Tactical Re-enacting
Tactical re-enacting is the combat aspect of re-enacting. This is where you will use your gear in the way it was intended in replicating aspects of combat.
Within the re-enactment community there are essentially 2 approaches to "Tacticals"
Blank Firing, in which real firearms adapted to fire blanks are used to represent the weapons in use by the armies being re-enacted. The advantage of this method is realism, real guns , real BANGS. The limitation is that many of the guns in use by WWII armies are either prohibited or restricted firearms in Canada and can not be discharged anywhere but an approved range. This reality curtails the weapons that may be used in re-enactments to unrestricted firearms only, or limits the location to areas that can be approved for discharge.
The other limitation of blank firing "tacticals" is that it is hard to know when you are "hit" and this results in many circumstances of hard feelings, or feelings of one or the other faction in a fight "not taking their hits"
The other approach is "Contact Tactical" This method uses Airsoft versions of the typical WWII firearms. Firing a 6MM plastic projectile at effective ranges up to 100M , Airsoft guns provide an effective and safe means to bring positive contact to the tactical reenactment. The Advantage of this approach is that there are many realistic guns to choose from, essentially every gun in common use by Allied and German forces in WWII exists in an airsoft version. Airsoft guns are unregulated firearms with no limitation other than public safety in their use. The other advantage is that they actually fire a safe projectile so that one knows when they are hit resulting in a much better tactical simulation experience. The most significant disadvantage is that there is no BANG so Contact tacticals lack a certain realistic sound and feel. In addition safety equipment in the form of ballistic goggles must be worn and this detracts from the immersion one feels in the battle due to the unavoidable "modern" look of most goggles. Though many low profile goggle solutions are available that significantly reduces the visual impact of this safety equipment.
For Operation Woodsman, Airsoft guns will be used for some aspects of the "tactical" portions of the Event, particularly at night.
For Operation woodsman the maximum velocity for any airsoft gun will be 135 m/s ( 450 fps) measured with a .2g BB
THE MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE EYE PROTECTION IS CLOSE FITTING BALLISTIC GLASSES. FULL SEAL GOGGLES ARE RECOMMENDED.
grenades may be in use, rubber or replica grenades may be safely thrown, if the grenade lands within 10 feet of you call yourself hit unless you are behind hard cover or can get there with one step.
Cold burning smoke may be permitted on the day of the event depending on the fire risk. Pyrotechnics of any kind must be pre-approved before they may be used.
Actions on being hit, Once hit fall where you are hit, Remove your helmet or hat .If you have a red kill rag pull it and put it on your head or in some other obvious location. you may call for help, you may not use your weapon. If a member of your friendly forces come to you within 5 minutes you may be extracted to an aid station and return to the fight upon reaching the Aid Station. If an enemy force comes to you within 5 minutes you may be captured as a prisoner. To move a wounded person you must assist them as if they have a leg wound. One man helping you may move at a walking pace, with two you may move faster. If no one comes to help you after 5 minutes you may elect to wait longer for aid or you may "die" take yourself out of the battle and walk back to your MAIN CAMP to report your KIA status. Do not get up in the middle of a raging firefight you may only "die" and leave the field if the battle has moved on from your immediate location. KIA reenactors will be mustered at the main camp and sent back in to the battlefield as reinforcements.
ALLIED forces will have access to the Partisan aid station and their own located at their on field checkpoint. AXIS forces will have only one aid station located at their on field checkpoint.
Action on taking prisoners: all prisoners must be taken to the enemy rear area camp, their names recorded and then they may be released. Upon release make you way through the safe zone back to your camp to be reunited with your unit as a reinforcement. Do not re-enter the battle without reporting to your camp.