Der Angriff!! Die Feldpost Der 63Te Infanterieregiment

Der Angriff!! Die Feldpost der 63te Infanterieregiment

Volumen 11, Nummer 2 Herbst 2007

Die Stabsbericht von Unteroffizier Fensch (Staff Report by Unteroffizier Fensch)

Due to the Sergeant’s work & family obligations, I have been asked to write this issue’s report. First, I hope each of you can make the trek to Newville this November. You may think that it’s only your loss when you can’t attend, but I assure you, we all miss the Kameradschaft when one of us is absent. Each unit on the field considers itself the best, so it’s pointless to repeat that line, but I can honestly say that when I’m in the presence of other units, it often occurs to me that there is no other group of individuals on the GWA field that I would rather fall in with than the 63te.

As to the goals of this event, I hope each of you will focus on our unit commitment to, as accurately as possible, portray a late war combat rifle Zug. To me, this means once the event goes live, from Friday evening until Sunday morning, that each of us conduct ourselves as a member of that military organization, both in actions and attitude. This of course, includes following orders and acting as if we are all part of a military unit, not going off as individuals when it suits us, or only following orders when they’re convenient or we agree with them. Secondly, it means we hope you will make an effort during combat situations to use the German vocabulary, which was presented last spring.

It also entails trying to act as a German soldier would have acted, circa 1917. First and foremost, I would suggest that in general , the German army displayed an aggressive spirit that allowed it to hold off the major European powers on three fronts for four long years. We need to display that same spirit in our reenacting. Even though we are only simulating combat, if you look around the CP lines, you will see units that are aggressive and others that are somewhat more laid back in their approach. I hope we will emulate the former. This means pressing our assaults, being tenacious in defense, alert when on watch.

Secondly, we should try to create the impression of German soldiers, both for ourselves and others in our proximity. This is not to suggest that we all need to do “first person” all weekend. Some enjoy that aspect of reenacting, but certainly not all do. What I am referring to, rather, is trying to act as a Wilhelmine era German would have acted, not

acting as if we are 21 st century Americans in funny old uniforms. There are many aspects to grasping that as a part of your impression. It requires some reading and study of the culture & soldiers of the era, and not just dwelling on uniforms & equipment details.

Regarding the specifics of this event, I’m sure all those attending are aware that, by popular request, we will be doing a 24 hour turn in the trenches, from Friday evening until Saturday evening. If you want to participate, but don’t feel you will be able to handle the entire night in the trenches; we will have some rotation in & out of the trenches.

We will enter the line across from our bunker and walk through the trenches to our own position. It was originally discussed that we might occupy another position so as to be near the French who like to spend their entire weekend in the trenches, but considering the scenario of patrols, work parties etc, as well as the addition of participation by other Allied units, I thought it best to man our own section.

Regarding the scenario itself, we plan to do wiring parties, man forward positions to guard our trenches, do fatigue duties within our own trenches and make patrols in NML. The powers that be have said we should not engage in combat due to the lack of EMTs and the ambulance. Much as we all like to play, it makes sense in a nighttime scenario, since, from what I’ve read, night patrols actively avoided combat whenever possible. If night patrols and/or guards make contact with enemy troops, the response should be to take prisoners without a fight if convenient; otherwise, avoid contact and throw a bomb or two (well away from the enemy patrol) as a disruptive maneuver and to facilitate the withdrawal.

Other details: I’ve asked Decker to bring his coal stove to use in the MG bunker to take the chill off the night. At all times, there will be a Gruppenführer in the trenches; under no circumstances will anyone go Cowboying off on their own. All activities will be authorized and/or assigned by the Gruppenführer as would have been done. Groups leaving the line for forward guard or patrols will adhere strictly to orders and not make “command decisions” on their own.

Finally, all members need to consider making themselves available to do work on the bunker and trenches. At the last work party in September, the same people showed up that always show up. Filling sandbags and other such minor work is a good addition to the event activities, but that’s basically all those things are; authentic activities to make the event more realistic. They do not take the place of repair & maintenance on the unit property in the trenches and bunker. Our bunker and trenches have already lasted longer than the real ones did in the Great War. Although we don’t have to deal with damage from combat, we still have to do a good bit of work to keep our property up. In the last few years we’ve had to repair the bunker chimney, re-seal the walls and roof of the bunker from moisture and revet the trenches, as well as other maintenance &

repairs I’ve forgotten to mention. None of this work can be effectively done during an event.

