Hi All, I re-enact English Civil War and I have a few problems about that to be honest, so modern day Gulf War style blokes are pretty wrong from my point of view. I was at the Detling show a few years ago and they had the Vietnam re-enactor group. At first I didnt want to know about it but then it turned out to be a bunch of 40-50 year olds who just wanted to sit around in a mock Huey, smoke dope and listen to Jimi Hendricks. Harmless in its self but still.... In the evenings the organisers lay on a big beer tent and dance where everyone gets together and mingles. One thing that did shock me was that a whole bunch of Combat 18 activists got togged up in SS uniforms and started Nazi saluting. What saved it for me was that a few Wermacht re-enators (not sure, they might have been German - they certainly spoke to the faux SS in German) took them outside "for a beer" and beat the living daylights out of them before they were "assisted" from the showground.
Sorry guys but I can't see anything wrong with 40 yr old blokes dressing up as modern day soldiers. As long as it is somewhere like war & peace where people get dressed up for fun and re-enact. Especially if they're collecting for the cause. So what if the real soldiers are out there fighting for their country? These guys are collecting to help towards care for when the injured return home. Good on them!! As for the SS. I've said it before, it's only fun. You probably get the oddballs who get a power trip from it, and yeah, I'd like to 'invite' them outside for a 'beer' too, but for the rest, it's just harmless fun. IMO!!!
I can understand some people staying "in period" as WW2 guys especially if involved with WW2 equipment such as jeeps, tanks aircraft rebuilds etc. I'm relaxed about youngsters taking on WW1 or WW2 stuff or English/American Civil War etc re-enactments. I used to be in a Pipe Band and can certainly relate that marching and playing at Remembrance and Commemorations really did help the veterans straighten and march with pride. Having been in full Highland dress, it's not what I would have said was a comfortable uniform but necessary in order to do the occasion proper justice. For someone to dress up in modern combats and swagger about, that's unnecessary in my opinion as it seems to bear no relationship to events. Would they stand in Wootton Bassett High Street dressed that way? Probably only the once before arriving at the nearest A&E Dept!!
The SS guys werent re-enactors staying in period. Even if they were, I dont think nazi salutes are acceptable unless part of a demonstration or re-enactment. I think there is a part of the Wermacht re-enactor group that do portray the SS but I believe it is there policy not to do the HitlerGruss when not on the field. If there are any WW2 re-enactors on the forum it would be interesting to hear their comment on this. Anyway, these guys were - it turns out - part of a white supremicist group that make the BNP look like liberals. We have a few in the Knot who try to stir up trouble but they obviously gravitate more towards the era of their "leader".
