Eastern Front Event-2013

[Larry Dunn]

I am pleased to report that GWHS Eastern Front Event was a smashing success. While the numbers weren't huge, the level of enthusiasm was excellent, as was the sportsmanship. As far as I could tell, everyone was taking their hits throughout the entire event.

Hats off to the Russians for their extremely effective use of smoke; not only for the sheer volume of smoke, but for the very skillful distribution.

Some interesting moments included a lone Austrian soldier sent to probe the enemy line--he calmly walked across NML, stepped over the enemy wire and shot the Allied brigade commander before he was gestorben in Heldentod für Kaiser und Vaterland.

The scenario was the Brusilov Offensive, so for the Central Powers there was mostly "planned strategic withdrawals to prepared positions," though we did manage a Gegenangriff that caught the Russians by surprise. There was an attempt to get the Russians to surrender, but the negotiations (not surprisingly) broke down rather rapidly when the Central Powers commander was shot in the head. Those remaining promptly shot each other; survivors were promptly killed by a Russian suicide bomber. It's WWI--everybody dies!

The Russians attacked repeatedly with verve and elan, driving us from position to position. The CP demonstrated tenacity in the defense, and considerable tactical skill during the open warfare phase of the battle.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the event was the great Kameradschaft that extended across the lines. The post event BBQ in the Russian camp included all participants; the hospitality (and food) was excellent. We all had a good time--I would rate this as the best event so far at King's Crossing, and approaching the best events at Ozena. Let's keep the momentum going in November.

Many thanks to Patrick, Darth, Monty, Clayton and Adam Lid for putting this event together. Frank Jones gets a special mention, and will henceforth be known in the CP lines as die Rauschmeister.

To my tapferer Austro-Hungarian and German Soldaten, my thanks and appreciation.

Franz Joseph Stricker, K.u.K. I.R. Erzherzog Carl Stephan, Nr. 8
(identical cousin of Otto Stricker, K.u.K. I.R. Ritter von Frank, Nr. 61)

[oskar2ndchev]

As one of the two Germans present, I want to say that this was probably one of the most fun events I've been to in a long time. I saw more hand-to-hand combat and grenade use than I've seen in a long time.

The best part was defintely the Kameradschaft and it went a long way to making the even enjoyable. I definitaly would like to see more of those.

P.S. I think my horse wound up on the Russian stew pot... ;D

[Platon Karataev]

I know I had a really great time also. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans are a sneaky lot. They twice got the best of us, once for not having a watch posted, which resulted in the murder of our Commanding Officer, and again when they made a deadly feint at surrender, only to be repulsed by Unterofitser Rimsky, who saved the day with a suicide grenade attack.

My hat off to everyone who showed, all were in good spirits and comradeship. Ура Ура Ура!

[montythetommy]

Definitely a keeper event! Loads of fun and all the cool kids were there.