Unlike other reenactment periods, we don’t just show up, grab some hay & firewood or throw our stuff in the barracks. In Great War, we have the privilege and opportunity to use bunkers and trenches that are the envy of other reenacting periods. With that privilege goes an obligation to provide some physical help to the unit. If you are unable to attend work parties for whatever reason, then I would urge you to arrive a day or so before the GWA events begin so as to do your part at that time. Also, work parties are not set in stone. If you have a free weekend, post it to the list. Usually if someone is available to travel to the site to do some work, others can also find time to attend. And, as harsh as it may sound, if you can’t provide any help to the unit to keep the bunker and trenches in good working order, maybe you should find a unit that doesn’t have facilities like ours, so that you aren’t obligated in that manner. Frankly, we don’t need sponges in JR63.

On that cheery note, I’ll wish you all a good trip to Neuville and look forward to seeing you all in November.

O. Ostrofski Ufz., 3.Kompanie/J.R.63

Original cartoon by Musk. Edgar Macionga

SMS Schlesien

SMS (Seine Majestät Schiff = His Majesty's Ship) Schlesien was a pre-dreadnought battleship, a Linienschiffe (Ship of the Line) of the Deutschland class. The SMS Schlesien was built by Schichau and launched at Danzig on the 28th of May 1906. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on the 5th of May 1908. Her sister ships were the SMS Deutschland, the SMS Hannover, the SMS Pommern and the SMS Schleswig-Holstein.

Displacement: 13,200 tons standard; 14,218 tons full load Crew: 729 Dimensions: 127.9 m x 22.2 m x 7.7 m Speed: 18.5 knots Range: 4770 miles at 10 Knots. Armament: Four 11-inch guns in pairs, Fourteen 6.7 inch guns, Twenty 3.4 inch guns, Six 18-inch torpedo tubes (1 bow, 4 beam, 1 stern) all submerged Aircraft: No

She participated in the Battle of Jutland under the 2nd Battle Squadron of the High Seas Fleet during in May 1916. But with the stagnation of the fleet in port, she was used a year later as an accommodation ship at Keil, and was de-activated on 10 November 1918. Being thoroughly obsolete, she was one of three old ships of the line, along with Schleswig-Holstein and Hessen, that Germany was permitted to retain after the end of World War I, under the terms of the Versailles Treaty. She became a Sea Cadet Schools ship and was used for training. In 1926/27 she was refitted extensively at Wilhelmshaven, which included the re- installation of her central artillery, fitting of a modern engagement mast, replacement of 8 boilers and re-trunking of her funnels into 2 units. On 01 March 1927, she was re-activated as the KMS (Kriegsmarine Shiff) Schlesien.

After various foreign training journeys, she was converted between Feb-Apr 1934, again into a Cadet School Ship. During the opening stages of September 1939, Schlesien took part with the Schleswig-Holstein in the bombardment of Polish artillery positions along the Hela Peninsula. She also participated in Operation "Weser Exercise" (Norwegian Operation) in April 1940 before being laid up. Between 1941-44 she was used as an accommodation ship and also as an Icebreaker in the Baltic. In Aug 1944 she was converted as a Convoy Escort Vessel. In March 1945 she used her guns to fire upon advancing Red Army troops in the area of Danzig. Schlesien was later mined, crippling her in the shallow water of Swinemunde (Pomerania) on 3rd May 1945 and was scuttled on the 4th May 1945. She was also torpedoed and used as target practice by the Russians after the war, and finally broken up between 1949-56, although remnants of her were still visible in East Germany until the 1980s.

Deutschland Klässe Schiffe

Name Commission date Fate

Deutschland 19th November 1904 Broken up 1920-22 Hannover 29th September 1905 Broken up 1944-46 Pommern 2nd December 1905 Torpedoed 1st June 1916 Schlesien 28th May 1906 Scuttled 5th May 1945 Schleswig-Holstein 7th December 1906 Bombed 18th December 1944, Raised, but broken up after 1947

Zeltbahn and Related Equipment Zeltbahn and Accessories

Tent shelters were introduced in Germany in 1892. The reason for its introduction was explained by the War Ministry as follows: "By reason of the increase of the masses which will compose the field armies in the future, the cantonment will be the exception while the bivouac will become the rule for troops in the theater of operations. The necessity then imposes itself of guaranteeing the health and vigor of the men sheltering them against cold and rain. "

All NCOs and enlisted men were equipped with a Zeltbahn and its accessories (Zeltgräte ); while the mounted troops (cavalry, field artillery and train) were not so equipped. The portable Zelt Equipment ( Zeltgräte ) ‘92 consisted of the shelter half (Zeltbahn ) with shelter half guyline ( Zeltleine ), the 3-piece tent pole ( Zeltpflöcke ) and three tent pins ( Zeltstöcke ).

Reproduction Zeltbahnen forming the basic 2-man tent shelter

Pre-war photo of Zelts being set-up in the field.

