ARDENNES

CROSSROADS

          to 

  MALMEDY

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RULES OF CONDUCT 

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HIGHLIGHTS  For the detailed list of regulations click heer.

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Team Leaders.

Team leaders will be designated by each participating unit and will chiefly consist of noncommissioned and commissioned officers. Courtesy will be given to NCOs and officers of both axis and allied units. In return, NCOs and officers of both axis and allied units will be responsible for enforcing the standards of conduct at the event. 

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Authenticity.

As living historians, participants are obligated to maintain individual and unit authenticity while participating in the event. There is a responsibility to look and behave as actual soldiers during WWII. In essence, all participants are portraying men and women during the mid twentieth century, and failure to contribute to the simulation is not only failing to honor fellow participants, but (in essence) the veterans of that period as well. Modern uniform apparel and equipment is not welcome. All participants must have correct period or quality reproduction uniforms and gear, or historically accurate impressions. Uniform military hair and facial grooming standards will be enforced.  Deliberate and blatant authenticity violations will be given warning and an opportunity for correction. If warnings are ignored, violators will be required to leave the event. Reproductions are acceptable as long as they faithfully represent original equipment.

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Use of captured weapons is frowned upon. Although it happened, it was not commonplace.  Use of such must be approved by the Allied and Axis coordinators respectively. Be authentic; use weapons of the country you represent.  

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Display of Nazi Flags and Banners are not allowed in public events. German troops did not commonly display these in the field.

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Props and Event Equipment.

This event has many props and equipment, carefully recreated for everyone's enjoyment, enhancing the ambiance of a European battlefield.  These are private property. Vandalism, theft, or destruction of property, done willfully or due to carelessness, will result in the participant being banned from the event. In essence, do not attempt to reposition, operate, or remove any equipment placed on the field unless designated to do so by the event coordinators.

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Property vehicles, structures, and fences are strictly off limits.  These are private property and will be treated with the highest respect.

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Personal Vehicles.

Personal vehicles of non-WWII vintage must be parked in a separate area, out of sight of any simulated event, immediately after unloading. Respect the right of others wishing to fully participate in the event without the intrusion of modern vehicles and equipment.  Therefore, no overnight parking of privately owned vehicles allowed except in designated areas on the event site, with the exception of era correct vehicles.

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 Alcohol/Drug Usage.

Alcohol consumption by participants during this event is not encouraged. The monitoring of alcohol consumption will be strictly enforced. Participants found to be consuming alcohol negligently during this event will not be allowed to participate and may be required to leave if directed to do so by the coordinators of the event. Any adult providing alcohol to minors will be banned from the event and information provided to legal authorities.

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Illegal drugs and Controlled Substances .

Illegal drug use is strictly prohibited. If participants are found to be using illegal drugs, they will be immediately dismissed from the event and information will be provided to legal authorities.

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Minimum Age.

Participants must be 16 years of age to participate (with parent or guardian written consent and constant adult supervision) in any event and may represent non-combatants, such as a dispatch, medic, or media correspondent, with the exception of members of groups approved by the event staff. All minors carrying a firearm or explosive device must be approved by the event staff and have a previous weapons training course with certification by their group leader, who will be responsible for their actions. Minors are not authorized to use any large-bore device. All minors 16 and above must attend with the supervision of a parent or guardian at all times, and have a Parental Consent Form signed and witnessed by two consenting adults.

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Glass Bottles, Trash, and Containers.

Glass containers are forbidden at this event. Beverages must be poured into a cup and original containers carried off site in personal vehicles of the participants. Absolutely no glass will be allowed in the trash containers. Littering on the site will not be tolerated.

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SAFETY.

Safety is the first and primary concern. There will be an inspection of all weapons, blanks, and battlefield devices by designated members of all units. Preloaded magazines are not permitted. Blanks will be sealed in a clear plastic bag and checked by designated personnel.  At the morning inspections all clips will be removed from cartridge belts for inspection. ABSOLUTELY NO LIVE AMMUNITION ON SITE.  NO wood tip blanks or shotguns allowed. 

 

There is to be no blind firing around corners, obstacles, etc. Combatants must have a sight on their target before firing. The area in front of a weapon must be clear five meters (30 feet) feet of all personnel before firing.  There will be no point blank weapon pointing at self or other participants.

 

No bladed weapons will be removed from a sheath during a battle in a threatening or simulated threatening manner. No weapon will have a fixed bayonet during a battle or in direct public contact. No hand to hand combat will be performed unless coordinated and agreed with another participant.  Absolutely no night attacks or firing of weapons at night. No use of flare guns, fireworks, etc. No shooting at low flying aircraft.

 

All explosive devices are to be approved before dispersion into the event. The handling, possession, or discharge of any firearm is absolutely prohibited when anyone has consumed alcohol or by any individual found rationally questionable. No person under the age of 16 will handle, possess, discharge any firearm (as defined in F.S.S. 790 ) during this event, unless the minor is attached to a group approved by the event staff and has a previous weapons training course with certification by their group leader. This includes public minors. 

 

All mortar simulator rounds and rifle grenades shall have a discharging charge only, with no secondary charge. Maximum weight shall be 6 ounces for projectiles with tailfins and 8 ounces for projectiles without tailfins. Smoke discharge devices may be used at the discretion of the event staff, based on weather conditions.  Machine guns must have proper ATF paperwork.  For the purposes of filing the ATF form 5320.20 “Application to transport Interstate Weapon”.  In all cases, State and Federal firearms laws will be strictly adhered to by all participants. Proper certification and permits are the sole responsibility of the individual owner and must be rendered upon request.

 

Helmets must be worn by all uniformed participants. Unit commanders will be ultimately responsible for their unit's actions.

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Battlefield Regulations.

Hit calling is frowned upon and will not be tolerated. Unit commanders and NCOs will act as neutral referees to ensure that their troops are taking obvious hits. Umpires will be present and will have the absolute final determination on hits.  Anyone using foul language will automatically be a casualty, and if language continues, will be asked to leave the battlefield.

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 Individual participants will be aligned with a participating recognized unit.  Recognized units will consist of at least four (4) members.

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Unit commanders must report to the overall coordinator upon registration at the event. Please provide a roster of unit members who are attending. The event coordinators, after review and agreement with the event staff,  reserves the right to decline anyone from participating in the event, if the coordinator believes disruptive conduct and/or unsafe practices would be exhibited by a participant during the event.

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 REGISTRATION PROCESS & AGREEMENT TO RULES OF CONDUCT

Participants will be required to pay a participation fee and sign an agreement for the Release of Liability Waiver and for the Rules of Conduct Form, as defined by the Wiregrass Living History Group  for  the Crossroads to Malmedy Event 2020. Please see the Registration Page for details. A valid photo ID and proof of age will be required for all participants. On completion of the registration process and ammunition check, an event pass will be issued and must be kept on each person at all times.

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