on these tasks at the time I’ve suggested, some of us have longer journeys home than others so if we all muck in again it will ensure that we have the best use of manpower to complete these tasks in the best possible time and with a minimal presence kept on the rope line to deal with the public then we should all be able to leave as soon as we are able to.
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
Rougham is situated 2 miles east of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. To get to the venue take Junction 45 off the A14 which is sign posted for Rougham Industrial Estate and follow the signs from there along General Castle Way.
Use the postcode quoted at the top to help to plan your route to this event.
Nearest Hospital (A & E)
Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, Tel – 01223 245151
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy if you have not yet completed the Health & Safety log or are new to the group.
Weapons log – Deactivation certificate details required to complete our weapons Safety log, please ensure you bring the relevant details for this too again only if you haven’t already done this or are new to the group, please liaise with Lee to complete this.
Weapons Safety Course – For those of you new to the group or if you have not completed your course this season then please liaise with Lee over the course of the weekend to complete this.
Authenticity Review – Getting the uniform right is only half of what you need to become a period German soldier, particularly useful for the new guys in the group, will we be looking at some finer points on how to further enhance your impression!
German Soldiers School – A new feature to be introduced at all events in future, held by the Training & Authenticity Officer (or his deputy) to aid you in improving those basic skills that the German Landser would have known as a matter of course. Attendance is not compulsory but completion of these modules will certainly be helpful in improving your overall impression and fleshing out your own understanding of the man you portray!
Additional Information
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue- THE VICTORY SHOW - Friday, 4 September 2009 - Sunday, 6 September 2009 held at Foxlands Farm, Cosby, Leicestershire, LE9 1SG
What the real 116 was doing in early September 1944?
Following the disaster at Falaise/Argentan in August the Division survivors were conducting a fighting retreat through Belgium. Reports state that on the 6 September the remaining Panzer grenadier units of the 60th and 156th were in constant fighting around designated strongpoints. There were even rumours circulating at higher levels of a strong armoured counter attack by the 16th Panzer Regiment at this time but as they had only 5 ‘runners’ available on 6 September this was nothing more than a ‘smokescreen’ and bore no relation to what was actually happening in the field! By the 7 September the Windhund stood in a curve between Tongern and the Meuse, north of Lϋttich (see map below). The battle strength at that time was reported to be as follows:
· Two Panzer Grenadier Regiments with about 300 men each
· A Panzer Regiment with 12 tanks
· 4 Light and 2 heavy field howitzers, 1 105mm field gun, 3 Russian howitzers.
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The Pioneers are holding the bridge at Namur open and preparing it for demolition meanwhile the remnants of the divisions other units are being evacuated via the bridge to new positions on the other side of the river Maas as described above and with their backs towards the border of the Reich!
What will we be doing?
We will be enacting troops regrouping following the retreat as described above, with the CP area set for the re-organisation of the troops to new positions. Those enacting Assault troops will be manning our temporary security positions and preparing for or returning from battle. As you know we should be involved in the organised battles over the weekend so a large part of each day will be taken up in the preparation and taking part in those battles, if time allows and space can be found the squad can go out on ‘patrol’ and practice field skills. Those not taking part in the ‘battle’ will be manning the display and maintaining the security of our kit.
Responsibilities
First and foremost we are there to set up our main display area to our usual Living History standards, positions will require digging out and building up so please bring spades and picks etc and be prepared to muck in. The Unit tents will also require putting up, space allocated for the Vehicles and Flak and smaller zeltbahn tents. We will also have Nick & Michaela with us and space will need to be allocated for this too.
This is a well established event and we know fully what to expect so once again, let’s set a very good impression, engage and educate the public and basically do what we do best!
Battle
We have been invited to take part in the battle on both the Saturday & Sunday afternoons, more details about our role within the battle itself is detailed below in the appendix.
Weapons Hire
Is by Vickers, if you are intending to take part in the battle and you haven’t already sorted this out then I suggest you get your skates on!
Dress Code
Primary Uniform requirements - Field grey wool uniforms are required in standard format when manning the display, wear your Panzer Grenadier shoulder boards please for this event.
Remember if you have changed your Combat assault badge last time to change to the correct type for a Panzer Grenadier.
No camo to be worn around the CP area unless in a reporting capacity. Check with the CO if in doubt as to whether camo can be worn.
If the weather is warm or if you do not yet possess a wool uniform then ‘Drillich’ (HBT) uniforms can be worn. Dirty would be good!
Bandages – We are to portray the battered remnants of the Division so let’s go for the lightly wounded look – if you could walk and still hold your rifle – then it’s back into the line for you!
Combat kit - Full grenadier combat kit is to be brought along with you but only worn when enacting as non CP troops and if moving off display. Additionally, minimal belt order must be maintained and the correct headgear must be worn by the grenadier squad whilst on duty (display) unless authorised by the squad leader or the CO.
CP staff to wear minimal belt order and the correct headgear at all times when on duty.
Weapons – Primarily K98’s, MP40’s & MG42’s where appropriate, no MP44’s or PPSH’s authorised for this event.
Remember you are enacting a situation of being in or near a combat zone and as such should be armed (or near your weapons) at all times.
Evening wear
The normal group guidelines for evening wear will apply. If you are new to the group and are unsure as to what the guidelines are please check with the CO. There will be two beer tents on site and also a dinner dance on the Saturday night; if you want a ticket for this dance then you will need to John Griffin ASAP and he’ll provide you with the organisers contact details.
Arrival
Please try to arrive during Friday if possible. We have much to do and unit tents need erecting and the display needs to be set up to our usual high standards. If you plan to arrive at any other time during the weekend you will need site passes, therefore it is imperative that you contact John Griffin ASAP to organise your pass! Additionally ensure you have your Windhund membership card with you too!
Departure
We may need to fill in the dugout positions before leaving in addition to taking down tents and packing away kit. Therefore I suggest that once the battle is over on the Sunday afternoon which should be complete by 4pm at the latest that we should make an immediate start on these tasks then. The gates close at 5pm to the public so I don’t see that there is any need for us not to make a start on these tasks at the time I’ve suggested, some of us have longer journeys home than others so if we all muck in again it will ensure that we have the best use of manpower to complete these tasks in the best possible time.
