You are invited to attend a World War II weekend of fun at the Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, Michigan, just west of Battle Creek. This tactical event is open to US, British, Free French and Axis forces that would have been engaged in the Fall of 1944. 

       The POC for any specific questions on RETO or this event is Alan Miltich, email WikingPionier@Comcast.net or Phone 517-796-9193   9am – 9pm Eastern time, please!  Info and forms can also be downloaded from the homepage of www.Wiking.org 

             You must preregister for this event!  There are three options on how to preregister:  

1)  Use http://Westwall2011.eventbrite.com/ and prepay $21 using a credit card via the internet,  

2)  simply pre-register with Eventbrite without prepayment to get on the ‘gate list’ and pay $25 in cash when you arrive. 

3)  Fill out the registration form and waiver (WikingPionier@comcast.net) and mail in with a check or money order for $21.  Mail in forms must be received by Tuesday, October 18.

Eventbrite registration closes on Wednesday, October 19 at 9am (EDT). 

If you are not sure you can attend but want to be on the gate list “just in case”, please use Option #2 – there is no charge if you do not show up!

       Vendors can use the common area and stay on base for a modest fee of $10 for a 10x10 foot area.  Vendors, use the ‘free ticket – pay at registration’ option.  Any additional vendor employees may also use the ‘free ticket –pay at registration’ registration option.  Anyone that needs more space can reserve it with an additional fee.  

      Our event is open to all reenactors that belong to HRS approved associations.  We will be enforcing HRS Safety and Authenticity rules, except that we do allow 16-17 year olds to use weapons, with adult supervision. 

      We don’t want to disappoint anyone, but HRS S&A rules will be strictly enforced.  If you have ANY question about being able to properly portray a COMBAT participant in Western Europe in late 1944, please contact us first.  It is your obligation to meet our standards, not for us to alter the standards to meet what equipment you brought.  At the barracks, WWII military dress is encouraged but not enforced.

 ** NOTE! ** Due to security concerns, the military is becoming more concerned about the ammunition and pyrotechnics that are brought on the base. NO LIVE AMMO! No homemade pyro, only store bought, non-aerial (ala rocket) pyro. No ammo in the barracks area!  HAVE ALL YOUR BLANK AMMO PACKED IN SEE THROUGH ZIP LOCK BAGS with YOUR NAME AND UNIT NAME CLEARLY MARKED to assist in Saturday distribution!!  The Security Guards must see the tips of all ammo to ensure they are blanks – THINK like a security guard and pack the bags very loosely, LESS THAN ½ FULL so the bag can be laid out on a flat surface and contents inspected easily!  The larger the bag the better!  Have your weapons and ammo readily available for the security check and things speed up! 

     Belt fed ammo boxes are fine as-is, as the belted ammo is easy to inspect for live rounds.  The completed boxes are then collected.  Inspected ammo can be put into any kind of marked box or bag for easy carry.  The ammo will be collected at the Security Gate by Wiking staff, to be taken to the Wiking "ammo dump" on the edge of the tactical area. After your vehicle is inspected, you are welcome to stop at the Ammo Dump, as that is also where ammo vendors will be set up. If you want to preload your weapon magazines, you are welcome to do so at this time, please provide a marked bag or box that the loaded mags can be stowed in for the night. Prior to Saturday inspection, all units will pick up their ammo at the Ammo Dump" prior to deploying to the field.

    Robb Walters of AtlanticWallBlanks.com will be able to arrange for PRE-PAID ammo orders to be available for you at the event.  Contact him and make arrangements and the ammo will be at the ammo dump with your name and unit # already indicated on the bag.

       BAYONETS will be allowed on base but KEEP THEM SHEATHED and STOWED AWAY until the Saturday tactical.  NO WEARING OF BAYONETS in the barracks area.   Anyone wearing a bayonet except for in the tactical will be escorted off base!  No other knives longer than 4” will be allowed on base.    

