Rules of World War II Axis Re enactment Society

Membership Criteria, Obligations and Requirements

1. CRITERIA

1.1 Applicants and members must be over 20 at the time of joining. This is for insurance purposes.

1.2 Applicants and members must be physically fit and mentally sound.

1.3 Applicants and members must not hold or voice any extreme political views or opinions. Anyone doing so will be liable to immediate expulsion.

1.4 Applicants and members must have a genuine interest in the history of the Second World War. (In particular the non political aspects of the Axis fighting soldier).

1.5 Applicants and members must be of good character generally.

2. OBLIGATIONS

2.1 To obtain and maintain the uniform and equipment standards.

2.2 To constantly work to improve one's collection and knowledge of the subject.

2.3 To work with other members of W.A.R.S. to improve and refine the unit portrayal.

2.4 To represent W.A.R.S. through your conduct in a positive way at all times.

2.5 Members are obliged to inform group leader, about their availability for all events. If one of the group leaders is not available, the Event Organiser is the secondary point of contact.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Society membership runs from 1 January to 31 December. You must have your subscription paid in full by the last day of February at the start of a new year.

3.2 Members must furnish the Secretary with their full current address and contact details. It is the member's responsibility to keep the Secretary updated with your current details.

GENERAL SOCIETY RULES

Weapons Safety and Pyrotechnics

2.1 No firearms, is to be carried outside of the Societies designated static display area. Unless en-route to a battle area or the weapon is being used as part of an interactive public display, this also includes edged weapons (see rule 2.6).

2.2 Weapons must not be directly discharged at a person within a radius of 20 feet of the firer.

2.3 No weapon is to be loaded until given permission by the Units Commander or Senior NCO.

2.4 Weapon safety catches must be applied to the safe position and the weapon made safe. Unless given permission to fire by the Unit Commander, or his representative.

2.5 You must never point a weapon at any time at a member of the public or any other person, even in jest.

2.6 Bayonets are never to be fitted to rifles during re-enactments or in the presence of the public. Bayonets will only be fitted to rifles as part of a public display in a controlled area, after receiving permission from the unit commander or his representative.

2.7 No weapons are to be handled by the public, you may show the weapon and explain its use . But the public are never to handle the weapon directly.

2.8 Never let blank ammunition or pyrotechnics be handled by any member of the public. Or anyone who has not been trained in their use.

2.9 Never carry a loaded weapon in transit to and from home and events. (see rule 2.17)

2.10 You must never discharge a weapon except in a designated area, without permission. This would be defined as an area set aside for the re enactment or designated safety point.

2.11 Never leave a weapon unattended, make sure it is with you or under safe keeping at all times.

2.12 Never accept a weapon from anybody unless they have shown that the weapon is safe. And in an unloaded condition.

2.13 Under no circumstances must live rounds be brought to any re-enactment event, public or private. Live rounds must be kept away from re enactment events.

2.14 Never use any blank ammunition or use pyrotechnics in a confined space.

2.15 All pyrotechnics must be cleared by the Pyrotechnics/Safety Officer. This must be done first before they may be used in any re enactment. Home made pyrotechnics must never be used.

2.16 The word “GRENADE” must be called in warning to others before releasing a pyrotechnic.

2.17 When not in use all firearms must be stored in a secure place. Within the Home Office and Police Regulations.

2.18 No pyrotechnics or blank ammunition should be carried in pockets while in a static display.

2.19 Always make others aware that you are testing a firearm by calling out “TEST FIRE”

2.20 Do not fire your weapon within 20 foot of the public crowd line (see 2.2 above)

2.21 Hand thrown pyrotechnics are NOT to be used at public events.

2.22 When firing your weapon, have consideration for other re enactors and the public around you. Have regard for the venting and case ejection of your weapon. Do not fire your weapon directly at a person who is less than 20 feet away, aim into the ground, or a safe area.

2.23 You will NOT be allowed to participate in any battle re-enactment unless you have attended, the annual weapons cadre, you must successfully complete this and qualify, each year.

UNIFORMS and APPEARANCE

3.1 Trade badges, awards, decorations and insignia of rank are only to be worn, when sanctioned and awarded by the Unit Commander.

3.2 All belts, buckles, webbing and carrying equipment must be complete and in good repair.

3.3 Any ancillary equipment, must be approved by the Unit Commander before use.

3.4 No modern jewellery, watches, facial piercing or earrings are to be worn at any W.A.R.S. event. With the exception of a wedding ring.

3.5 All uniforms and equipment are to be either original or museum quality reproduction item.

3.6 Hair must resemble WWII military styles of the day and all males must be clean shaven.

3.7 Brightly coloured tee shirts and vests must not be seen when worn under uniforms.

3.8 You are responsible for your own uniform and equipment. If you are short of an item, please contact the Unit Commander 14 days before an event.

DISCIPLINE and BEHAVIOUR

4.1 At public events, members of the public are to be treated with the utmost respect. This is especially true of veterans, remember they were there. Do not enter into arguments or disputes, be polite make your excuses and walk away.

4.2 Never use bad language in front of or at any member of the public. You will give the society a bad name and harm our reputation, you will also be automatically expelled from the society.

4.3 All reasonable orders given by an NCO or Officer must be carried out without complaint.

4.4 Members of the media should be treated in a polite manner, if they require a statement. Direct them to the Society’s Press Officer or the Unit Commander. No Statement is to be given by a W.A.R.S. member, without it first being cleared by the Press Officer.

4.5 Never consume alcohol during the public opening hours of an event or before a battle. Anybody found under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed to take any further part.

4.6 Any person found using illicit substances will immediately be dismissed from the Society.

4.7 Every member must have their membership fully paid, before they can take part in any event.

4.8 Every member is to be competent in the handling and safety of the weapon they are using.

4.9 All weapons will be checked before and after a battle by the Unit Safety Officer or a senior NCO.

4.10 No weapons is to be loaded with blank ammunition in front of the Public in a static display. Only inert ammunition must be used for demonstration purposes.

4.11 Any member demonstrating to the public an item of equipment, must not become distracted. They will keep the item of equipment under direct supervision at all times.

4.12 A minimum of 2 members must always be present within a W.A.R.S. static display at any time.

4.13 Any member of the public expressing a wish to join the Society must be, introduced to the CO. If he is unavailable refer them to another NCO.

4.14 Any member found misusing a weapon where it will cause damage or injury, will be severely disciplined.

4.15 No modern articles must be on show at any W.A.R.S. event. Examples being, modern radios, burger cartons, cans of pop, sleeping bags, etc.

4.16 Members of the public are not to be allowed inside a roped static display. Without first gaining the permission of an official of W.A.R.S.

4.17 A member observing, the Public straying into an active Battlefield must call out “CEASE FIRE” This must then be passed to all in your vicinity, this applies to all events Public or Private.

4.18 Any member injured during a battle must themselves or via another member, stop the battle. By calling “MAN DOWN, CEASE FIRE' or by blowing a whistle three times.

4.19 Any member showing inappropriate conduct will be asked to leave the event.

4.20 No member, dressed in normal civilian clothing, is allowed to be in the display area, during the public opening hours of the event.

4.21 No member is allowed to drink from modern drink containers. Drinks can only be consumed from a period cup/mug while on static display.

4.22 No member is to leave a battle site without following the correct weapons safety procedure.

4.23 All members must make sure that the W.A.R.S. display area at the end of an event is cleaned. This must be done before departing the event.

These rules are subject to change, revision and additional rules, as seen fit and proper by WARS.

Click here to view Society Constitution