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
Use the postcode quoted at the top to help to plan your route to this event.
Nearest Hospital (A & E)
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW Tel 03003 031573
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy if you have not yet completed the Health & Safety log or are new to the group.
Weapons log – Deactivation certificate details required to complete our weapons Safety log, please ensure you bring the relevant details for this too again only if you haven’t already done this or are new to the group, please liaise with Lee to complete this.
Weapons Safety Course – For those of you new to the group or if you have not completed your course this season then please liaise with Lee over the course of the weekend to complete this.
Authenticity Review – Getting the uniform right is only half of what you need to become a period German soldier, particularly useful for the new guys in the group will we be looking at some finer points on how to further enhance your impression!
Additional Information
Appendix. (Battle breifing from AFRA)
Brief Scenario.
British troops occupy positions at the audience end of the field. They are in defence of a battery of 25lber guns which are camouflaged and laid up. The area will be identified as a 100m square disked area free of stubble.
A German Column enters the field some hundreds of metres away. Unable to identify it the British Position sends a jeep out in reconnaissance. The German column continues heading away but suddenly turns at right angles and begins to proceed parallel to the British Positions. It halts as it spots the British recce patrol. The Panzer III fires a shot at the jeep and narrowly misses. The Jeep rushes back to the battery to report.
As the jeep arrives back and makes its report, the guns are uncovered and made ready. The German Column is now trying to identify what’s happening and is momentarily caught unawares.
With all the protective infantry in taking cover in trenches, the battery opens up on the German Column. Shells fall all around the Germans forcing the dismounted infantry to dive to the ground.
The barrage continues and the Germans make a decision to drive forwards under the guns to get under their range – They will also attack and destroy the battery in the process. So the vehicles are mustered into another right hand turn and form a front facing the Allied positions. The infantry is withdrawn behind the vehicles for protection and the advance begins. Firing as it goes the German advance threatens the Guns and takes several out in the process. As the German vehicles reach the haystacks they halt and fan out, allowing the Infantry to move forwards. Using the haystacks as cover the Infantry engages the protective screen of British and American troops in trenches.
The Germans seem to be gaining the edge when suddenly from a flank, three US tanks appear. They pull up at a good range end begin to engage the German light armour – Quickly demolishing them. From another flank the British call up a Carrier and a Halftrack and possibly a jeep or two. This comes in to support the attack. At the same time, the US troops call in armoured Halftrack personnel carriers which deploy and deposit the ground troops to pin down the Germans.
This time the barrage will fall directly on the German Positions and ALL GERMAN PARTICIPANTS MUST BE UNDER COVER AND STATIC. No Allied must move forwards at this time into the danger area although they must ready themselves to take their given objective.
The firefight now becomes intense and some Germans make a run for it –
Each Organic Allied Unit taking part will be given a position or positions to capture. This is to avoid the confusion often experienced at the end. Take note of your objective and stick to it. The Units in trenches will wait until a Pyrotechnician gives them the all clear to move forwards. . They will then fight forwards using supporting fire from the Flanks. The British troops capture the nearest Centre Haystacks and then signal the US troops forward.
NO DIRECT FIRE AT CLOSE RANGE. NO POINTING LOADED WEAPONS DIRECTLY AT ANY PERSONNEL NO HAND TO HAND FIGHTING. NO ATROCITIES, CRUELTY, LOOTING ETC.
All German Troops are captured and sent to the rear. (German Vehicle Holding Area). Once this is achieved the Pyro Crew Chief will signal Endex with three long whistle blasts.
Battle Methodology (Running Order)
PHASE 1
British Forces dug in at showground end of field in support of Garrison’s 25lber Battery.
German Forces enter field at far gate and turn left way from Allies.
German Forces proceed up to roadside hedgerow and begin to traverse field
British Send a recce vehicle out to identify moving column
Vehicle gets to end of bales and begins to observe.
As they realise it’s an enemy column the PzIII fires a shot which is a near miss.
Recce vehicle makes a rapid withdrawal and reports back.
Brits stand to and Battery uncovers Guns.
PHASE 2
German Column stalls as a result of tank opening fire.
Battery makes ready and opens fire on Column
Shots fall either side of column and it begins to make a run for it.
Shots continue to fall on column so it turns to get inside the range of the guns and also to assault the position.
German column turns right and forms extended line.
German column begins to advance under fire whilst returning fire.
Some 25lbers are silenced.
Germans get inside the range of the guns and deploy troops into the haystacks.
PHASE 3
British Troops Dug in engage Enemy Ground forces and a firefight begins
German Light Armour fires upon Guns and Infantry inflicting Losses.
Battle becomes a little static but Germans advance slowly to edge of Haystacks nearest Trenches.
PHASE 4
Suddenly Three American Tanks appear and begin to engage German armour.
German Armour begins to be taken out and burn.
US halftrack enter on the Allied Left Flank and form a protective screen to debus US Infantry
British Halftrack and Carrier enters on Right flank to support counterattack.
Germans begin to withdraw under fire.
Allies push both flanks to encircle German Forces and once they reach the Haystacks the German’s who have not withdrawn surrender.
ENDEX.
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RAF Upwood, Ramsey 1940’s weekend – After Action Report
As always this is an event that the group looks forward to in its calendar and once again were pleased with the overall reception it received from the public for our display and our interaction with them with the added bonus of our Pioneer impression going 'live'. The weather was excellent and brought out many thousands of visitors to the show over both days. As always the members were kept extremely busy interacting with the public fielding their questions with the usual expertise and friendliness. One of the highlights for us over the weekend was to mount a Pioneer patrol and sweep for ‘mines’ through the public arena, great fun for us and a brilliant photo opportunity for the public. Our newer members were also integrated into the group and ‘treated’ to some drill from Steve T and included in the patrols to help their initiation run as smoothly as possible as well as running through some field drills with them.
On one of the days we presented a genuine wartime WRVS painting which was recently discovered gathering dust and forgotten in the workplace by ‘Der Spiess’, Dave Toynton, to the ladies of the WRVS at the show – below is a picture of Dave making the presentation of the picture to the ladies - this piece of forgotten history was gratefully received by the WRVS ladies and will no doubt feature as a backdrop in their refreshments tent in the future!