ZELTBAHN (SHELTER HALF)

The square shelter half was made of brown waterproof cotton canvas material and measured 165 cm x 165 cm. Since the material was mass produced in a width of 94-95 cm, the finished Zeltbahn consisted of two pieces joined at the center by a felled double seam and the edges were doubled over to a width of 7 cm for durability. In order to connect two shelter halves, 8 aluminum buttons and buttonholes were placed on each side. In each corner was a large aluminum eyelet (inside diameter 1.5 cm and outside diameter 3.3 cm) and 3 small aluminum eyelets (inside diameter 0.6 cm and outside diameter 1.8 cm), in the middle of each side were placed two small eyelets. The small eyelets served for reception of six tent rope pieces ( Zeltleinen ) of 28 cm in length with knotted ends which created 6 loops through which one pulled the tent rope pieces. On the inside of the shelter half, in the middle, were sewn 5 loops, and near the hem were sewn 6 loops in incremental distances from the center seam of 2, 3 and 6 cm. These loops served for the reception of the shelter half line and neck

cord. The 2 meter long shelter half guy-line was to be made of black colored hemp and came out on both ends in a knot. The 90 cm long neck cord was also made from blackened hemp and was firmly sewn at the center seam, 18 cm from the edge, and was pulled through the loops provided for it; its ends were wrapped with black twine to a 2 cm length. For protection from the rain, the shelter half could be draped over the shoulders and tied around the neck with the neck cord; in this manner the shelter half guy-line was also pulled through the 5 loops in the middle and was tied around the hips.

Soon after the beginning of the war, wearing the shelter half buckled onto the outside of the Tornister proved too conspicuous due to its red brown color, which made the wearer a good target for enemy snipers. Therefore, a Prussian decree of August 27, 1914 permitted soldiers to buckle the greatcoat over the shelter half, when necessary, in order to conceal it. To simply do away with the disadvantageous brown color altogether, the Prussian War Department issued a decree on October 15, 1914 for the shelter half to be made of grey waterproof canvas material.

In addition, the buttons and eyelets were Original Zeltleinen – not e how the ends are wrapped and tied in linen to keep the ends also specified to be prepared from brass from fraying. instead of aluminum. This change was accepted by Bavaria on November 6, 1914, Saxony on October 27, 1914, and Württemberg on October 31, 1914. Shortly after, on March 2, 1915, another decree was issued for a new shelter tent material of a lighter construction, reducing the weight from 1160g to 900g. For saving bright metal ( Buntmetalle ), a Prussian decree of January 1, 1915 and a Bavarian decree of January 16, 1915 permitted the use of buttons and eyelets made from galvanized iron or steel.

There were still a large stock of brown shelter halves that continued to be issued in spite of the new gray shelter halves; this was also forced due to the shortage of cotton in the manufacture of materials. Thus, the Prussian Army Administration had to issue orders on May 29, 1916 to deny the exchange of brown shelter halves for gray on economic grounds. There was a decree on August 8, 1916, that extended the earlier ruling of buckling the ochre shelter half under the greatcoat to allow this practice as a general practice not only for front line troops, but for all troops. In order to comply with the wishes of the troops to have gray shelter halves, the Saxon

War Department allowed the present brown shelter halves to be redyed. On the other hand, the Prussian War Department regarded the dyeing experiments of ochre material as unsatisfactory and rejected a redyeing of the in stock shelter halves on April 20, 1917.

As a result of the cotton shortage, it was permitted by Prussian decree of December 20, 1917 that the materials for shelter halves were to be made from mixed threads (70% cotton and 30% rayon waste). To save as much material as possible, on July 25, 1918, the Prussian War Department prescribed for a reduction in the width of the shelter half material from 94-95 cm to 91 cm but without changing the proportions of the shelter half; the Bavarian War Dept. accepted this on August 10, 1918. Finally, according to Prussian decree of October 2, 1918, and respectively a Bavarian decree of October 10, 1918, shelter halves were to be sewn together with multiple pieces of material.

Also as a result of the shortages, the Leinenstrippen , shelter half guy-line and neck cords were made from tarred woven paper of 4 mm strength and the ends secured with tin-plated sheet-metal clips; these changes were ordered the Bavarian War Department on May 26, 1917 and the Saxon War Department on May 24, 1917. On July 12, 1917, the Prussian War Department also issued similar orders for a similar pattern change for the shelter half guy-line, which was from then on to be made of woven paper. Bavaria followed on September 1, 1917.

ZELTPFLÖCKE (TENT POLES)

The Tent Pole ‘01 is composed of three 37 cm long cylindrical poles made of ash, where the end of one would fit into the end of the other. In order to do this, the tip of the next pole was cut to a smaller diameter and the other end was hollowed out to a depth of 7 cm and reinforced on the outside by a 7 cm long sleeve made of blackened iron. The 2.1 cm diameter by 1.2 cm reduced tip was also reinforced with a 30 cm long iron sleeve. The weight of the 3-piece tent pole came to 285g.

