The only re enactment that appealed to me was the English Civil War (artillery) I must add the black powder and matches appealed to me the most(back then I think you could order it and store it in your garage if you had a licence) Needless to say nothing came of it. On a serous note (actually the above was serious) we have a few members on here who do it well and respectfully. I think we have mentioned before the folk who try and fail whether it be ego or just not enough historical information to carry it off.You will always get the good and bad and you need to apply the filter accordingly.
I 'dressed up' for the first time in Normandy this year (after first getting the 'OK' from Dad who was there in June 1944). Having decided to take part in the procession of British vehicles in Bayeux on Sunday, I felt that I ought to do my best not to fall into the Dennison / unshorn and unshaven trap and a motorcyclist can't hide inside his vehicle. Although it wasn't on most people's minds, I paid my own personal tribute to the men who were trying to get out of France four years earlier. "Comment est-ce que je vais à Cherbourg ?" Excuses for the grubby Youtube screen shot. I found all the clapping and cheering more than a little unnerving. It seemed to be the crowds who thought they were really there. I was simply riding an old motorcycle which is what I do for fun. It was a historical pagent rather than an attempt to re-enact.
I shall henceforth refer to you as 'Rich the Reenactor', hope that's OK This is fun: https://medium.com/@warisboring/2afcb68ed4c2 Given my own experience in the field, few things more unnerving than a reenactor gaining actual military power and responsibility.
Over the last 25 years or so I have been to many reunions at old airfields, also memorial dedications at WW2 aircraft crash-sites and former WW2 airfields. There has usually been a few, sometimes a lot of reenactors which in my opinion is very fitting. The only time I wasn't too keen, was at the sight of a 6ft plus, chap dressed as a German soldier of some discription. But then I suppose you need a good mixture.
Re-enactors come the 30th Infantry Division Reunion (among others) and provide a good visualization of what the soldiers looked like. They seem to take great pride in getting the details right and the old soldiers seem to appreciate the re-enactors' participation. In addition to providing clothing and gear for us to look at, they also bring weapons of all variety. This last trip they brought Garands, carbines, a BAR, a grease gun (first I have ever held), a Thompson, mines, grenades, etc. The rifles and BAR were capable of being fired, but the grease gun and Thompson had been rendered non-firing. Here is one re-enactor that who does an excellent rendition of Omar Bradley. He said he tends to get calls for Bradley more, now that he is well into his 60s. It is hard for him to pass as PFC anymore.
Cheers Tom. Not sorted to your standards of course but slowly getting there (and increasingly aware of what needs attention). I was hoping to get hold of some better photos before PM ing you. (Tom gave some much neeeded advice and moral support at a point where I was seriously struggling.)
Looking back over this thread, it's a bit sad to see the number of neg reps given to people who don't get reenacting, but who have nevertheless taken the line 'whatever floats your boat'. While I take the line that everyone is entitled to use the rep system as they see fit, it's IMO counter-productive and perhaps censorious if garnering honest opinions was really why this thread was initiated.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2873570/Battle-Bulge-70-years-Hundreds-recreate-one-U-S-Army-s-bloodiest-encounters-Nazi-forces.html Some excellent photos.
Deacs, I have to agree with you about some excellent photographs and pretty authentic Equipment on both sides. Just one mistake calling the German Panther Tank a Jagd Panther. Regards Tom
I don't do this very often... or at all, but I've had a few and it's feeling mildly Christmas-y, so... one of these weirdos is me. That's part of my take on reenacting... don't take it too seriously. Stop when you're bored. Maybe consider doing it some more if it starts getting interesting again. This picture may self-destruct....
All very English, Ron. Our armed forces of the period were not the most professional... Though, Cervantes was an interesting man. Fought as a marine at Lepanto, provisioner for the Armada & excommunicated several times, plus a not bad book or two,
Adam, Are you the guy having a pee in the bushes at the back? Just make you out by the shiny forehead.I think that's your forehead! :biggrin: Or are you the guy that is thinking he has just invented radar or an early warning devise by fitting big dishes on the side of your head? Nick