We also had the pleasure of meeting two young ladies from the Bletchley Park museum who were at the show with an Enigma machine and invited us to attend their ‘Enigma Reunion’ event on the 5th and 6th September 2009. This event includes 70 Enigma cipher machines on display, the Colossus and the Bombe, talks from experts, re-enactment groups, a fly past from the Battle of Britain memorial flight plus all the normal museum exhibits. It promises to be a great weekend and we as a group would have loved to have attended their show but for our previous commitment to the Victory Show on the same dates! Never mind, there is always next year providing the dates are changed! Anyway, if you can’t get to see us at the Victory Show next weekend and are in the vicinity of Milton Keynes why not pop along and soak in some real history and see some of the key artefacts in the fight to topple the Nazis!
The website for the show is: http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/
So it finally comes to me to extend the thanks of the group to the organisers of the Ramsey Show for inviting us to their show, we had a great time and we look forward to returning to the show in 2010.
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue- Ramsey 1940’s weekend - RAF Upwood, Ramsey, PE26 2RA,22nd – 23rd August 2009
What the real 116 was doing in late August 1944?
On the 20th August 1944 the situation in the Falaise ‘Kessel’ had worsened and finally orders were received to prepare for a breakout to the east. All divisional troops were ordered to disengage the enemy after dark and to rally south of St.Lambert to prepare for the proposed breakout.
Stürm Pioneers of Panzer Pioneer Battalion 675 were at that time supporting the tanks of 1st Battalion Panzer Regiment 24 and 1st Battalion Panzer Regiment 33 (9th Panzer Division) as part of ‘Kampfgruppe Scholz’ and were heavily engaged with the enemy at Argentan when the orders were received. Disengagement was finally achieved but in the ensuing confusion Pioneers of 2 Kompanie were left behind by speeding vehicles leaving the scene too soon! Unfortunately ‘Kampfgruppe Scholz’ took a wrong turn and headed in error towards Trun and was once again engaged by the enemy and failed to join the breakout forces.
Meanwhile the ‘abandoned’ Pioneers of 2nd Kompanie under Oberleutnant Kuschel had no other choice but to make the rendezvous for the planned divisional breakout on foot through potentially enemy held territory as the ‘Kessel’ starts to collapse!
By 23rd August 1944 all remaining elements of the Division taking part in the breakout had escaped bringing out only 600 men who brought with them 12 tanks but none of its artillery, amongst those lucky enough to escape was the remnants of Kuschel’s Kompanie.
Of all the units that made up the division the most badly mauled was PGR156, I/PGR60 and Panzer Pioneer Battalion 675. Kampfgruppe Scholz as stated earlier also failed to escape. Support units of the division had already been evacuated by the time the Falaise pocket had been sealed by the Allies and are not included in the number quoted above.
What will we be doing?
We will be displaying as a Pioneer Kompanie CP area with attached dispatch drivers & appropriate staff & officials with an attached Assault squad preparing for their escape from the Falaise ‘Kessel’ or alternatively recovering following the breakout. Additionally we should have a good selection of vehicles to complement the display. There is, as always, no scope at Ramsey for digging in so all display features will have to be above ground.
This is our ‘go-live’ for our Pioneer impression so the emphasis will be on the role of these specialist combat troops and the equipment that they used so we need to provide a factual yet subtly different impression than our current one used for PGR60, in such a way so that we can keep each identity separate for each unit type.
As we have limited display space, lots of people, tents and vehicles the pitch will possibly be a little cluttered to say the least! Therefore we will use this opportunity to mount several reconnaissance patrols preparing for disengagement and breakout through enemy held territory. If possible I would like to enact the ‘exfiltration’ of the Pioneer troops mentioned above as a photo opportunity and a chance to sharpen our field skills again pending the forthcoming ‘battles’ at the Victory Show in early September or to enact the shattered remnants of the division resting and recovering outside the Falaise ‘Kessel’.
Responsibilities
First and foremost we are there to set up our main display area (as described above) to our usual Living History standards, we will then man these positions and engage the public.
This is a well established event and we know fully what to expect so once again, let’s set a very good impression, engage and educate the public and basically do what we do best!
Dress Code
Primary Uniform requirements - Field grey wool uniforms are required in standard format when manning the display, wear your Pioneer shoulder boards please for this event. If the weather is warm or if you do not yet possess a wool uniform then ‘Drillich’ (HBT) uniforms can be worn.
If you have been authorised to wear an assault badge please ensure it is the correct type for the type of soldier you are portraying, i.e. the General Assault badge.
No camo to be worn around the CP area unless in a reporting capacity. Check with the CO if in doubt as to whether camo can be worn – (this will be discussed at the ‘O’ group meeting, there may be an opportunity for this when patrols are mounted or the ‘exfiltration’ enacted therefore bring smocks as well as helmet covers and zelts.
Combat kit - Full Pioneer combat assault kit is to be brought along with you but only worn when enacting as non CP troops and if moving off display. If you are unsure of your exact role within the Pioneer squad, contact Martin or myself asap.
Additionally, minimal belt order must be maintained and the correct headgear must be worn by the Assault squad whilst on duty (display) unless authorised by the squad leader or the CO.
CP staff to wear minimal belt order and the correct headgear at all times when on duty.
Weapons – As we are displaying as the Stürm Pioneers of Panzer Pioneer Battalion 675, we can be more heavily armed, as indeed they were in reality, therefore the use of Stg44’s, PPSH’s and additional MP40’s & MG42’s is authorised for this event.
Remember you are enacting a situation of being in or near a combat zone and as such should be armed (or near your weapons) at all times.
Evening wear
The normal group guidelines for evening wear will apply. If you are new to the group and are unsure as to what the guidelines are please check with the CO.
There is an organised dance on the Saturday night; if you want a ticket for this dance then you will need to contact the organisers asap. There is no beer tent but access to the bar is available in the hanger where the dance is taking place without having to pay the for a dance ticket! Be warned the queues are normally horrendously long although the organisers have advised that more bar staff will be available this year! We shall see!
Arrival
Please try to arrive during Friday if possible. We have much to do and unit tents need erecting and the display needs to be set up to our usual high standards. If you plan to arrive at any other time during the weekend you will need vehicle passes, therefore it is imperative that you contact John Griffin asap to organise your pass!