Tent poles with an ochre accessories bag

In order to save on material, the Prussian War Department issued the trial of a tent pole with a simplified metal fitting on June 28, 1918, after which manufacture was supposed to follow. The Zeltstock 18 had the lower conical metal fitting eliminated while the lower end of the pole was also cut down by 3 cm length. On the upper end, a narrow 1.1 cm high metal ring was used in place of the long metal sleeve. With that, the weight of the 3-piece tent pole was reduced to only 230g. Bavaria accepted the simplified tent pole on July 13, 1918 and Saxony on July 16, 1918.

ZELTSTÖCKE (TENT PINS)

The tent pins ‘01 consisted of 26.5 cm (10.2”) long ash poles with a rectangular cross section of 1.9 cm x 1.4 cm (0.74" x 0.55"). They had on the lower end a 4.1 cm (1.6”) long, wedge-shaped metal fitting and on the upper end a similar long rectangular metal fitting made of blackened iron, from which a 1.6 cm (.63”) long iron rod - for holding the tent line - projected at a downward slant. A set of three tent pins weighed 210g.

Set of 3 original wood Zeltstöcke ‘01

Since the wooden tent pins often broke with driving them into hard ground, the Prussian Army Administration ordered testing with tent pins made of steel. As a result, the Prussian War Department introduced on March 2, 1915 the steel 'Zeltpflock 15' – they had a length of 10" (25.5cm) and were made of cold-drawn, galvanized steel half-pipe with a 2.3 cm long head piece with eyelet. For more ease of pulling the pins out of the ground, they were furnished with a hemp loop. Tent pins made of wood, when possible, were no longer to be provided and the new pins were first issued to the troops on the Eastern Front. The new steel tent pins were introduced in Bavaria on March 20, 1915, to Saxony on March 16, 1915 and to Württemberg on March 11, 1915.

These “half-pipe” steel pins proved unsatisfactory in wide use and a Prussian direction of April 16, 1915 revised the pin design. The new steel pins had a length of 26 cm with a width of 1.5 cm and a D-shaped cross-section with a welded steel wire eyelet. Through this eyelet was an 11 cm long rope loop with knotted ends. The weight of the three tent pins with rope loops came to 380g. These pins were accepted by Bavaria on April 27, 1915, in Saxony on April 30, 1915 and in Württemberg on April 26, 1915.

Original set of second run steel tent pins

Because the production of these tent pins proved to be rather expensive, the Prussian War Department issued a new order for a more economical tent pin. The new pins were to be made of galvanized steel and also 26 cm long, but with two hollow grooves and a 2.7 cm long head with eyelet through which a 37-40 cm long rope loop with knotted ends was to be pulled. The weight of three tent pins remained unchanged at 380g. These tent pins were introduced by Bavaria on October 25, 1915, accepted by Saxony on November 16, 1915 and by Württemberg on October 22, 1915.

Original set of the final pattern economy steel tent pins

However, there remained a great deal of wooden tent pins in stock that first had to be used up (nearly 1.6 million). Therefore, on September 15, 1916 the Prussian War Department ordered the supply of the expensive steel pins to halt. The Bavarian War Department followed this measure on September 26, 1916.

ZELTZUBEHÖRBEUTEL (TENT ACCESSORIES BAG)

The three tent poles (Zeltstock), the three tent pegs (Zeltpflöcke) and tent ropes (Zeltleine) were carried in a 38 cm (14.8”) long ocher (or later gray) canvas bag (Zeltzubehörbeutel) and placed under the cover flap of the backpack. The bag was attached to the Tornister with two leather straps and closed at one side with two zinc buttons. The two leather straps were either closed with two buckles (standard issue) or with two buttons (variation). Examples have been observed as well where the two leather straps were replaced with two cloth straps closed with buckles.

The bag at the top is an original grey canvas bag with leather straps with roller buckles while the lower bag is a variation that buttons.

This original bag is the Ersatz variation with the attachment straps made from canvas.

An ingenious system was developed to allow the backpack, shoes and uniform to be carried across a river without it getting wet, using the tent half. The backpack, tunic, trousers and other equipment were placed on the tent half, which was completely filled with straw, reed or small branches, then strapped together to form a sort of buoyant cushion. The rifle was strapped on top of this cushion and the soldier could swim across the river, pulling this cushion after him. Several cushions could be strapped together to create a small raft. Soldiers who couldn't swim could hold onto the raft or sit on it when crossing the river.

A larger portable raft could be made with 12 tent halves. making six cushions. The cushions were instead filled entirely with a buoyant material like straw. When the tent half was strapped together a second tent half was strapped around it to seal the open side. Two rows of three cushions connected to each other with boards, lances or poles formed the raft.

