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GWA
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David Hughes
(Co-Chairman)
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Bill
White (Co-Chairman) "Merlin" Hanson (CP Trench Master) Steve Murphy (12MWK) Peter Geyer (3. /JR 63) Frank James (8. /JR459) Lou Brown (CP Combat Commander) Rob Zienta (GWA President) |
GWA Battlefield Site Regulations and Guidelines
I. Site Committee
A. Structure & Procedural Functions
1. The site committee is a standing committee of the GWA. Its responsibilities include regulating the authenticity of all GWA construction as prescribed in section 33 of the Bylaws of the Great War Association. It is also charged with making recommendations for the development and maintenance of the Caesar Krause Great War Memorial Site to the President and Administrative Committee (G-8).
2. The Committee shall work with the President and Administrative Committee (G-8) to design and layout an authentic recreation of a typical section of the Western Front, to develop construction guidelines of this battlefield and to make recommendations for the oversight and management for the site's continuing improvement and upkeep.
3. The Site Committee shall consists of the Central Powers and Allied Representative as Co-Chairmen, the Central Powers and Allied Combat Commanders, The Trench Masters, and other members either voluntary, or may be appointed by the President or Chairmen of the Site Committee.
4. The Site Committee as a body will vote on changes to the Site Regulations as needed in a special meeting called by the two Co-chairmen. Each member of the Site Committee holds one vote. The changes will be forwarded to the President and Administrative Committee (G-8) for approval.
5. The Site Committees will meet semi-annually, or on an as needed basis as determined by the Co-chairman or GWA President, to review and revise the Site, Site Maps, and periodically review and update these regulations.
6. All references to Trench Master will also mean an Assistant Trench Master who will work with the Trench Master or in his place if the former is not available for any reason.
7. The Trench Master will make day-to-day decisions, such as application approval, and enforcement the Site Regulations contained herein.
B. Duties of the Committee
1. Make every effort through research and analysis to create and maintain a realistic replica of a Western Front battlefield and German Field works through regulation, management, and enforcement.
2. Direct the amount and layout of any trenches dug in the battlefield tactical area of the Caesar Krause Great War Memorial Site, and to advise the leadership of the GWA concerning any maintenance or needed improvements to the site.
3. Coordinate planning and construction activities.
4. Discuss and resolve problems and issues concerning disputes that may arise through enforcement of this policy by the respective Trench Masters.
5. The Site Committee is responsible for developing a set of sample building and revetment guidelines that reflect wartime styles. The Trench Master may provide historical plans or guides to period construction techniques. These documents should be available upon the request of units planning a site improvement project.
II. Site Regulations
A. General Site Regulations
1. Trench and bunker locations will conform to practices on the Western Front as established through documents such as trench maps, tactical documents and field manuals of the period.
2. All materials used in trench and bunker construction must be similar at least in outward appearance to materials used during the Great War. All markings or modern letters/symbols must be covered over or hidden from view. Any plywood or other materials not used in the Great War must be covered over by facing boards, sandbags, earth etc.
3. "Skids" or "pallets" may not be used as duckboards or revetting unless they are altered to have uniform spacing of boards and they no longer resemble skids.
4. Wire may only be of barbed configuration. Pigtails and "Knife Rest" will be of authentic design, construction methods, and materials.
5. All Roofed trenches & structures must be strong enough to support the weigh of a large man (approximately 200 lbs).
6. "Temporary" cover or "roofing" may only consist of period looking canvas.
7. Removal of trees
will require the permission of the respective Trench Master or
Co-Chairman, but brush may be removed without prior approval.
8. Additions and/or changes to roads, saps, shell-holes, and mine craters in "no-man's-land" must be jointly agreed upon by the Trench Master, Representative, and Combat Commander of both sides.
9. Stone foundations may be reproduced, with the approval of the site committee. Building stones must be brought onto the site. The existing barn foundation may not be disturbed and/or pillaged for materials.
10. Cinder block will not be used for any exterior exposed construction.
11. The existing farmhouse must be maintained by its assigned users to be structurally safe, as well as to appear battle worn and rustic. Plans for any physical changes to the farmhouse must be approved by the Site Committee.
12. Any structure in the rear area of either line that will be visible to the enemy's trenches must be approved by the Site Committee. (Ex: Observation Tower)
13. Construction
& engineering standards of the time always used timbers & materials
that were twice as strong as the minimum required for their purpose.
All construction should be planned with this thought in mind.
B. Trenches
1. In addition to General Site Regulations in section II.A, the follow guidelines must be observed for trenches and revetments.
2. Individual units will be assigned specific sectors of front trench line, in which they will be expected to maintain and/or revet these sections. The trench masters will supervise this construction for historical accuracy and strength.
