WWII Reenacting Discussion Thread

[Herr Doktor]

MK,

A lot of the info comes from research (reading regimental or unit histories, photos, film, etc). The one really nice thing about WWII Living History is the fact that many Veterans are still with us. The ability to talk with them is a great advantage over, say, reenacting Civil War. The American units I belong to both have Vets as "advisors" to help guide us and provide historical background. Not to mention telling us the stories that aren't in the history books.

There are a number of websites available. The links page on www.attthefront.com is pretty good. Most units have links to historical information their impressions are based on.

I hope this answers your questions. If you have any more, please feel free to fire away again.

Best,

Chris

 

[MK]

Thanks Chris!

 

[mmarosy]

Originally posted by Herr Doktor
For those interested in AAF impressions, if you're out this way in June, I suggest attending the Reading (PA) WWII Weekend. Usually the first weekend in June. Lots of planes, and a very good flea market for original equipment. On the unfortunate side, not alot of vintage mens clothes...mainly uniforms.

Chris, this sounds like a good idea for a summit! We've had a few, IndyGear that is, in Gettysburg. I'm sure people would be amenable to one in Reading.

Mike

 

[Herr Doktor]

Originally posted by mmarosy
Chris, this sounds like a good idea for a summit! We've had a few, IndyGear that is, in Gettysburg. I'm sure people would be amenable to one in Reading.

Mike

Mike,

The only drawback to having a summit at the airshow could be the crowds. There are probably over 1000 reenactors alone camped on site. I think they draw something like 20000 spectators a day. (Going from memory...could be way off on the numbers). On the other hand, one nice event that weekend is the hangar dance Saturday night. Live swing band, etc. Pretty fun time.

The dates are June 6-8, 2004. Here's the website for the event. Some 2004 info is posted already:

http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html

Best,

Chris

 

[Sam Cox]

Just an answer to the original question,some friends and i reenact US horse cavalry from WW2 namley 124th Cavalry Regiment(Horse).The 124th was the last regiment to dismount
Later
Sam

 

[The Wingnut]

I was at Reading! It's the WWII reenactor mecca. IF any of you were there, I spent most of Saturday and Sunday morning under the nose of a P-51, dressed in full flight gear.

Evans, whereabouts are you? Ever heard of the BAWMMRS? I'm in San Jose, but I'm moving to Santa Rosa in the next few weeks.

Reenacting doesn't get half the following on the left coast that it does back east, possibly for the reason that everyone is wrapped up in being politically correct here. I wear a uniform to swing dances, air shows, reunions and the like, and get plenty of positive feedback, but I've heard lots of stories of people just not 'getting it'.

Here's a shot of yours truly at last year's Eagle Field reunion:

 

[MK]

That avatar looks great Wingnut. The tie is hidden but looks nice. You should let us see it better. I enjoyed looking at your WWII pics too.

Glad to have you on board.

 

[The Wingnut]

Thanks, MK.

It's actually the print on the tie, it's half gray, which makes it blend into the shirt.

I had fun setting that one up and finishing it out.

 

[Bogie1943]

Wingnut, I agree with MK, wonderful profile pic, I must say fine job my boy. Your pinks and greens are indeed impressive, may I ask as to where you purchased your crusher? What about that fine Thompson your packing there?

 

[Halliburton]

Greetings,
This is my first post here, and I thought this would be the appropriate spot to do it.
I'm in the British 1st Airborne unit of the California Historical Group. We have about 30 members stretched between San Diego, through San Francisco. This is my third year in the group, and I have to say, it's a great hobby to get into. I've found my association with the British group most rewarding. Several mebers of our unit joined me in the desert last month to work an Indiana Jones fan-film. We do public displays at Chino airfield, and Fort MacArthur, among other places. We also have about 9 tactical events a year ranging from N. European "Arnhem" battles at Camp Roberts to "Tunisia" battles near Barstow.

You can check out many CHG units at:
http://www.chgww2.com/

 

[dutch101st]

I too am involved with WWII Living History- I am with the E Co 2/506 PIR 101 AB group in California. Our unit is members of both the CHG and the RPS.

My first post here, thought it would be appropriate as well!