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
Use the postcode quoted at the top to help to plan your route to this event.
Nearest Hospital (A & E)
Hichingbrook Health Care NHS Trust, Huntington, Cambs, PE29 6NT, Tel 01480 416416
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy if you have not yet completed the Health & Safety log or are new to the group.
Weapons log – Deactivation certificate details required to complete our weapons Safety log, please ensure you bring the relevant details for this too again only if you haven’t already done this or are new to the group, please liaise with Lee to complete this.
Weapons Safety Course – For those of you new to the group or if you have not completed your course this season then please liaise with Lee over the course of the weekend to complete this.
Additional Information
‘O’ group meeting to be held to discuss the following items:
1) Possible ‘exfiltration’ scenario as described above.
2) Discussion on how best to keep our Grenadier and Pioneer impressions distinct yet factual.
3) Planning for the Victory Show.
4) Planning for the Rougham Show.
5) Pyro review.
6) Any other business.
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This news straight from the ‘trenches’ at the War & Peace show – The Windhund have yesterday acquired two new additional members and so keen were they to join the ranks that these ‘volunteers’ were helped by Martin, our Unit Quartermaster and the boys to make their initial uniform and kit purchases, so that they can fit in amongst our ranks as seamlessly as possible! Additionally, our recent member additions of Tom Webb Snr and Tom Webb Jnr were also guided into making the correct purchases of kit to ensure that their ‘hard earns’ were wisely spent. This goes to show that the Windhund takes care of its members from the start and that we are a group that continues to grow and grow as time goes on!
The display by all accounts is up to (and beyond) its usual standards of excellence, with the CP area complemented by the addition of the Borgward troop carrier, making its first appearance at a show, alongside the Kubel and the motorcycle combo.
There is no trench system this year but once again the Flak 38 has been dug in alongside an MG pit and two man slit trenches to provide the CP area with aerial and security cover. Additionally, also making its first appearance at a show is the Windhund’s newest ‘weapon’, the ‘Goulash Kanone’, our field kitchen, which is now helping to feed the group, so that they can sustain their health and remain ‘fighting fit’ in the days ahead!
Great strides have been made making ‘contacts’ with other groups (especially other Windhund groups from the continent) and in particular with certain vehicle owners to enable us to possibly have armour on our display at this show next year! Definitely a case of watch this space for future developments in that specific area! Well done, once again to the boys for the diplomatic strides being made in this area!
If you’re interested in becoming part of this ever evolving group of enthusiasts and would like to know how you can join us then drop me an e-mail at panzer.grenadier@blueyonder.co.uk and I can then get you started in this fantastic pastime of ours!
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler
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Muckleburgh Tank Collection 1940’s weekend – After Action Report
I’m happy to report that the Windhund had a wonderful time in Norfolk at the Muckleburgh Tank Collection’s 1940’s weekend. The main attraction for us was as previously mentioned in the Warning Orders for this event was that the Museum graciously ‘loaned’ us their 88mm Flak gun to be included as part of our display. This was the very gun used during episode 7 of the Band Of Brothers TV series where the 101st Airborne was assaulting the German held village of Foy, what a great episode and even greater now being able to have such an awesome piece of kit as part of one of our own displays!
As can be expected with a piece of military hardware that is as old as this one you could expect time to have taken its toll of it and indeed it had! The gun was very rusty in parts, unable to elevate or traverse, air leaking from tyres, the brakes gone and paint had been sprayed over many important working features. However, having spoken to the Museum’s owner, Sir Michael Savory, we were given permission to commence some basic restorative work on the gun over the course of the weekend.
Needing little more incentive than that and a set of borrowed kit from the museum and of course brute strength,, guile, mechanical know-how and large quantities of WD40 and grease the boys set to and most of them were kept busy all weekend whilst the remainder of the group took care of a fascinated public!
I can safely say that this was one of the most receptive of events for acceptance and understanding of what we do as re-enactors of a German unit. The public were responsive, inquisitive and enthralled by all of us and once again I must commend the commitment, knowledge and passion of all the group members that attended this event, well done to all of you!
The weather certainly added its own flavour too with sea-mist rolling in from time to time and particularly at night-time staying down as a clinging fog! This certainly added to the eerie atmosphere with the Flak ominously peering through the fog and showing off its menace of old, lying in wait there like a deadly predator! I certainly wouldn’t have liked to have been at the receiving end of its venom back in WW2, it’s no wonder that it was such a feared weapon by the soldiers of the Allied armies and such a prized weapon to have in your armoury if you were a member of the Axis forces!
But I digress! Let’s go back to the Flak and what we managed to achieve with our mini-restoration project over the course of the weekend. Well we were once again able to traverse it almost fully, we got it to once again elevate almost fully and freed up some pieces of equipment plus removed paint from the surface of other vital pieces of equipment such as greasing points, sighting and ranging equipment. We also uncovered a Spanish Naval crest and battery details and a date stamp of 1946, so either the gun was purchased off the Germans before the war ended or even built under licence by Franco’s regime in Spain? Unfortunately, no one knows the exact lineage of this particular gun due to the long passage of time so we’ll just have to speculate for the time being. However, further work on the gun was halted late on the Sunday afternoon when it was discovered that the bearings on the gun’s elevating system were in a very poor state so prudence suggested that we should return it to a horizontal state and place the barrel back on its locking mount and we reported our findings to the owner who was extremely pleased with the work we had managed to complete and discover over such a short period of time. At this point we was advised that the museum indeed will be conducting a full restoration project on the gun over the winter period and Sir Michael accepted our offer of local volunteers to assist in his restoration project of this wonderful piece of history!
So it looks like some of the boys will be very busy over the winter months bringing the 88 back to some of its former glory and I can’t wait to return to next year’s event, once again as the Flak gunners of Heeres Flak Artillerie Abteilung 281 of the 116th Panzer Division, when we hopefully will have not only our own Flak 38 alongside it’s restored ‘bigger brother’ but a larger group attendance at a show that deservedly will get better and better year on year!
Once again we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Sir Michael, Simon and all the staff at the museum for not only ‘loaning’ us the Flak gun for the weekend but for making us extremely welcome! We’ll be back next year, you can count on that!
