Operation
"Stille Nacht"
December
14-16, 2007 Ft. Custer, MI
Sponsored
by the 21st Panzerdivision (HRS)
in
partnership with 5th SS "Wiking" (HRS)
The tactical scenario: The Battle of the Bulge which lasted from December
16, 1944 to January 28, 1945 was the
largest land battle of World War II in which the United States
participated. More than a million men fought in this
battle including some 600,000 Germans, 500,000 Americans, and
55,000 British. The German military force consisted
of two Armies with ten corps(equal to 29 divisions). While the
American military force consisted of a total of three
armies with six corps (equal to 31 divisions). At the conclusion
of the battle the casualties were as follows:
81,000 U.S. with 19,000 killed, 1400 British with 200 killed,
and 100,000 Germans killed, wounded or captured.
Event Details:
The popular annual "Stille
Nacht" event has been moved to the US Army Ft. Custer Training
Area in Augusta, MI. This
means we'll be fighting in their tactical warfare training area
(the one with the buildings) and all participants will be housed
in modern, heated barracks. There will be food available for sale
on post and of course off post. There will be one (possibly
two) mess halls full of WW2 vendors. For those of you who like
a drink in the evening, the base all ranks club is open to the
event participants.
More Details:
- The barracks have a TOTAL of 32 beds per floor... 28 plus 2
bunks in two private NCO rooms. NCO rooms can not be
reserved, they are first-come, first-served.
- As it is with the GAP out East,
this is a WW2 event for EVERYBODY! Come as whatever WW2 impression
you like, guys
and dolls included. The barracks will be left OPEN all day, so
you can float from the vendor halls to your bunk for chit-chat
instead of participating in the battle if you prefer. Be warned
though: unlike the GAP, we will not tolerate FARB!
- The tactical will be run using
the RETO system. This involves a series of tactical objectives
(ammo boxes, jerry cans, etc.)
that must be gained by your side and kept throughout the battle
for points. A RETO class will be taught Friday night - if you
don't attend, you can not participate in the battle. Units have
been booted from this event in the past, and we will do so in
the future if need be.
- The Tactical will be run using
the Rules of Engagement for Tactical Objectives (RETO) system.
RETO seminars will be taught
Friday night AND Saturday morning. ALL tactical participants will
have to attend to be allowed in the field.
The tactical sschedule (formation at 9am and battle beginning
at 10am - 4pm) allows late arrivals or people that have to work
friday night to still attend.
For more background info on RETO
they can visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WW2RETO/
Download this pre-registration
form (it is a jpeg
file) print it out and mail it in!
Mail it to:
Mike Bollow
629 Waterbury
Aurora, IL 60504
Participating
WWII Vendors:
Quartermaster Militaria
Dutchie's Surplus
The Old Paratrooper
Castle Keep
Special WWII
Veteran Guests
to be announced
DIRECTIONS:
To get to Fort Custer,
take I-94 to Exit 92 (Climax Road) and turn NORTH. The second
traffic light is Hill-Brady Road, turn WEST (left). After about
mile turn LEFT on to Denso Road to the entry Gate. Have your Picture
ID ready. Proceed straight ahead and follow the road and "WW2"
signs to the Registration Barrack. You may arrive anytime after
1300 hrs on Friday, December 8th. Remember, we are guests of the
base and your behavior should reflect that. Please contact the
POC if you plan on bringing a period vehicle. Please, only period
style vehicles parked next to the barracks. Unload your gear from
the POV parking lot.
See you there!