SS reenactment

Fuck, you're right. I never really thought that Veterans would really be on a website like this....
If it was just History people arguing then that's one thing.
Well i'll just shut my mouth then :|

 

Hellofawaytodie,
I am afraid some of your earlier posts did not enamour you to many of our members.
I have nothing against reenactors, at one time I did fancy joining a group but my preferred unit would have been a British one (after all I am British) and due to my physique I would have possibly been a slightly more authentic candidate than some I have seen.
Whilst I understand the interest in German units (and the respect for their military capability in WW2) I find the SS fascination slightly distasteful.
At the tender age of 17 I am glad you have chosen to join WW2Talk and, I hope it is for the best of reasons. If I could give a word of advice I would think carefully before joining a German reenactors group - especially SS - as it can cause offence to some and create entirely the wrong impression in some circumstances.
For anyone interested last year's MVT show at Damyn's Hall, Essex was excellent, many reenactors, AFVs, stalls and aircraft incl BBMF, Sally B etc. It is on again this year, next month in fact and I will certainly be there.

 

Bumped into someone in a pub (Another cutting edge recruiting tool.) Now how does that work when i'm 17 ?

There's the crux of the problem, young man. You should be spending more time down the pub and less time 'effing and blinding on the internet. Being 'only 17' has never stopped an enterprising youth from obtaining ale (nor being 'only 15', come to that), even if it did usually mean bribing old men of 20 to bring an extra half outside.

 

There's the crux of the problem, young man. You should be spending more time down the pub and less time 'effing and blinding on the internet. Being 'only 17' has never stopped an enterprising youth from obtaining ale (nor being 'only 15', come to that), even if it did usually mean bribing old men of 20 to bring an extra half outside.

You would be surprised how difficult it is nowadays Rich. The authorities are hot on under-age drinking, even (somewhat immorally) sending youngsters into pubs and off-licences to try and buy beer in order to catch the licensee out. It almost smacks of a kind of SS ethos. Bar staff will challenge you to prove you are over 18 if they think you look under 25 years old. That's how scared the breweries are of being caught out.

Anyway, back on topic. I don't see a problem in portraying an SS unit for re-enactment purposes as long as it is for authenticity purposes rather than glorification of their deeds and ethos. The kid "kind of" has a point where militarily the SS tactics, weaponry, battlefield courage, dedication, tenacity (a product of indoctrinated fanaticism) and above all Leadership were something to be admired, but then again this was probably the same in almost ALL branches of the German armed forces, only without the indoctrinated fanaticism which gave the SS that extra edge and contributed to the resulting tendency to commit atrocities.

On the other hand, I hope he is not banking on a career in diplomacy .

 

Points well made Botty

 

The only real reason i was even thinking about the SS was just because it was another group. In a way, i had this idea that i could portray every type of army during the era, from the germans to americans to the russians. The SS was really just like an "extra" to add on. I was even thinkind because of the massive eveil attached to it, i could turn the SS reenactment into a good thing. Like, i would do some kind of dunk and toss with me being the steryotyipical german on the seat and people paying to throw balls at the target, and the money would have gone to a charity of some kind.
But if the general view is negative, and if veterans wont even bother coming near you then there's no point in it. If i can't talk to veterans or people that know what actually happened i'm just a guy in a field in a dress up outfit.

 

Hellofaway,
If you really want to meet British veterans you would stand a much better chance by choosing a British unit for reenactment.
Obviously armoured units like Ron's or Artillery are a bit difficult unless you happen to have a tank or a big gun handy but you could try any County Regiment or the Signals or REME. Airborne units are particularly popular (and you don't need a parachute).

 

Hellofawaytodie

here is one veteran who will give you some advice....cut the bad language right now not only on the web but all day long -at 17 you have bit of growing up to do - get on with it - and don't act as if you are bigger than you are - you are not and we veterans had ways of knocking that out of many people - including the enemy- you might find as we did out in Italy that the 1st German Para Division was full of "big" men and they made life very difficult at times for us - BUT - it was little guys who finally tamed them.