Check out the pictures in the gallery which will be uploaded soon and you will clearly see how much fun we had!
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue – The Muckleburgh Collection, Weybourne, Norfolk, NR25 7EG, Military Display weekend, 27- 28 June 2009
What the real 116 was doing in late June 1944?
During this period the Windhund was positioned behind the coast near Abbeville which is located on the Somme River, 20 kilometres from its mouth in the English Channel, and 45 kilometres northwest of Amiens. Allied fighter-bombers and bombers are searching for V-1 launch sites located in the same area and additionally High Command is still convinced that a second landing will occur soon. The division therefore remains at a high state of alert and is engaged in forward coastal defence. All units are practically in position to oppose a possible airborne landing and are preparing anti-tank defences in what is termed as ‘good tank country’.
What will we be doing?
As normal we will be setting up our usual CP area but without its attached Assault squad again. For this scenario we will be portraying the troops of Heeres-Flak-Artillerie Abteilung 281 with the CP area busy planning for the second landing and coping with the Allied aerial threat. As you know the museum is graciously loaning us the 88m Flak 18 cannon which we will be incorporating into our display.
Therefore to that end we will be displaying as one of the forward CP areas of the Flak battalion with attached dispatch drivers & appropriate staff & officials and a Flak crew. Numbers are small for this one & I propose to add an Artillery Officer to the mix to enhance the feeling of a CP area.
The theme will be similar to what we did so successfully at Tutbury but with the added addition of the 88mm Flak 18!
Responsibilities
First and foremost we are there to set up our main display area (as described above) to our usual Living History standards, we will then man these positions and engage the public. This will be our first year at this event and there is scope to do much more if this event goes annual in the future and we can get greater numbers to it also. Basically, what more needs saying apart from let’s do what we do best!
Dress Code
Feldgrau wool uniforms please or if the weather is warm HBT uniforms can be worn.
Artillery shoulder boards are to be worn for this event.
Combat kit – As artillerymen we will not require full combat kit, minimal belt order will be required though.
Weapons – No PPSH or StG44’s for this one. Flak crewman must wear their sidearm and if armed further then with K98’s only. If you are portraying another role within the display then please discuss this further with the CO.
Entertainment & Evening wear
Unknown – probably the same as Tutbury Castle and we will have to see to ourselves.
Arrival
Arrival times – Anytime on Friday. If you plan to arrive Saturday please ensure that you have your Windhund membership cards and your site pass.
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
Use the postcode quoted at the top to help to plan your route to this event.
Nearest Hospital (A & E facilities)
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Colney, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UY, Tel No 01603 286 286
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy if you have not yet completed the Health & Safety log.
Weapons log – Lee is totally re-vamping the Weapons log for 2009, therefore please ensure you bring the relevant details for him to complete the new log if you haven’t already done so.
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The Windhund is naturally proud about its last vehicle addition as profiled on the Motorcycles page of the website, so I asked Roly, the owner of the solo motorcycle, for a brief history of his restoration project, here is his story:
"Originally a 1971 Ural, bought as a wreck with just a tank frame and wheels, fitted new correct WW2 pattern tank, new correct pattern WW2 mudguards front and rear, new correct WW2 pattern tool boxes and handlebars, correct WW2 pattern luggage rack, new correct wartime pattern carbs, painted with correct RAL 7028 paint (very difficult to source, finally got it from Poland), with the BMW badges on the tank overpainted (as they should be), correct cable operated dip/main beam on handlebars, with advance/retard lever in place too. Original BMW headlamp ring with shade, it also has the correct pattern fishtail silencers (mounted the correct way up). It's had the sensible 12v conversion and rewired throughout, a total overhaul, left hand side cylinder replaced and still retains all of the mounting points for a chair to be fitted. The only non standard items visible are the ampmeter by the handlebars, which is a sensible mod for all Ural owners as the charging system is notoriously fickle and can overcharge, with as little as 10 minutes overcharge when running doing enough damage to need a complete regulator and wiring rebuild! It has twin fuel can racks, which are visible in many period photos with bikes having a mixture of cans, or cans and boxes fitted (ammunition, grenade and mortar round).
For the purist, they will spot that the cylinder heads are the incorrect shape with the rocker covers not being the true kidney shape of a BMW, also the frame is a swing arm model, whereas the correct BMW uses a plunger frame. It will have a correct sprung saddle as soon as cash becomes available.
All in all it has taken over a year to get this far, but I think it's starting to seriously get there. Next item is a proper battery box, with that fitted it is MOT'able".
Here are a few more photos of the bike to show it latest stage of restoration:
 
.. and one more for good luck!
Fantastic work there Roly! We're looking forward to seeing it at a show soon!
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
P.S. The Windhund has a newer vehicle to display and it will make it's first public outing at Beltring next month, but more about that in due course!
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Operation Tutbury Castle 24 -25 May 2009 – “After Action Report”.
What an absolutely fantastic show! A good venue & well worth the trip to it (albeit for only one day for me) but worth it all the same and feedback from those that stayed all weekend was nothing but glowing!
We had loads of interest from the public and there is so much potential for doing so much more. I would highly recommend it for a repeat visit next year.
Events photographs can be found here:
Organisers loved us so much they desperately want us at another event at Trentham Gardens in early June, but it's probably too short notice to take up the offer this year!
Well done to all who managed to attend this one and making us once again one of the best groups for public interaction! The feedback from many of the people I talked to on Sunday was nothing but positive and praise for your knowledge and commitment to working with & educating the public, well done team!
Thanks again to the Event organisers for letting us attend their show, we fully intend to support this venue again in the future!
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
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The Bunker Bash 16 -17 May 2009 – “After Action Report”.
Three hardy souls from the group spent the weekend of 16 - 17 May attending the Bunker Bash in Essex. Despite the low turnout from the group, falling as it did so soon after the recent Fortress Wales event and also the inclement weather conditions all over the weekend, despite all this the boys made the best of things and combined their enthusiasm, knowledge and their available kit to once again engage the public as only the Windhund can and do!
Time was taken when the weather was at it's worst and the visitor numbers extremely low to perform a recce of the site and to get a view of the types of displays turned out by other groups. From this intel acquired by the guys they were happy to report back that even though this was a first time event for our group at an event that is now three years old, there is plenty of scope to do a lot more in future should the group be able to attend in numbers.