References

Feld-Pionierdienst aller Waffen . Mittler & Sohn, Berlin, 1911. Somers, Johan, Imperial German Field Uniforms and Equipment 1907-1918. Schiffer Military History, Atglen, PA, 2005. Fisch, Robert, Field Equipment of the Infantry . Greenberg Publishing Company, Inc., Sykesville, MD, 1989. Le Fantassin De la Grande Guerre 1914/1918

Book Review Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day, 1918, World War I and Its Violent Climax --- Joseph E. Persico Review by Musk. Edgar Macionga (Edwin F. Quiroz) of JR63

I would have to class Joseph E. Persico’s 2004 11 th Month, 11 th Day, and 11 th Hour right up there with such classics as Alistair Horne’s 1962 The Price of Glory or Barbara W. Tuchman’s 1962 The Guns of August. Persico’s writing style is clean and understandable. He does a credible job of not leaving too many untranslated foreign phrases in his text. Tuchman does a better job than Horne of giving translations of all those pesky foreign phrases that usually litter history books, but Persico does this even better. I can’t recommend this book highly enough for members of IR63 who want an engaging, readable history of what the common soldier was going through at the climax of the “Great War”. 11 th Month, 11 th Day, 11 th Hour is told in the style of flashbacks from the day, November Eleventh, of the participants from most every side. Persico compellingly weaves their stories into an ever-tightening noose, which he draws together ever so firmly to the final deadly moments. The book is a plethora of tidbits of World War One minutiae and illuminating explanations that the novice as well as veteran WWI reader will find new, or may seem new because of Persico’s clearly termed explanations and unique viewpoint. Many of these subjects have usually been omitted or not usually fully explained in previous histories. There is much information between these pages that will benefit the practice of living history both in and behind the trenches of Newville. Information such as the origin of the term “No-Man’s-Land” as a dump ground in the 1320’s. The view of trench raids as “nightly suicide” by the common soldier or as “ritualized violence” by his more educated superiors. The first documented raid by the 39 th Garwahl Rifles of the Indian Corp in 1914. The effect of septic poisoning in No- Man’s Land. The tidbit about the rationing of flares by the French to one flare a night should be illuminating to Newville “Trench Rats”. And that long before the “WWII Code-talkers” American Indian Doughboys were being used in the trenches to “talk in the plain” over field telephones. And that Doughboys learned to ransack German haversacks for a sweet, bread-based cube and yellow canned powder that made a tasty custard. There is also information that was suppressed in the past such as the particularly pervasive British habit of killing prisoners and the general practice of all side to kill prisoners during trench raids. Persico’s insights into how wartime attitudes toward the central powers was manipulated by British propaganda is thought provoking.

We meet well known and less well known characters. Notable characters such as Georges Clemenceau, who recalls seeing General U.S. Grant enter Richmond at the end of the American Civil War. Obscure individuals like Lothar Lanz of Pioneer Battalion 30, who survives the war and eventually escapes to America, and the “Choctaw Sgt. York“ Pvt. Oklahombi or “Man-Killer“. The Nobel Prize winner Fritz Haber’s legacy of gas warfare. And the “official last deaths” among which were Germany’s Leutnant. Thoma, Canadian Pvt. George Price and American Pvt. Henry Gunther. The statistics of the “Last Day” of the war are sobering. There were 10,944 casualties on all sides, of which 2,738 were dead. This is 10% higher than the wartime average and higher than those of WWII’s D-Day, but unlike D-Day these men died after the Armistice had been signed. A unifying theme throughout the book is Persico’s question “Why did the fighting continue after the Armistice had been signed?” 11 th Month, 11 th Day, 11 th Hour, an important addition to your WWI library is currently available in new hardback copies from Edward R. Hamilton, bookseller in Falls Village, CT for $6.50 plus $ 3.50postage.

Did you know?... The one-square-mile of Belleau Wood was an old hunting preserve and was half the size of Central Park in New York City.

Ursprüngliche Postkarten (Original Postcards)

Postlieferung (Mail Call)

Mail call will be held at this event. This is a first person activity where mail is delivered to members of JR63. Packages, period postcard reproductions, letters and photographs are all acceptable for this activity. Messages are written as if the sender is writing during WWI to a soldier in the unit. Packages should contain period items that would be sent to a soldier, such as clothing, food items, etc. Don’t send someone a new military item for their impression - Momma & Papa didn’t send their son a mess kit! Messages can be humorous, serious or whatever. The general practice is to address them to someone else in the unit. They are often read out loud, so consider that when you write! Wartime mail to soldiers was addressed only with the soldier’s name and rank, and the unit. However, there would be no location since the home folks often didn’t know where the soldiers were. For example:

Musketier Otto Bismarck 3 Kompagnie, 63 Infanterie Regiment

(Note that Company was spelled in the French manner in WWI.)