So... before you go swanking about - in any uniform -think of what some Britons - Canadians and Americans - not much older than yourself - are going through in Afghanistan right now - then google for an old friend of mine's article on his - Stan Scislowski's "Return to Cassino" as this might put your nonsense into perspective - and really see how many other young men died and get on with a life entirely different than the one we had when we had just left school and University was postponed for a few years.....THEN come back on the forum all grown up and ready to stand alongside many who have been through the mill in various campaigns since your SS was finally destroyed in WW2 as I note you still write in - bad English - you could use some work of that as the English Language is a great vehicle to express your ideas in good taste.
Cheers

 

That's made it as clear as possible. No more illusions

 

Hope that doesn't put you off us mate, points have been made for the best of reasons. Take a day out if you like, think about things and come back.
Ask some questions and you will get answers from the forum members.
And very well informed answers you will get.
I hope that you can learn from this forum, and hopefully pass your knowledge on to friends.
War is not glorious, it is the worst abomination devised by Man.
Occasionally it is deemed necessary but the price to some is pure agony.

 

Hellofawaytodie,

Deserved or not, I think you've taken enough of a battering for one day and you are clearly bright enough to reconsider your opinion when faced with new information. Some people never acquire that skill.
Truth be known, many of us probably had similar outlooks at your age. With the passage of time, acquired knowledge and the guidance of many veterans, we have come to a different understanding of what war is and isn't. It remains a fascinating topic to the many who grace this forum so you can look forward to years of satisfying engagement with it (at least until you get married!!). Enjoy.

Mike L has given some good advice and my personal recommendations is to read some veteran accounts. Those who were there and lived it provide the most compelling and visceral reading.

 

Having been into WW2 re-enacting for the last 6 years or so (British and American) I can honestly say that I have never met a 'german' re-enactor that wasnt friendly, approachable, knowledgable and more importantly willing to educate others on the ins and outs of the German army. This includes those at the war and peace show at Beltring that were subject to that horrificly one sided channel 4 'documentary'. This also includes SS re-enactors.

I do however fail to understand anyone who will willingly dresses as SS, simply because of what it means to many people. For re-enacting and living history it's important that you tell both sides. However I do think you can tell both sides without SS present. I don't really 'get it'.



Off topic, but Mike, are you going to Damyns Hall again this year? I missed it last year because I was in the states, but am planning to go this year. Perhaps we could meet up for pint?

 

Yes, I will be there Chris, with Hornchurch Drum and Trumpet Corps both days. Look forward to meeting you!

 

I am at a complete loss to understand why anyone would glorify a unit responsible for milions of deaths and war crimes.

Marc

 

Perhaps marginally on topic, I've been reading "Moral Combat : Good and Evil in World War II" by Michael Burleigh, here's a link to a review. Moral Combat - The Barnes & Noble Review

Anyway, I'd recommend it if your interested in comparisons of German, Russian, Japanese and Allied actions, good and evil (mostly evil) during WW2. It's also pretty good at illuminating the actions and words of some of those Germans who were "rehabilitated" after the war and idolized by some people. Germans like Manstein who although an army officer was pretty dirty but somehow managed to conceal his complicity in the mass murders that took place in the East, especially in his own memoir.

I think that anyone who puts on a SS uniform will at some point in time find themselves defending their actions and probably end up defending the SS too, something nobody in their right mind should do.

 

Hellofawaytodie

here is one veteran who will give you some advice....cut the bad language right now not only on the web but all day long -at 17 you have bit of growing up to do - get on with it - and don't act as if you are bigger than you are - you are not and we veterans had ways of knocking that out of many people - including the enemy- you might find as we did out in Italy that the 1st German Para Division was full of "big" men and they made life very difficult at times for us - BUT - it was little guys who finally tamed them.

So... before you go swanking about - in any uniform -think of what some Britons - Canadians and Americans - not much older than yourself - are going through in Afghanistan right now - then google for an old friend of mine's article on his - Stan Scislowski's "Return to Cassino" as this might put your nonsense into perspective - and really see how many other young men died and get on with a life entirely different than the one we had when we had just left school and University was postponed for a few years.....THEN come back on the forum all grown up and ready to stand alongside many who have been through the mill in various campaigns since your SS was finally destroyed in WW2 as I note you still write in - bad English - you could use some work of that as the English Language is a great vehicle to express your ideas in good taste.
Cheers

Well said Tom. I don't think there is a need for that kind of language on here or anywhere else.

Lesley

 

Just a thought Diane-how old does one have to be to join the forum?