 

[The Bingstress]

It's very cool to see that this thread has been active for so long. I first discovered living history events when ATOMIC Magazine set up shop at the Reading WWII Airshow a couple years back. I spent two days working a vendor table and meeting visitors from all over the country. I was blown away by the dedication and authenticity of the re-enactors, many of whom were portraying soldiers from Allied and Axis forces all around the world. These cats really go to town with their research and collections of vintage military memorabilia! You can view a photo gallery of the 2001 event here:

World War II Memorial Weekend Photo Gallery

I appreciate everyone including links to good resources here on the boards, and invite you to also send information about upcoming events to news@retroradar.com so we can post it on our homepage and calendar and help you get the word out. If you want to save time, you can expidite the process by adding items to the calendar yourself by clicking here:

RetroRadar.com Calendar

Just click on "add event" in the top right, and then choose the "Military History" calendar from the pull-down menu. The rest is self-explanatory. (All posts to the sub-calendars will also appear on the main calendar, as well.)

Finally, for all you reenactors, here's a little something to keep you motivated: The Barracks Wall

Hugs & blessings,
The Bingstress

 

[Swede]

Yeah, I am in the same outfit as Dutch. One of our other members is on here too. This is my first post and so this was a good place to start!

Swede

 

[Andykev]

Bingstress thanks!

Holy Cow Bingstress! You are a gem. You have posted links I have never thought of...and love!

The pin up girls of the 40's are so beautiful, and you DON'T see their T's and A's either. Why? Imagination.

Boys back then had only movies in the Bijou or Radio....books too. So your minds were able to fill in the "blanks". A well dressed lady with a nice shape does more for me that the "in your face" nudies..

Thanks for the links.

 

[JumpinHowie]

Im also with Dutch. And I have to agree about the pin-ups. I'll have to take a picture of my footlocker lid, and show you some real Dames

 

[Bogie1943]

I dunno about the rest you fellas, but after taking a peek at the barracks wall, I am really in the fightin mood, lol. I agree, there is just something about those girls from the 1940's, it's all in the styles, hair, make-up, and clothes. It just seems like the ladies were so much more beautiful in those days. From pin-ups to nose art, the boys really had good taste, lol. I mean, so many of those boys were out there fighting for a beautiful girl back home, carried their pictures with them, waiting for the day when they could be with them again. With girls as pretty as that, that alone is something to fight for. I wish more people these days were ready to lay down their lives to keep the freedoms we have today. To not only preserve that for future generation but to stand up for those who can't, to protect your home and family. Those times were better just for that fact right there, I dunno about you fellas but I am prepaired to give it all to keep this land free and most of all, keep my loved ones safe and free, my grandfather did it in the South Pacific, my great uncle did it in the skies over Europe, and another great uncle did it on the sands of Omaha Beach, and I am ready to carry our flag to wherever she needs me to go.

 

[dutch101st]

Hooah Bogie, Hooah!

 

[missjo]

I have been reenacting for over 4 years now, although its more living history.
I pretend to be a wartime Dutch housewife, timetravel is a great hobby!

Our group;
www.nederland4045.nl

Also check out these movies we made;
http://www.nederland4045.nl/cinema.htm

 

[Hondo]

Misjoeri & The Bingstress, welcome and very nice, me thinks Wildroot will be long and express thanks,
Bingstess, your a real looker, bet your Mum had your looks, Thanks for sharing, Great pictures :cheers1:
Until next time Ladies

 

[hatflick1]

WW II, Take Two

I was fascinated to learn some time back that there are such things as WW II re-enactments. Long before this fact was revealed, I went on a hat hunt for the HBT 'Ranger' cap which author and ex-Marine William Manchester wears on the cover of his book, "Return To Darkness." a must-read for anyone interested in the Pacific Theater. I went to gun show after gun show finally nailing...in my size!... a genuine WW II short bill and long bill HBT (herringbone twill) cap. (HBT HAT is a category on ebay, incidentally). If any reenactor wants to borrow them, they are the real McCoy. Not knock-offs.
Also, as a sidebar to the Good War, are you guys aware of the Ghost Division?
It was made up of a lot of New York theater types and their mission was to be a pretend division complete with phony insignias and inflatiible rubber tanks (whose turrets dropped in the European morning dew) to deceive the Germans while a real division made a flanking movement. I wonder if anyone reeancts that?