3. All trenches will be constructed with a minimum depth of 6 feet (before top edge sand bagging). In those areas where digging to 6 feet cannot be achieved due to rocky soil content, where practical, the front lip of the trench will be built up to the required depth using sand bags. Fill dirt or shale will then be placed in front of the sand bag parapet so as to present no visible target to enemy gunners.
4. The width of trenches should have a minimum passageway distance of 3.5 feet at knee level (approximately 20 inches or the height of the firing step.) Trenches should not exceed 5 feet in width at this level.
5. Sand bags placed in visible locations should be made of (un-dyed) burlap or authentic material that can be documented. Authentic looking substitutes such as U.S. milspec burlap bags, which come in a leaf green color and quickly fade to a raw burlap, are acceptable.
6. There is a maximum limitation of 3 visible sandbags above the lip of the trench.
7. Revetting will be constructed with bracing or wire anchoring systems to prevent their walls from caving in. Fire steps will also be provided in all frontline trenches.
8. Every unit is to provide at least one trench ladder for each trench bay or 15 feet of assigned trench.
C. General Bunkers & Structures Guidelines
1. In addition to General Site Regulations in section II.A, the follow guidelines must be observed for Bunkers & Other Structures.
2. Only Living/Shell Proof & Funk Holes will be built within the trench system. In rear areas other less survivable structures can be built based on documentable designs as long as they meet these General Guidelines.
3. All structures must be buried with earth on at least 3 sides. Unless an exception is granted by the appropriate Trench Master.
4. The frames of all structures must be designed so that they are reinforced in every direction with butted or lapped braces of sufficient strength to resist the pressure of back-fill and constructed to support the weight of several men on top. (For additional guidelines, see sample building and revetment plans available from your respective trench master.)
5. All structures will be waterproofed and will provide adequate drainage. Modern drainpipes under the structure are highly recommended.
6. All buried structures will have "venting" at the far end of the bunker from the door to provide air circulation. A minimum of one 6-inch pipe for every 200 square feet of floor space is required.
7. Fireproof materials such as corrugated tin should be placed between the stove and any wooden walls or beams. All stove piping will be of double wall flue type where the pipe passes through walls or ceilings. Stovepipes should not exit into the trench system.
8. Since most "Treated Lumber" is treated with chemicals that are carcinogenic. It cannot be used for living structures unless the manufacture certifies it to be safe for the health of habitants of the structure.
D. "Living/Shell Proof type":
1. In addition to the above General Bunkers & Structures Guidelines, Living/shell proof bunkers will be situated and constructed so that there will be at least one foot of earth back-fill or earth filled sandbags covering the structure's roof. In addition, the entire bunker with covering will not project above the surface of the surrounding terrain.
2. All living/shell
proof bunkers will be so constructed as to provide the appearance of
shell proof cover of at least three feet total of earth, and/or sandbags,
and heavy timbers.
E. Funk Holes:
1. In addition to General Site Regulations in section II.A, the follow guidelines must be observed for Funk Holes.
2. Funk Holes are small crude living structures in the trench lines. Funk Holes shall not exceed 6 feet in width or depth & a maximum ceiling height of 5'5"
3. The entrance is typically a large canvas opening as opposed to a wooded door and the open end may not face the enemy.
F. Machine Gun Emplacements:
1. In addition to General Site Regulations in section II.A, the follow guidelines must be observed for Machine gun emplacements.
2. All Machine gun emplacements (or nests) in the front line are to be constructed so as to blend in with the surroundings
3. A machine gun emplacement (not a bunker) should not protrude above the trench line or if not part of the trench line should not be easily identifiable from the opposing enemy side.
G. Machinegun Fighting Bunkers:
1. In addition to General Site Regulations in section II.A, the follow guidelines must be observed for machinegun fighting bunkers.
2. A machinegun-fighting bunker is defined as any permanent structure from which a machine gun can be fired through an embrasure with front, side and overhead protection for the entire crew.
3. Machinegun fighting bunkers, as opposed to cave shell/proof bunkers for MG personnel, due to authenticity reasons will be limited in number and carefully sited to serve both survival and tactical needs.
a. Allied Trenches: Machine gun fighting bunkers will only be constructed in the second line of the trench system.
b. Central Powers: A limited number of machine gun fighting bunkers may be located in the frontline. Authentic locations and numbers of location should be determined by the Combat Commander and approved by the Trench Master of that side.
4. Embrasure openings for machine guns and other small arms weapons will not be more than 12 inches from top to bottom and should conform to methods of concealment and protection used in the Great War. (For more details see sample building and revetment plans available from your respective trench master.)
5. Machine gun fighting bunkers will not protrude more than four feet above the surrounding terrain and will, within this total, provide the appearance of at least three feet of earth and sandbags and/or timbers for shell protection on top (i.e., maximum one foot embrasure + three feet of shell protection = 4 feet total height). The walls including the embrasure will also give the appearance of at least three feet of shell proofing.