Obviously we would like to extend our thanks to the organisers for fitting us in at their show and hopefully in future we should be back in greater numbers.
Der Spiess
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Some slight chances to the website has been effected today to remove some redundant features and some new pictures have been added to reflect the expansion of the group this year.
Keep an eye out for the ‘After Action’ Reports for the Bunker Bash and Tutbury Castle events that have taken place of the preceding two weekends.
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue - Operation Tutbury Castle 2009 – 24th & 25th May 2009 – Tutbury Castle, Castle Street, Tutbury, Staffordshire, DE13 9JF.
What the real 116 was doing in May – early June 1944?
May/early June 1944 – Recently posted from the Eastern Front to form the new division. Transferred troops have been moving to positions behind the Pas de Calais area since April for retraining and integration with 179th Panzer Division (Reserve) and with the new replacements for the losses incurred by the ‘old’ division in the East.
The division whilst still understrength goes onto ‘invasion alert’ once positioned on the North bank of the River Seine. A high state of vigilance is being observed, they are under constant threat from ‘Jabos’, the Allied Bombing offensive on Northern France pre-invasion is underway (see below), the troops are warned to remain vigilant in case of possible attacks by the Marquis and are making preparations against possible attack from Paratroopers or Glider-borne troops. Moving by day in vehicles is extremely difficult, nerves are frayed but the veterans of the ‘old’ division go about their work with renewed vigour. They know the battles ahead will be difficult so training and tasks are undertaken with all due attention to ensure that everyone is prepared for what lies ahead. Confidence remains high that a decisive victory can be achieved against the Western Allies so that all attention can be turned back to their unfinished business in the East.
What will we be doing?
As normal we will be setting up our usual CP area but without its attached Assault squad this time. For this scenario we can portray the newly arrived troops with the squads out training and the CP area busy planning the relocation of the Company & retraining of it's new recruits with the veterans from the old division.
Therefore to that end we will be displaying as a forward CP area only with attached dispatch drivers & appropriate staff & officials. Numbers are small for this one & I propose to add an Officer to the mix to enhance the feeling of a CP area.
Responsibilities
First and foremost we are there to set up our main display area (as described above) to our usual Living History standards, we will then man these positions and engage the public.
This will be our first year at this event so let’s set a very good impression and impress the organisers and amaze the public!
Dress Code
Primary Uniform requirements - Field grey wool uniforms are required in standard format when manning the display, wear your Panzer Grenadier shoulder boards please for this event. No camo to be worn around the CP area unless in a reporting capacity. Check with the CO if in doubt as to whether camo can be worn!
If the weather is warm or if you do not yet possess a wool uniform then ‘Drillich’ (HBT) uniforms can be worn.
Combat kit - Full combat kit is to be brought but only worn when enacting as non CP troops. CP staff to wear minimal belt order.
Weapons – No late war weapons will be allowed, e.g. Stg44’s.
Evening wear
The normal group guidelines for evening wear will apply. If you are new to the group and are unsure as to what the guidelines are please check with the CO.
Arrival
The Organisers advise that we can start to arrive after 9am from Saturday onwards.
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
Use the postcode quoted at the top to help to plan your route to this event.
Nearest Hospital (A & E)
Queens Hospital, Belvedere Rd, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, DE13 0RB
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy if you have not yet completed the Health & Safety log.
Weapons log – Deactivation certificate details required to complete our weapons Safety log, please ensure you bring the relevant details for this too again only if you haven’t already done this.
Additional Information
N/A
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Fortress Wales – “After Action Report”.
Sorry to all for the delay in providing feedback to you all about this fantastic event! So here we go!
Despite a long journey for most members of the group I am pleased to report that everyone within the group who attended this event fully enjoyed their weekend in South Wales. An outstanding location, easy access from the M4 and supported massively by the public who were thirsty for more knowledge and entertainment from this brilliant Multi-period event!
Our chosen display for the weekend made the most of the kit available and our props & weapons mixed with the location to provide a composite view of a late war German CP with an attached protection squad including A/A defence. Whilst not the best we’ve provided due to limitations of not being able to dig-in we were pleased with the overall look presented and there is no doubt that the public appreciated our efforts because the display drew more than its fair share of attention over the course of the whole weekend, but more about that later!
It was also good to see that the new uniform standards agreed last year now coming into play and to see that now more than ever ‘Der Windhund’ looking more like the late war German soldier than ever before, well done to all for taking this on board and making the extra effect to project the correct and relevant image to not only the public but also to our peers! We are beginning to stand out and get noticed, well done to all members in raising our standards once again and if you want to see what I’m referring to then check out the Photo Gallery later to see what I mean – Quality!
Anyway back to the event, all our members were kept fully occupied with the public particularly on Sunday afternoon when due to the good weather the locals flocked to the show and they preceded to keep us all extremely busy with explanations of our kit & weapons and regaling them with wartime anecdotes that was not only expertly related by each one of us but also warmly received by the public. Many members of the public stayed with us for quite some time even though there was so much to see at this Multi-period event but with the Flak gun, the BMW motorcycle, the ‘Comms’ tent and even our weapons all proving very popular we proved to be irresistible to an inquisitive public! It meant that we couldn’t do many patrols away from the display but working with the public is what we excel at so we made sure that they received as much attention as requested and answered all their many, many questions.
Monday was a slightly different affair with rain and cold winds blowing in of the bay which kept the numbers of the public down on the previous day but apparently still upwards of 4000 visitors, if that was the case then I would hazard to guess that they had double that figure on the Sunday! Despite this we were kept very busy all day, with the same popular items drawing attention but now we even received many questions about our attire as due to the slightly inclement weather we for the most part had donned our greatcoats and this action drew many queries from a public thirsty for knowledge and seeking answers to their many questions. At the end of the event many of us felt a little hoarse from talking so much all weekend but we were all ultimately happy that we had managed to shed some light on what it must have been like on the other side of the fence during the latter part of WW2 and to provide an inquisitive public an insight to an often misunderstood and little known aspects of recent history.