      The tactical will be using the objective based tactical system called “Rules of Engagement for Tactical Objectives” (RETO).  The rules are a point-based system of tracking successful strategy during the tactical.  More details at:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WW2RETO/    

      There is no “scenario”.  The forces must use chain of command, reconnaissance and cooperation to win.  You might think of this as a tactical with a little bit of “Capture the Flag” and “Scavenger” hunt thrown in!  

      The tactical will last about 6 hours, beginning at 10:30am.  You MUST arrive in time to register and attend the last 9am RETO seminar or you will not be allowed to deploy.  There are no scheduled lunch breaks, work it out in the field!  As there are areas and stockpiles of Victory Points to defend, troops can be rotated to meet their own physical ability.  Water will be provided in the field, but bring your own tactical rations. 

      To get to Fort Custer, take I-94 to Exit 92 (Climax Road) and turn NORTH.  The road will curve to the left and the second traffic light is Hill-Brady Road, turn WEST (left).  After about 3/4 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 Mess Hall. The barracks are the original World War II barracks.  Only bunk beds and rough pillows are provided, so bring your own bedding!

You may arrive anytime after 1300 hrs on Friday, October 21.  

     Remember, we are guests of the base and your behavior should reflect that. 

      In order to use one of the training areas like area 5 or 6 that are "way out", we need transport to move the troops.  Any military or WWII era transport vehicles that will support the movement of troops in and out of the tactical area will get a towing fuel rebate – please contact Alan at WikingPionier@comcast.net for details!  If we cannot arrange for proper transport, we will be using the closer Training Area 1.

     Please, only period style vehicles parked next to the barracks.  Unload your gear and park in the Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) parking lot. 

     A snack shop will open in the common area mess hall and will offer sweet rolls, microwave egg sandwiches, and coffee Saturday and Sunday morning and quick meals of burgers, brats and chili with drinks and snacks on Friday night until 10:30 pm and for a short time after the tactical on Saturday. 

      Once again we are offering a complete, sit down, catered roast beef banquet buffet with dessert and beverages ( Alfons will buy the first round of Leinenkugel! ) on Saturday for an additional $8.95!  Banquet meal tickets must be prepaid to ensure enough food is prepared.  We have a limited number of tickets, and they are transferable if you pay and cannot attend.  If we are able to squeeze in a few more tables, we will offer some open tickets for sale at the registration desk.  You are welcome to bring your own adult beverages for the Saturday banquet.  “Custer’s First Stand”, the on-base bar will be open both Friday and Saturday.

For those bringing Class III weapons from out of state,

                        Fort Custer Training Center

2501 26^th Street

Augusta, MI 49012-9205  is what you’d use for your ATF forms.

NO overnight POV parking in front of barracks!

Preregister at:  http://Westwall2011.eventbrite.com/

Tentative Itinerary:

Tuesday, October 18:            Deadline for mailed in prepaid applications to be received

Tuesday, October 18:            Deadline for Eventbrite registration (9 pm EDT)

Thursday, October 20:           Early arrival of Wiking staff, after 1 pm

Friday, October 21:                 1300:  Registration, Vendors and Public Barracks Open

                                                1300:  Snack bar opens with snacks/soup/chili/brat/dogs/burgers  

                                                1800:  RETO opens, seminars on 45 minute rotations

2200:  Unit Commander and Vehicle driver meeting

 2300:  Movies, RETO discussion, and Vendors close down                                        

2315:  Registration Closes for the night

2400  Quiet Time in barracks be considerate of others!

Saturday, October 22:         0700:  Coffee is on, Snack Bar and Registration re-opens

                                                0715:  RETO seminar area opens

                                                0845:  Registration Closes

                                                0920:  RETO Seminars end

                                                0930:  Units form up for inspection at Ammo Dump

                                                0955:  Deployment to the field begins (Axis First)

                                                1030:  Engagement begins

                                                1630:  Engagement ends

                                                1830:  Roast Beef Banquet

                                                1830:  RETO reults posted in Mess Hall

                                                2000:  WWII Trivia game w/prizes following the banquet!

Sunday, October 23:           1000:  Barracks inspected

                                                1200:  All reenactors must vacate the post!