BATTLE OF KURSK / PROHOROVKA
(September 12th, 2003. Camp Roberts, California.)
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RUSSIAN FRONT BATTLE KURSK
SEPTEMBER 12,13 & 14 2003, Camp Roberts, California.

Contact is Robert Bodeau, 1-805-239-0191 home 6-9pm
or work 1-805-541-5144 ext 109 week days

Scenario is Russian probing attack against German flank positions.

SATURDAY: starting at 9 AM the Russians scouts will advance to contact against Germans who will have set up a thin forward defensive trip line on the flanks of their forces which are attacking the main Russian defenses at Kursk. The Germans will do a fighting fall back and establish a main defensive line where the both forces will then engage (9AM TO 12 NOON). If the Germans are successful in holding this line they will counter attack (1 PM TO 5 PM) to gain possession of Russians HQ, signaling a victory for the day. If the Germans are unable to hold their defensive line they will continue to fall back making an attempt to halt the Russians prior to reaching the spot designated near the POV parking area as the end of the battle and a Russian victory. If victory occurs too early in day commanders will decide on new battle.

SUNDAY: the victors from Saturday choose attack, defense or meeting engagement at their option. The defenders move to the designated area and set up their plan one half hour later the enemy will begin to probe forward from their starting point positions with the intent to destroy the defenders who may be mobile or dug in their choice.

Wound cards will be used at this event.

Each side will be required to have and man at least one Aid station (designated by a 3X3 foot Red Cross flag) and no closer than 100 yards to the forward battle line. Attackers will designate a vehicle for this purpose with a Red Cross flag.

KIA dead time will be decided that Saturday by commanders but not less than 5 minutes at the Aid station will be required. Dead can only return to combat in groups of three or more soldiers from the Aid Station on their side.

Light wounds: may be treated in place by applying a bandage (each combatant needs to provide their own bandage, 3 X 24 inches of white cloth is recommended) this will allow that person to fight in-spite of wound or they can move to the Aid Station for treatment by a medic and be totally recovered and unwounded. A second wound kills if wearing a bandage.

Serious wounds: will not fight and can only be moved by medics or friends to the Aid Station otherwise they must wait 5 minutes and die in place and then move back to the Aid Station on their own and wait another 5 minutes before resurrecting and returning to combat in groups of no less than three persons.

New wound cards: Are only issued at the Aid Station.

KIA and Seriously wounded will wait until fighting passes their position or a halt is called in combat to get up and move to the Aid Station.

KIA are dead you do not get up, move about, give orders, chat with friends, point out enemy positions etc. you are dead and incapable of action, period. Other combatants if some one is dead near you and the action has moved on let them know so they can move back to the Aid Station and resurrect.

Wounded are encouraged to scream and other wise be a nuisance to their comrades by whining, begging and other forms of hamming it up.

NO calling of hits will be allowed at RPS events any one doing so is automatically KIA.

There will be armistice breaks for retrieving gear every so often as decided by commanders through mutual agreement at which time prisoners and those KIA and serious wounded who may have been isolated behind enemy lines may move back to their own sides Aid Station and wait until action restarts to enter combat.

Live and lightly wounded soldiers who are isolated behind enemy lines how ever must attempt to get back as best they can and will not use the armistice time outs to regain their own lines. Isolated troops do not move during these breaks nor are any troops allowed to reposition.

Any soldier captured by an enemy combatant, wounded or other wise who has been designated a prisoner by the enemy by virtue of the enemy soldiers stopping and so telling them that they are a prisoner will be escorted to that enemies Aid station and await a prisoner exchange by at least one armed soldier.

Prisoners will still possess their weapons carrying them slung with the barrel pointing down ward, they will not use them to attempt an escape. It will be as though they do not possess weapons. At least one armed enemy soldier must present to guard prisoners.

Prisoners who attempt to escape must put on their headgear as soon as they are twenty feet from the Aid Station so as not to be confused with non-escaping prisoners, escapees will consider themselves as unarmed during this escape attempt. Unless they over powered their guard and gained a weapon.

This is on an honor system so lets all follow these rules.

All POV (privately owned vehicle) will park down at the airstrip as soon as the vehicle is unloaded or with in one hour of arrival please. Any special needs will be cleared with Bob Bodeau and no one else. He will issue a temporary parking pass to put on the dash.

Unit commanders will have their military police working asap upon arrival at the event and at the Café at night, please check in with Bob Bodeau about this.

All military vehicle parking will be in a designated area near the barracks but NO vehicles will be parked between barracks buildings, period. The Camp Roberts MP's will give you a Federal ticket you if you do and it will not be cheap, so be warned.

It is hoped that RPS will have the Russian T34/85 up and running, the Russian jeep is running and perhaps Brian's groups BA 64. The Germans hope to have several motorcycles, K-wagons, half tracks, AT guns and maybe the Sdkfz 222 for the event.

All vehicles appropriate to the Russian front are encouraged to attend if you lack a Russian or German uniform to come out in with your vehicle call event chair person.

Barracks and billets: Barracks reservations call Jim Camarillo at 1-209-521-3555 or evenings 1-209-521-1053. Billets call Camp Roberts well in advance and reserve them at 1-805-238-3100.

The Café is planning to attend with great food as usual and entertainment Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning. There may be a cover charge for entertainment plus a passing of the hat for tips to cover the musicians expense.

Reservations: are required in advance to insure enough food is bought and cooked to meet the needs of customers. Those without reservations may be out of luck if they just plan to walk in and be able to get a meal. Do not miss out on this opportunity.

For Café reservations call Sherry Scott only no one else is qualified to take reservations, do not give them to Bob Bodeau or Jim Cammarillo.

KP: All unit commanders, the Café needs people for KP duty, in one hour shifts, please make a list of persons for this duty and give them to Sherry at the Café Saturday morning by 8 AM. KP gets you a free meal.

WATER is a must. Unit commanders need to plan to bring water for their troops as well as the troops insuring that they have a canteen or two. It will be hot.

UNIT COMMANDERS: Please meet with Bob Bodeau as soon as you arrive for event info. Please read wound cards guidelines posted in barracks and insure your troops read and understand them prior to going on the field. Be prepared to designate a safety officer for the event. This is your chance to ask questions, bitch and make changes, take advantage of it. All vehicles require a safety check. See Jim Camarillo about this.

SATURDAY: 6:30 AM: Reveille, eat, wash and get in uniform, buy ammo, etc.

7:00 AM: Unit commanders briefing with Bob Bodeau, Jeff Nueman and Jim Camarillo. Get maps and battle information. Please be prompt.

7:30AM: Line up for weapons/ammo inspection at each unit commander is expected to have the unit safety officer inspect all weapons for operation and safety.

The safety officers will insure no live ammo goes to the field and sign off the soldiers field pass both Saturday and Sunday mornings so check ammo pouches.

8:00 AM: Muster and listen up for battle information, Camp Roberts rules and regulations, explanation of wound cards etc.

9:00 AM: Russians depart for field, MP's will direct you to your combat mustering area.

9:30 AM: Germans depart for field. MP's will direct you to your combat mustering area.

9:45 AM: Combat starts ready or not so hustle your back sides, delays in being ready will replicate being caught with your proverbial pants down. Combatants arriving late will be fair targets once out of POV area, all late arrivals without wound cards will treat first hits as KIA.

SUNDAY: A repeat of Saturday in every way except who goes to field first which will be announced at muster.