Additionally over the weekend, the Windhund welcomed three new members to their ranks at this event – Steven T, Paul and Rudi who mucked in with the rest of us and worked with the public all weekend like they’d always been with us! Well done guys – they are all welcome additions to our swelling ranks and there is no doubt that each and everyone one of them will become an asset to the group as a whole!
All the hard work throughout the weekend from everyone obviously got us noticed and for the first time in the present group’s history we picked up an award, that of 2nd Best Display in Show! Outstanding! But next time it’ll be first! Well done to everyone within the group who attended the event this weekend and made this happen, you are without doubt committed to making this group stand out amongst the masses of other groups out there and are enthusiastic about the subject matter and more than happy to share that passion with the public at large! You all have my everlasting gratitude and respect for making this all happen! Thank you all!
Finally, a big thank you is extended from the group to the event organisers, particularly Wendy, who went out of their way to make us feel welcome and to accommodate our requirements for the weekend! Thanks again, and there is one thing that we can promise and that is that as we enjoyed Fortress Wales 2009 so much we will definitely be back for more next year!
Windhund Vor!
Der Künstler
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue
Fortress Wales 2009 - A Multi-Period Re-Enactment Living History and Military Vehicle Show on the 3rd and 4th May 2009 at the Margam Country Park, South Wales, SA13 2TJ (Junction 38 on the M4).
What the real 116 was doing in late March 1945?
North Western Germany - late March 1945 – The Allies Operation Varsity is in full swing and the Rhine defences have been breached in many places. Windhund troops of Panzer Grenadier Regiment 60 disbursed due to inadequate fuel supplies are being fed piecemeal into the lines near Xanten to shore up the crumbling defences. New recruits have been integrated in with surviving veterans of the regiment, only time will tell if their training has been enough for the bloody battles ahead as contact with superior British or American forces is imminent!
What will we be doing?
As a break in the normal format of matching the month/date of the event to the same month/date in the 1944 – 45 period I propose to break from the norm and suggest that for this event we will use a late war scenario instead of the earlier planned May 1944 training/forming up scenario.
With British ‘opposition’ in the pitch next to us we could have our Grenadier squad facing towards the SWB’s with the CP area at the opposite end to them!
Early warning of this is important for those who plan to arrive early and setup the camping area/CP area and setup our ‘forward positions’ to take this suggested layout into account.
John has the layout plan for where we are and I suggest we all liaise with him ASAP on arrival to see what we can do to get the display sorted in the format suggested above.
As normal we will be setting up our usual CP area with its attached Assault squad arrayed in defensive positions around it & using the natural surroundings to provide a realistic simulation of defensive positions in response to the scenario outlined above. From time to time small recce patrols can be sent out to gauge the strength & location of the enemy (and to attract the public to our area). If you have a Zeltbahn tent, please bring it even if you don’t sleep in it so that they can be used to fill out the display area and gives us an area for the grenadiers of the Assault squad to be located slightly away from the CP display. If the Flak is with us then it is to be used in a Flak role near the CP, the solo motorcycle belonging to Roly should also be making an appearance and will be located near the CP.
Responsibilities
First and foremost we are there to set up our main display area (as described above) to our usual Living History standards, we will then man these positions and engage the public. We have an excellent turnout of members for this event so therefore the CP area and the ‘forward positions’ of the assault squad should both be well manned!
This will be our first year at this event so let’s set a very good impression and impress the organisers and amaze the public!
Dress Code
Primary Uniform requirements - Field grey wool uniforms are required in standard format when manning the display, wear your Panzer Grenadier shoulder boards please for this event. No camouflage splinter trousers are to be worn. Primary camouflage is to be your zeltbahn, however, for this event and in line with the planned late-war scenario, marsh pattern camo smocks or parkas can be worn but only when on patrol or when manning the defensive positions. No camo to be worn around the CP area unless in a reporting capacity. Check with the CO if in doubt as to whether camo can be worn!
If the weather is warm or if you do not yet possess a wool uniform then ‘Drillich’ (HBT) uniforms can be worn.
Combat kit - Full combat kit is to be brought but only worn when enacting as troops in the defensive positions or on recce patrols. CP staff to wear minimal belt order.
Weapons – Late war weapons will be allowed, e.g. Stg44’s.
Evening wear
The normal group guidelines for evening wear will apply. If you are new to the group and are unsure as to what the guidelines are please check with the CO.
Arrival
Please try to arrive during Saturday if possible. We have much to do and unit tents need erecting and the display needs to be set up to our usual high standards. The Organisers advise that we can start to arrive after 9am.
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
Use the postcode quoted at the top to help to plan your route to this event.
Nearest Hospital (A & E)
Neath Port Talbot Hospital, Baglan Way, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, SA12 7BX,
Tel No 01639 862000
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy if you have not yet completed the Health & Safety log.
Weapons log – Deactivation certificate details required to complete our weapons Safety log, please ensure you bring the relevant details for this too again only if you haven’t already done this.
Additional Information
Weapons Safety Course – if you have not done this yet this year then you will be required to complete this internal course at your earliest opportunity. Please note that this course is compulsory for all members.
Training School – To be organised if time and numbers allow. Check with the CO and the Training Officer for more information over the course of the weekend.
Organised battles – there is an organised battle taking place on both days of the event but unfortunately we are not involved.
‘O’ Group meeting – will be held at the start of each event day from this event onwards. Your attendance at this meeting is compulsory and it will be used to communicate any news or issues, to review the day’s plans and to assign roles or work rotas to individuals if necessary. Uniform standards for morning parade will be applied to these meetings from now on. Correct respect for rank will also be applied.
Unit Admin – there is a necessary amount of admin that still requires completion particularly pertaining to group and AFRA membership, your co-operation is required if you asked to assist us in the completion of these necessary tasks.
Group Membership Committee meeting – there will be a meeting of this committee held at some point during this event to deal with some small membership issues & compulsory attendance is required from the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Membership Secretary.
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AFRA Battlefield Effects Pyrotechnic Course - April 2009
Over the course of the weekend just gone, Windhund members, Andy, Steve and myself attended the AFRA Battlefield Effects Pyrotechnics course along with members from a couple of other groups.
During the course of the first day we covered a lot of essential paperwork and were made fully aware of the prevailing legislation regarding pyrotechnics and were also shown how to plan and assess the risk of any battlefield simulation/display. All very intensive and ultimately necessary!