Variations such as abbreviations were also used, thus:

Mskt. O. Bismarck 3K/JR63

Sometimes, the writer might add the division and army corps designation:

Msk. Otto Bismarck 3.63JR 12te Infanterie Division 6te Armee Korps

Mail call has always been an entertaining first person activity. If you plan to join in, please deliver your mail to Gefreiter Hudak.

Did you know?... On the Western Front, the number of soldiers averaged 1 per 4 inches of front line.

Ereignisliste für 2007 (Events Schedule for 2007-2008)

2007

November 1 JR63 Work Day for Early Arrivals Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site Newville, PA

November 2-4 GWA Fall Tactical Weekend Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site Newville, PA

Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Reenactorfest 3 Eisenhower Hotel, Conference Center & Resort Gettysburg, PA

2008

March 22-23 World War I Living History & Encampment Marietta House Museum Glenn Dale, MD

March 29-30 Spring Work Party (Date tentative - for Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site discussion only) Newville, PA

April 12-13 Marching Through Time Marietta House Museum Glenn Dale, MD

April 19-20 GWA Spring Tactical Weekend Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site Newville, PA

Ereignisliste --- Frühling 2006 (Event Schedule – Spring 2007) November 2-3, 2007

Friday, November 2

1:00 - 6:00pm Registration shed open

5:30pm Modern vehicles must be moved from all GWA property beyond the registration shed gate (including the battlefield, roads, rear areas, camps) before 5:30pm and parked in the parking lots. The registration shed gate will be locked until 6am Sunday.

6:00pm Safety meeting on road between trenches.

6:30pm - 6:45pm Stand to.

6:45 - 10:00pm Night combat.

Saturday, November 3

8:00 - 8:55am Registration shed open.

9-10am Safety meeting formation for all units (mandatory attendance).

10:00am - 10:00pm Combat.

Sunday, November 4

6:00am Gate at registration shed opened. Modern vehicles may access roads to battlefield.

7:00 - 8:30am Battlefield cleanup.

8:00 - 9:00am Executive committee meeting.

Das Gewöhnlich Echtheitgeschwätz (The Usual Authenticity Rant) von Fensch (JR63) & Stiebritz (JR459)

The first line of authenticity is the individual’s kit; this is the responsibility of the Gruppenführer to make sure that his Gruppe is not in the field with wrong items. After the kit, the next line of authenticity is the bunker. If each of these components are correct, the unit will be correct. We assume that you want to do it right, or you wouldn’t want to be in JR63.

If you find what follows to be too restrictive, we will be glad to help you find a unit that allows you the leeway you feel comfortable with.

1. The foundation rule is : If you’re not sure it’s right, don’t do it . Questionable items should be cleared prior to use with an NCO or your sponsor. 2. No modern clothes or equipment. This includes obvious modern socks (like polyester white athletic socks), thermal underwear, t-shirts and anything Gore- Tex. No sleeping bags, however, you may bring as many blankets as you can stack on your bunk to keep you warm. 3. No modern flashlights or other lighting utensils. Additionally, no lights without a safety protection for open flames are to be used. For example, candles are not to be used unless they're in a holder and should really only be used outside, anyway. We have enough lamps in the bunker for adequate illumination. (Also, we appreciate donations to the unit, but please do not bring lamp oil unless it’s 100% paraffin oil. We use only that because it burns without fumes or odor.) The generator is to be used only: 1) during the daylight Thursday and Friday; 2) Sunday morning and 3) for emergencies. And no, finding your socks doesn’t qualify as an emergency, so don’t ask for the generator to be turned on simply for your convenience. 4. No modern gun cleaning equipment, such as (but not limited to) WD-40, K-Mart cleaning kits, WWII cleaning kits, etc. If you want to clean your weapon, cloth squares, gun oil in a period container and a pull-through made out of string & a weight are OK if you can’t find a correct WWI cleaning kit. 5. All drinks are to be in period-style bottles. No hiding cans and pouring the contents into a cup a la Civil War or WWII. If you want to do it that way, go do another period. The most common method is to get some correct bottles and decant (pour) your favorite drinks into them. Additionally, several beers and imported sodas already come in period lever-top bottles, for the exertion- impaired among us. All you need to do is soak the modern labels off. Try a store that sells a lot of imported items. If you wish, you are welcome to paste on period labels.

