Re-enacting good or bad?

Wasn't there a BBC Documentary (Panarama) a few years back that visited the War and Peace show (The one in Kent-Paddock Wood) and uncovered a lot of Nazi/SS sympathisers there. I think they were members of Combat 18 and the like

The programme was called 'Weekend Nazi's' shown back in 2007.

Re-enacting battles from World War Two is a popular summer pastime in the UK, but although we won the war it's the Germans that most people want to portray and the 'SS' who are the most popular of all. John Sweeney tours the biggest event of its type in Kent and discovers a darker side to the fun, with a convicted holocaust denier signing books, a trader selling a relic from Belsen and some Nazi enthusiasts expressing extreme racist views.


BBC - BBC One Programmes - Weekend 'Nazis'

 

Wasn't there a BBC Documentary (Panarama) a few years back that visited the War and Peace show (The one in Kent-Paddock Wood) and uncovered a lot of Nazi/SS sympathisers there. I think they were members of Combat 18 and the like

That was the program I was talking about, and it was complete bollocks. Pardon my French.

 

Some journalists just seek sensationalism to get headlines and perhaps further their career.

But as Adam has stated, when you distort the facts to fit your own personal views, it becomes a double edged sword.

Some people may be persuaded by the reporting and those that know better will never read or watch a programme by that journalist again.

Regards
Tom

 

I went to a WWII re-enactment weekend at Tutbury Castle recently where there was a mock battle being played out. I missed the beginning of it so I don't know what was said to the spectators but I found it quite disturbing to watch men in uniform "dying" while the audience rolled around laughing.

I am not aginast using re-enactments as a means of education but not as a means of entertainment - we have the movies for that.

I would be interested to know your thoughts on the subject. Are re-enactments meant to be entertainment or educational? Or does it depend on the audience's perception?

 

I have seen one re enactment at a 40's weekend at Pickering , the whole village is transformed into the wartime era complete with steam trains, shop frontage's,tape on windows , the food, music, military personnel and vehicles etc etc . At the showground they have 2 re enactments during the day portraying the Eastern Front and Western Front , it was very professionally done complete with informative narration, costume , vehicles, mock buildings and pyrotechnics. At no point did I see the spectators rolling around laughing in fact people were actually fascinated by the proceedings .

Yes I must admit I think the minority of "SS" do get a kick out of the black uniform and the power IT did have , but I also think re enactment groups act out battle scenes, so a very important part of our history and the suffering the British and Occupied Europe endured during wartime is not forgotten, and personally I think it is a very good way of teaching children the history of WWII , as my 2 kids never stopped asking questions , as their Grandfather fought across Europe and their Grandmother who is Italian had a very rough time in the hands of the "SS" .

Done properly yes a very good educational tool , done poorly then yes its a mockery in memory of those that did suffer .

Also I would just like to add, some people who own military vehicles dress in period costume to portray the period correctly and do not re enact , I own such a vehicle and have just returned from the 65th D Day Anniversary in France .Our uniforms depict my fathers old Regiment , The South Lancs,( to keep its memory alive). It stirred alot of interest, we were approached by the BBC and used as a backdrop ,veterens sat in the vehicle for the interviews , we were then photographed by the press , visitors etc, I think we were photographed more times than the Beckhams , and the questions asked in relation to the Regiment and its involvement all because of the uniforms and vehicle .

The very few surviving South Lancs Lads left who are all well into there 80's, thinks its fantastic, as its a living memory to the Regiment, and to those that were lost during WWII and for those that survived.

 

The very few surviving South Lancs Lads left who are all well into there 80's, thinks its fantastic, as its a living memory to the Regiment, and to those that were lost during WWII and for those that survived.

You should be proud of yourself for that reason alone. Giving some happiness to those fellows who in reality deserve so much more from us is a great thing.

 

Hey guys I'm tryingto get involved in Reenacting!

Contacted a couple of groups who are involved in British Paratrooper reenacting and I am fascinated by it all!

Will keep you all updated!

 

If Swiper is arround he does Middlesex regiment (I think).

I looked into BEF Gordons Highlanders, but the kit is so expensive. I can recomend some good books for uniform details etc.

Some of the WWII folk I have met are a bit "up themselves" shall we say, but best wishes and hope it goes well for you

 

Just be careful, there may be a link between re-enacting and obesity.

 

real re-enactors use live ammunition

 

Not only Re enactors.
See this thread.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/prisoners-war/13744-did-any-pows-get-released-early-2.html#post154850

Post No 13
You will notice a large RMP Sgt.

Regards
Tom

 

Just be careful, there may be a link between re-enacting and obesity.

Walts mostly affected, so no worries

 

Whatever you do, make sure you join a group first before going out and buying kit, rather than spend a load on what you may think is fine but later find out to be rubbish

 

Hey guys I'm tryingto get involved in Reenacting!

Contacted a couple of groups who are involved in British Paratrooper reenacting and I am fascinated by it all!

Will keep you all updated!

Here are a few ideas:

WWII uniforms, equipment and gear

Tom.

 

It always seems to be that WW2 was mainly carried out by:

1) SS
2) US paratroopers
3) A few Arnhem era British paratroopers

Obviously according to the reenactment groups that I have seen, I also saw a Lady of a 5 ft in height dressed in a complete Arnhem para out fit.

Women took part in many heroic roles, why portray a complete untruth?

generally tho I quite like the displays

 

Done properly yes a very good educational tool , done poorly then yes its a mockery in memory of those that did suffer.
To me this is the key.

 

A few years ago I visited the Chatsworth country show in Derbyshire, There was a British Army Re-enactment group which was fairly good, However there was an excellent German Re-enactment group who where made to display away from the main show area, I got talking to some of the Re-enators who told me tht thay could not and would not dress in SS uniform while at the show, This ban was enforced onto them by the show organisors to prevent any hostilities towards the group.

 

I've been a re-enactor for over 16 years, mainly Viking and Tudor. I've not done WW2. We always tried to portray our clothes and kit as accurately as possible, but you will always get what we called 'Jumblies', those that are creating fantasy costume and characters.

A few years ago I went to an event held on the Watercress Line where several stations on the line were transported back time in to WW2, with tape on the glass to protect from bomb damage etc. There were costumed re-enactors from all walks of life, from the Forces, to field hospitals, ARP, MP and the general public. Visitors even had to purchase 'ID cards' for travel on the trains or risk being 'arrested' for not carrying their ID.

Although I can't attest to the accuracy of the uniforms as I know little about what regiments had what, I can say that they all took it very seriously and everyone, uniformed and public were all very immaculately dressed and had taken the trouble to 'do it right'. It was pointed out to me that they have to be careful with accuracy as of course there are still vets & their families who are still alive, and might be offended if they got things wrong. so overall I would say it is a good thing.

I meet a very interesting chap there called John Leete who had 2 personna, one someone high up in the army and an officer in the RAF, depending on what they were portraying. he's a very interesting chap and works as a jounralist and has access to the BBC archives.