H. Entrenched Artillery Positions:
1. In addition to General Site Regulations in section II.A, the follow guidelines must be observed for Entrenched Artillery Positions.
2. The Combat Commander will determine the location of entrenched artillery positions.
3. Revetments to the position need to be approved by the trench master.
III. Approval for Bunker or Trench Construction by Units.
1. All GWA units or individuals are required to obtain prior approval for any modifications or additions to the battlefield tactical area from their respective Trench Master. This includes new trenches, revetting, new bunkers, and bunker additions. The approval process will be governed by the regulations, guidelines and procedures contained herein.
2. Units will submit their plans to the appropriate Trench Master by US mail, other carrier, or e-mail if available. The enclosed Application for Trench System Change form (See Addendum) should be attach to drawings which clearly show proposed location, construction methods, and materials which complies with the rules laid down in Section II of this document.
3. The Trench Master will make his determination and recommendations first and foremost based on the Site Regulations in Section II of this document, and secondly, by the Guides for Accurate Trench Works contained in the site plan. The unit leader should keep a copy of the approved plans on hand. The Trench Master will keep a "file copy' of the completed form for GWA records.
4. The Trench Master has the power and authority to "approve" or "disapprove" applications. All "disapproved" applications will be immediately returned to the person submitting it with a request to seek additional information and/or recommendations for changes to the application. "Approved" applications will be "file copied" and immediately returned to the person submitting it. (Expected turnaround for snail mail is 2-4 weeks, while turn around for e-mail will be less)
5. For best results,
start plans early.
IV. Regulation Enforcement and Appeals
1. If the construction does not comply with that which has been approved, it will either be changed to conform to authenticity standards or removed and filled in. The unit will be given a reasonable amount of time to make the necessary corrections. (6 months or to the next Event for small changes, and 1 year for major changes) If not altered or removed by the unit in this time period, it will become the property of GWA and disposed of as determined by the President & appropriate Co-Chair of the Site Committee.
2. Application for Trench System Change (form attached), are only valid for one year from date of approval. Extensions must be requested on an Application for Trench System Change form before the date of validity expires. After the expiration date a new form with attached drawings must be resubmitted for approval using the procedure in section III.
3. The Trench Master (or his designate) will perform a safety inspection for structural damage of all bunkers and trench lines, prior to, or at each event. Structures found to have major structural damage must be "condemned" and that structure may not be used for any purpose until repairs are made and "passing" a re-inspection. Structures found to have minor structural damage must be repaired by the following event. (All major repairs need to be approve by submitting an Application for Trench System Change) If the changes are not made, then the structure will be become the property of GWA and disposed of as determined by the President & appropriate Co-Chair.
4. Abandoned structures (Unused for 2 years or more) or structures of units that have been dissolved or permanently banned from GWA property, will become the property of the GWA and will be destroyed, scrapped or redistributed to other units as deemed appropriate by the President & the appropriate Co-Chair.
5. Persons or Units digging or constructing structures without approval by the Trench Master will be notified of their violation in writing by the Trench Master and reported to the President & the appropriate Co-Chair for Action.
6. General failure to comply with regulations in this document or with decisions made by the GWA Administrative Committee (G-8), Site Committee or Trench Masters will be grounds for the structure or revetment to be removed or filled-in by the GWA and/or the unit and/or its leaders may be bared from participation in events at the memorial site until repairs or changes are made to the satisfaction of the GWA Administrative Committee (G-8) & Site Committee.
7. All disagreements
over enforcement issues, unjust "disproved" Applications or
Applications that go beyond four weeks without action should be first
brought to the attention of the respective Representative. Disputes
will be heard and ruled on by the Site Committee. Additional appeals
may be taken to the GWA President if the respective Representative cannot
resolve the situation within an additional two weeks. The President's
decision will be final.
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APPLICATION FOR TRENCH SYSTEM CHANGE
1) This approval
process is designed to assure trench system authenticity.
2) This application must be submitted and approved in writing before
the proposed digging and/or construction is started.
3) Only one new bunker per unit will be approved per year.
Unit________________________________________________Date_____________
Unit Leader________________________________________Phone_____________
Address______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Change requested_________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
* Attach drawings of proposed digging and/or construction including: location, dimensions, materials, and design specifications of bracing or framing. These should conform to the GWA Battlefield Site Regulations and Guidelines and to your respective Allied or Central Powers Battlefield Plans.
* The Site Committee reserves the right to require changes or removal if the final digging an/or construction if it does not conform to that approved on this form and its attached drawings.
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For Trench Master use:
This application Meets / Does Not Meet the Site Regulations and Guidelines.
Approval is Given / Not Given to proceed with this proposal.
Signature____________________________________________Date________________
Trench Master * Application valid for one year from date above.
Comments:
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