6. No coolers hidden under blankets or in boxes or elsewhere, either inside or outside the bunker. Placing bottles outside should be sufficient to chill them in the cold air of Neuville. Also, to improve your impression of a German Soldat, you shouldn't drink your beverages ice-cold anyway, just pleasantly cool. Ice- cold beer is an anachronism to the Great War, for any soldier of any army portrayed. 7. No modern food items . If you want to eat MREs, join the Armed Forces. No Pop Tarts, no Slim Jims, no Moon Pies, no Nabs, no Gatorade and the list goes on and on. The unit, as always, will provide breakfast and the evening meal on Friday and Saturday. You should bring your own food for the other mealtimes. Correct German food is relatively easy to come by, and consists of items such as cold sausage, cheese, dark bread, jam, canned fish (try to find the cans without pull tabs) pickles, chocolate and so on. Either use period labels on canned food, or just leave the cans plain. Do not paint cans Feldgrau. Just because the American Army does it, that doesn’t mean every other army in the world does it too. 8. NO BICS!! Not only are the bright fluorescent cases obvious, they aren’t much good in the winds of Neuville, as there is no wick to hold the flame. Check EBay, your sponsor or the Flea Market at the event for proper period lighters or match safes. 9. No tape recorders or CD players , even if hidden or disguised, to play cool German music. Instead, learn to sing the songs as you listen, then leave the players behind. Sometimes a member will bring a correct record player so, if you can find old 78s, they are acceptable. 10. NO FILTER CIGARETTES!! Pipe tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and even chew were used by WWI soldiers, but not filter cigarettes. If you can’t go 48 hours without a filter cigarette, even by switching to another form of tobacco, you need to listen to your significant other and cut down. 11. No non-period storage boxes . Items you bring should be in wooden boxes or cloth bags. Floor space is limited, so, if it won’t fit under the bottom tier of bunks or on your own bunk, it doesn’t belong. The floors must be clear. Again, this is not Revy or Civil War where people try to bring everything possible for every occasion. Bring only what you need. 12. No modern eyeglasses. If you haven’t taken care of this yet, you will have to wear contacts or go without your usual glasses. 13. No long hair. If it can be seen with your helmet on, it’s too long! Amaze your friends, relatives and co-workers by getting a correct German Army haircut! If you’re not willing to cut your hair, you’re reenacting the wrong period. 14. No items from other reenacting periods because they’re “close enough.” Close enough - isn’t right! Examples: US marked or obvious non-period blankets, CW cups and brogans, WW2 shirts and gun cleaning kits, etc... 15. No anachronistic personal jewelry , including, but not limited to neck chains, modern watches and rings, earrings, nose rings, tongue posts, etc.

16. You were required to choose a German name when you joined the unit. Use it! Find out the names of other members and call them by that name. If someone calls you by your real name, correct them or don’t respond unless they use your period name. On the farb level, it’s way up there when you hear supposed “Germans” yelling, “Hey Artie! You and Billy move to the left!” 17. Our unit portrays 2te Zug, 3te Kompagnie of the 63te Regiment of the Imperial German Army, late 1917. The appropriate impressions in 2te Zug are riflemen, grenadiers and light machine gun crew members. Rank and awards are assigned by the unit. Other combat portrayals are acceptable only during living history events and must be approved prior to the event by the Kompagnieführer. 18. When JR63 was established as a reenactment unit, it was chosen because it was a typical German combat infantry company. Therefore, items for your impression should be what was common, typical and ordinary for a German soldier. Exotic, exceptional or unusual items should be avoided, even if documentable. Again, if in doubt, please check with your sponsor or a unit leader of higher rank.

Note: Authenticity errors are never "grandfathered" in just because they are not noticed right away. Authenticity is a continual effort and the kits of 20 years ago, for example, would look farby today. If you have an incorrect item for several events before someone notices, you will still be expected to correct it. "Nobody told me" is not an excuse to keep something wrong in your impression.

To repeat , this list is not all-inclusive. It’s just to remind each of us what’s expected. In other words, if it isn’t listed here, that doesn’t mean it’s OK. If it’s not period, it doesn’t belong in the bunker. When in doubt, check with your NCO or sponsor. If you accidentally or on purpose bring a farb item into the bunker, don’t complain if you are asked to return it to your vehicle for the duration!

Going the Extra Mile

JR63 has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best units of WWI German reenacting. That means, as the title of this paragraph implies, that we go the extra mile when at an event. The goal of each member should be to push one’s impression a little farther at each event. Whether by making something for the unit or oneself, learning a song, adding to one’s persona, de-farbing an item, or one of many other actions, members should not, as is often seen in reenacting, reach a stagnation point where nothing ever changes. That in mind, here’s some food for thought about how our unit can grow in a qualitative way.

Persona - Have you developed your personal history? Do you know when & where you were born, who’s in your family, what your peacetime job is and so forth? If not, how can you do…

First Person - This is a term that describes speaking and acting as if one really is a German soldier and it really is 1917. It sounds difficult if you’ve never tried it, but it’s not really that hard and gets easier each time. The easiest way to do first person is simply to avoid talking about modern things; forget the big game, your new truck, computers, etc. Discuss the battle, the Kaiser, the French, the food, all the things soldiers have talked about since warfare began. Many modern topics, however, can easily be “translated” and discussed in first person. Complain about your wife--- back home in Schlesien; gripe about your work---instead of your computer programming problems, talk about the problems in the telegraphy shop; tell dirty jokes---about the English or French; discuss the latest kinescope (movie) you saw when you were on leave. If you try it, you’ll find some of the most memorable moments from past events will be “first person” moments. Also, if you are not in a first person mode, and others around you are, please don’t ruin their moment by discussing something modern. Move away from them to continue your discussion.