At the end of the first day we were given a demonstration of the various types of available pyrotechnics that we could be eventually using in our displays in the future, an awesome demonstration of the potential that we could soon wield as a group!
Saturday evening was used to relax and chill out and plan for our practical sessions the next day, the hours slipped by in good company although a little apprehensive about what the following day might bring because as yet apart from handling the inert devices putting together all the respective bits and pieces into a coherent demonstration remained a little daunting!
Early on a bright and sunny Sunday, the members of the new 'Windhund pyro team', convened to put together the finishing touches to their planned demonstration which was to simulate a Pioneer assault on a fixed position and to include an initial covered assault culminating in the blowing of the wire defences, this was then to be followed by a diversionary grenade assault to allow a Pioneer to place a satchel charge on the fixed position followed by its eventual destruction! At this point the Pioneers would consolidate their new positions around the ‘destroyed' fixed position only to suffer an artillery counterattack followed by tank support. At this point the Panzerschreck would be called up to deal with the tank menace, destroy it and defeat the counterattack and thus end the small planned display!
Planning and risk assessment was then undertaken and we had to then put in all the hard work to wire out and prepare the devices and our display area for the eventual detonation of our required pyrotechnics.
The guys in the team quickly switched into work mode and prepared our display area for the eventual demonstration but unfortunately we had to drop the planned artillery strike due to time constraints. The time for the display quickly came around and although we had a few small hitches during the demonstration we displayed calmness and professionalism to clear the problems to complete our display with the firing of the ‘schreck at the imaginary tank.
As the firer of that weapon and seeing the fireball through the vision slit of the ‘schreck’s blast shield I can confirm that the culmination of our display was an absolute buzz!
We’ve learnt a lot at this course and all in the team have now been bitten by the Pyro bug and look forward to putting our new skills into effect as soon as we can!
Finally a big thank you is extended from this group and in particular our new Pyro Team to PD and Bryn and all at AFRA for putting on this course and giving up their time to provide the course and to teach us how to safely put on a battlefield pyrotechnic display, thanks guys you are the best!
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
P.S. Thanks to Richard Busby for the following photo!
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WARNING ORDERS
Venue - Private Event, (please refer to CO for more details), March 21 – 22, 2009.
What the real 116 was doing in March 1945?
At the end of March 1945, the 116th Panzer Division was situated in North West Germany on the border of Holland and on the East Bank of the River Rhine, the Division was resting & reorganising following heavy fighting in the ‘Reichswald’ as Monty’s Operation Veritable ground to a bloody halt. As the Allies were preparing their next phase of attack, Operation Varsity, the 116th Panzer Division had been ordered to train and plan for an expected attack from the Arnhem direction and in particular an aerial assault from the Allied forces, which would happen not in the days ahead but merely hours! To their backs was their homeland, the Rhineland-Westphalia region, and for most men their homes and families! Now things were getting very personal for many men in the ‘Windhund!’
What will we be doing?
Following the desertion & surrender of a complete company of 25 men in early March 1945, a dishonour that the 116th Panzer Division had not thus far experienced, the Divisional Commander, Generalmajor von Waldenburg, decided that during the lull in the fighting at the end of March 1945 to tighten up on the discipline of all members of the division, integrate the new recruits and take all the men, new & old through essential combat drills again because as all ‘Landser’s’ knew the old army adage that ‘sweat saves blood’ and as every remaining Landser in the division was important at that time, knowing what was expected of themselves and of each other would make sure that they performed at all times in a highly professional manner and by doing so giving them a chance of seeing out the end of the war in one piece!
Therefore, this section has been withdrawn to an isolated farm to do just what has been ordered by the Divisional Commander, to re-instigate discipline and to review combat skills and integrate the new recruits into the section.
In fact, why not get into the spirit of things and try and use our German names only over the course of the weekend?
Responsibilities
The idea of this weekend’s event is to improve (or renew) our present skills and knowledge and that should enable us to more accurately portray the German soldier of the late war period. The training will not be too onerous but has been designed to help you more accurately understand what the common grenadier or Landser would have known as second nature.
I hope you will take away something positive from this weekend’s event and most of all I want you to have some fun doing it and building up some ‘Kameradschaft’ which will take us through the season!
There is very little setup to do at this one as it is a private event just come along & take part! Sleeping accommodation has been provided in one of the barns, cooking is either communal or can be left up to the individual.
Dress Code
Field Greys & standard field kit for this one please - basically carry what the normal Landser would have carried in similar circumstances. No smocks, but zelts are OK. Bring greatcoats or parkas - it was bloody cold last year. If you have extra parkas/greatcoats/zelts please bring those so that our new recruits can borrow those if they haven't already got them and we can have a standardised look.
Preference is for Grenadiers, so please wear the correct shoulder straps, although we will take time to discuss in detail the Pioneer aspect of our impression during the evening.
Weapons – the usual mix please but for this event MP44’s are allowed.
Entertainment & Evening wear
To be organised ad hoc, dress informal, i.e. what you wore during the day!
Arrival
Arrival times – From 9am onwards on Saturday, most will arrive after midday, the event will commence as soon as all members have arrived and are ready and in character!
Insurance
Please make sure that you have logged your attendance of this event of the AFRA Events section to activate your insurance cover.
Directions
(please refer to CO for more details),
Nearest Hospital (A & E)
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust
64, St. Thomas Rd, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 2XT
Tel: 01775 760525
Additional Requirements
Health & safety log – Please ensure that you have your relevant medical details handy to update the log for any changes in your medication. New members please ensure that you have your medical details handy to complete this essential group requirement.
Weapons log – Deactivation certificate details are required to complete our weapons Safety log, please ensure you bring the relevant details for this if you have not already done so or you have acquired any new weapons in the off-season.
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A new first for 'Der Windhund' sees the addition of a Public Forum to the website!
You've got those burning WW2 related questions to ask or want to know more about the re-enactment world then this is the place for you!
Ask away, we look forward to communicating with you in the days ahead!
We are also on YouTube! Click on the link below for a visual slideshow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3qa76UTaUY
Enjoy!
Bis nächste Zeit!
Der Künstler.
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