ASSAULT ON FORT AHLMAN
By Larry “Sage” Strack
Edited by Don “Badger” Grubish
The Minnesota Militia Paintball
Team laid down the gauntlet, with a challenge to meet the Farm Land
Paintball Club on the field of honor. Both sides bragged player
numbers in the 40’s and 50’s. The Militia simply stated, “Bring
whomever and whatever you have and do what you need to assault the
fort.” The Farm Land Paintball Club picked up the gauntlet and
enthusiastically accepted the challenge. What amassed was the
largest assembly of tanks, men, and equipment in Morristown’s history.
It was the classic battle of territory, North vs. South. What more
fitting place for it to be fought than around a Civil War fort.
Commander Ahlman built the fort to re-enact Civil War battles and never
envisioned it becoming the site of a great paintball battle.
The MN Militia
and Farm Land Paintball Club had fought together and as adversaries in
the past on various fields. On October 12th, a crisp
Fall morning, they met at the gates of Fort Ahlman. The MN Militia
had amassed their largest group ever and was set to defend the fort on
their own territory. The Farm Landers gathered less than
half of it’s membership with tremendous firepower, weaponry, specially
equipped with Battle Wagons and tactics to usurp the Militia’s hold on
the fort. The final player total was 146
(55 MN Militia against 91 Farm Land members).
After tours of the area to familiarize players with the playing field,
the Militia took up it’s place in Fort Ahlman. The game time was
set to one hour and the battle horn sounded. As the battle ensued,
and the Farm Landers tactics were established it became obvious why these forts had been
the mainstay of our countries land defense. It’s high walls and
formidable gun ports proved to be much more of a challenge than earlier
thought. The Militia surprised the Farm Landers with a tank that
established a choke point near the front entrance of the fort. In
addition, the Militia also poured out of the woods with a surprise
assault force to help dwindle the northern Farm Lander threat before
being taken out themselves. The Farm Landers in turn surprised the
Militia with battle shields to quickly neutralize the tanks.
Despite the great difference in player numbers, the Farm Land Paintball
club was unable to breech the walls of the fort. A brilliant
effort was made and in the final minutes their tank and a few good
players, led by Farm Lander XO Mikey, were literally touching the
gate entrance. They were held off by 5 or so hard fighting Militia
to maintain their superiority on the field of battle.
The next battle
had the Farm Landers holding the fort while the Militia tried valiantly
to take it. Because of the offset in numbers, to the favor of the
Farm Landers, they had decided not to wait for the first charge but
rather to do a fast, furious pre-emptive strike on the Militia.
While the Militia fought bravely and with honor, they were just not
prepared for the hoard that was before them. Crazy J (Farm Lander)
actually took on a large number of Militia by walking up an open field
with his marker blazing. His marker was in full auto mode, spent
paint pods were flying and many a good Militia member was caught in his
fire. When finished with his charge, he simply walked back to the
fort, unmarked, to reload. The Militia never really had the chance
to attack the fort.
In final
analysis, it was a draw. None of the teams were able to breach the
walls and take the fort from the other. There were no winners or
losers. No lives were lost, all had fun and battle stories
shall be told for years. Friendships were formed and respect was
earned. And, best of all, two fine clubs with excellent players
finally got together to play with honor and integrity.
Special
thanks to Ahlman’s Gun Shop for hosting this event, Splat Tag, Inc. for
providing CO2, HPA, paint and supplies and finally to Alamo Paintball
for filling in all the other things needed. Without
these fine people and organizations, none of this could have happened.
We look forward to playing again. Whether it be on the same team at a
tournament or against each other, we know that we have new friends and
paintball will only become more exciting. I dare any other team to try
and take both of us on at the same time. With the combined talent and
equipment, we’re unstoppable.
By Larry “Sage” Strack and Don “Badger” Grubish
MNpig.com - Oct. 28, 2003
To see photos from the ASSAULT ON FORT
Click Here
To lean more about the
Minnesota Militia Paintball Team log on
to
Web Site
And for the Farm Land Paintball Club log on to
Web Site
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