Drill - You can’t relive the life of a soldier without doing drill. That’s it. Anyone who dislikes drill and only wants to bang blanks will probably be unhappy in the 63 rd .

Fatigue Duty - Same concept. Some duties, like firewood collection are required if we are going to eat. Others, such as trench work are a necessary part of reenacting at Neuville. If you look at the life of an average soldier, even in wartime, they spent far more time doing fatigue duty and drill than they ever spent fighting. You can volunteer or be assigned (the NCOs try their best to spread the joy around), but again, if fatigue duty isn’t for you, then neither is the 63 rd .

Auf Deutsch By Ufz. Oskar Fensch (Tim Fensch), JR63

We want to start using some minimal German in the proximity of the Allies, both to add a little to the overall trench experience and also to make it a little more difficult for the Allies to know what we are doing since most of them won't understand us. Please review these basic commands and drill them as much as possible before the spring event. If you have questions on pronunciation, any of the following members can help: Schmidt, Skupien, Graf, Fensch, Geyer, Stiggs and probably others whom I've missed. Also, thanks to Skupien & Schmidt for their assistance in developing this. If you give it your best effort, I think this short vocabulary list will go a long way to improve the impression and combat experience for JR63.

German Meaning Pronunciation

Hier Here Heer Komm Come Calm Halt Stop Halt

Da There Dah Recht Right Rechkt (note the "chk" is that German throat-clearing sound) Links Left Links Dreh' Turn Dray Ecke Corner Ek-uh Vorwärts Forward For-vairts Zurück Back Tsu-rick Werf' Throw Vairf Feuer Fire Foyer Feuer Einstell' Cease Fire Foyer eyen schtel Schnell Quick schnel Pass Auf Watch Out Pos owf Geräumt Clear Ge-roymt Du You Doo Sie Them Zee Was What Vos Feind Enemy Find An mir With me On mir Grenate Grenade Grah-not-uh Graben Trench Grah-ben

Flaschenwasser im Graben (Bottled Water in the Trenches)

And you thought carrying around bottled water while exercising was a trendy new American activity didn’t you? From the “Handbook of the German Army in War, January 1917” by the British General Staff: “Generally speaking, most of the water in Northern France and Belgium is not fit for drinking purposes unless sterilized by boiling or other purposes…Soon after trench warfare became an established fact, the Germans organized local systems of water supply for the men in the trenches…To meet these new conditions, the Germans established or took over existing mineral water factories behind the front, and stored large quantities of bottled mineral water in and close behind the line. The men took two filled water bottles with them into the trenches, or, in some cases, were issued with special large tin water bottles.”

But remember, if you bring water in bottles into the trenches, they have to be in containers correct to the period. No plastic water bottles!

Die Etagenbetten (Bunks)

At every event we receive questions about the availability of buying and/or using bunks. We will have a diagram at the event which shows the bunks that are taken and those that are available for use or purchase (use/ownership of a bunk also includes the corresponding peg to hang equipment on.) Purchase of a bunk is $250. Payments can be arranged with Hoffmann if a one-time payment isn’t feasible. Full members should purchase a bunk to assure availability of a bunk at every event. Remember, assignment of empty bunks is on a “first come, first served” basis and just because someone is a member doesn’t guarantee use of a bunk if recruits or guests arrive earlier. Also, bunk purchases help provide treasury money for ongoing expenses.

Cook Cook Room Tunnelto 3.K./JR63 Bunker Bunk Owners 4. Pötters 4. 2. Kleinberg 2. 3.Empty Beyer 5. Empty 6. 1. Empty (Wood) Empty 1. Key

1. Top - rope (or wood) 2. Middle - all rope 3. Lower all wood 9. Empty 9. 7. Uphoff 7. 8.Geyer 10. Empty 10. (Wood) Fensch 11. Empty 12.

(Stove) Main Entrance

(Equipment)

(Equipment) 28. Empty 28. Naumann29. #1 30. #2 Naumann 13. Graf #2 13. Hudak 14. Hoffmann 15.

16. Graf #1 19. Hörr 22. Fritsch 25. Empty (Wood) 17. Simon 20. Decker 23. Königsreich #1 26. Empty 18. Empty 21. Empty 24. Königsreich #2 27. Empty 31. Empty 31. Warner 32. Unit 33. Storage Mannebach 34. Ostrofski 35. Unit 36. Storage