IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING A THEFT

The WW11 re enactment group FELDGENDARMERIE 39/45, who portray German Military Police and attached other units, at most major shows, have had their Ford Transit van N374 BOM sign written on side "Tugwell Heating" containing most of their display equipment, stolen from London Road Essex on or about Thursday 1st October. Many items were original war time dated German kit including a horse saddle with saddle bags, a large wicker basket, 3 large oil drums, the type used for refuelling Panzers and Jerry Cans etcetera. Repro items included two road 'Stop' barriers, tables & chairs, a field grey transceiver, ropes boxes and much other display paraphernalia. Anyone with any information about our van and its contents please call Feldgendarmerie 39/45's adjutant (John Bush ) on 01277 203114 or Essex police

Risk assessment Process

To date over 600 Risk Assessments have been made for 31 Shows in 2009. The insurance runs from June to May so many of those were on last year's policy which means we have loads left for the first part of 2010. What it DOES mean however is that the system is WORKING! AFRA has ensured that people are covered by a valid risk assessment for a notified event each and every time they go out to re-enact. Now not everyone is taking advantage of the facility and this is why we want to make you all aware. It IS there - it DOES work - It's your CHOICE to use it or not. Experts have looked at this system and gone away impressed. A prominent Specialist Insurance Underwriter in fact sought us out at Beltring and asked questions regarding it. He too was impressed and we may be speaking to him in the near future. One of our primary aims was to provide bona fide re-enactors and Living Historians with valid TPPLI - We are doing that. More importantly the proof of insurance is at your fingertips. All you the member has to do is take time out to carry out the online process.

The Victory Show Sept 5-6 2009

The Victory Show is upon us again! Despite last year's wash out and the loss of over £26,000 the brave boys at Cosby are once again putting on the Midland Spectacular. This year the AFRA team are providing the main event and choreographing the battle display each day. Our team have just completed a final site visit to plan the display and incorporate the required elements. 2009 is particularly special as the Vulcan Bomber will give a display culminating in a recreation of the bomb run on Port Stanley which was the only time a Vulcan was used operationally. TLSFx will recreate 21 1,000lb bombs being dropped from 300ft with the plane travelling at 500knots. This is a first and probably a last! Alongside this we are putting on the biggest WWII battle yet with over 10 German armoured vehicles including a replica PzIII and 5 replica 222 armoured cars as well as troop carriers and other historic vehicles in convoy. An astounding battery of EIGHT - yes EIGHT 25lber guns will be in operation manned by the most Excellent Garrison Living History Group. Two Shermans and a Chaffee will provide Allied Firepower and the South Wales Borderers will have their Bren Carrier on the field. Add to this American halftracks and a host of jeeps, kubels and motorcycles this promises to be a busy extravaganza. Large Living History Displays are the hallmark of this show and this year a record number of AFRA groups will be displaying. There is a thriving militaria market to browse and a wonderful selection of WWII aircraft flying in, out and over this gem in the WWII calendar. Clear your diary and be sure to get to Cosby in Leicestershire for the best event of 2009! and of course - AFRA will be there - doing what we do - supporting the show and supporting the re-enactors.

War and Peace Show July 22-26 2009

With over 130 AFRA members booked into this year's War and Peace Show you can be sure of bumping into a "red card" holder at some point! Most of the Executive will be there if you want a chat although we will be keeping our usual low profile. PD will be on site from the 17th as part of the Living History Field Marshalling Team. Karl, Rich and Emma will be down at the weekend and Stig should join them for at least a couple of show days. Whatever the weather, War and Peace remains the central fixture in most people's calendar and is always a spectacular event. We hope to see you and if not busy, are always happy to chat. Of couse memberships can not be processed over this period so if yours is in the pipeline, please be patient. Thanks to all - See you soon!