I've developed an interest in WW2 re-enactment groups recently, spurred in part by a video I discovered on You Tube of 101st American Airborne re-enactors. I was hugely impressed with their faithful recreation of uniforms, weapons, and vehicles of the period, many of which I'm guessing are originals. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of such groups reasonably local to East or West Sussex, and how one goes about joining such a group? Thanks
I believe that in order to qualify to join a re-enactment group you have to be single (preferably never had a girlfriend) and still live with your mother.
Maybe Google search - ww2 reenactment groups in sussex - https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=ww2+reenactment+groups+in+sussex TD
Adam, perhaps have a word with [member='Combover']. His group always looks to be at the cutting edge of WW2 stuff as far as I can tell. I don't think he's based in your area, but some groups are spread nationwide, & If they're not recruiting I'd guess he'd know others to try. [sharedmedia=gallery:albums:56] I've not spotted him about for a few weeks though. Maybe try their website: Fire 1944 You'll find many reenactment groups, whatever period, are pretty keen on new members.
http://www.allthequeensmen.co.uk/ If not try these good people. I know they are looking for new members for the next season.
I agree with SMDarby....although you also need to be middle aged with grey hair and a portly belly so you can look as unconvincing as possible! Only joking....although most re-enactors aren't young fit 20 year olds like they would've been in real life. Go for it, you never know, you might even get the chance to appear as an extra in a war movie! Apparantly there were a lot of re-enactors used as extras in Band of Brothers and SPR.
Hi Adam this post may be a little late as a newbie I just came across it whilst browsing through various topics in reply to SMderby I suppose he would rather sit in front of his TV and play video games Don't know if you have joined a re enactment group yet it depends a lot on what your interested in my wife and I ( yes Derby reenact ore do actually marry ) belong to two groups Volkssturm V-3 and an American Civil War group SOSKAN check out thier web sites and you can maybe get a flavour for what we do , best way to find out is to go along to any multi period event ( the two groups I have mentioned will have a list of some of the events they attend) and have look at the period you are interested , apart from getting wet and sometimes muddy it is great fun Shanks
Anybody interested in WW2 reenactment should really visit the War and Peace Revival show at Folkstone racecourse next week 19-23rd July.
In truth WAPR is rather naff for re-enacting, far better for shopping. Victory Show is much, much better in terms of displays.
Swiper I'm inclined to agree but, if you want sheer quantity of vehicles of all types, atmosphere and loads of people dressed up/down to all sorts of 'standards' then WAPR is a good balance of 'history', vehicles and lads and lassies dressing up and, not forgetting that Caveat Emptor Retail Therapy.......just wish there weren't as many jeeps and US Airborne but, hey, if you like that sort of thing, why not..... I'm actually going to see the tanks having fun!......
Each year you see fewer and vehicles running at these events... also WAPR has hacked off many people with the whole classics and steam goes free - along with a shift to vintage festival & charging those who display to use the loos (I kid not). Personally its gone down hill, and they've made some *terrible* decisions as to their approach. I mean last year there were three displays (Somalia, a contemporary set up for Iraq or Afghan), and Vietnam worth looking at. Others were just stale. I really do just go for shopping as the wealth of dealers in one place is only really equalled by Cigny. [EDIT] Probably should split this off to a 'Rise & Fall of War and Peace' thread...
In reply to SHANKS - here are my views about reenactors: 1. Despite reenactors claiming otherwise, reenacting is nothing more than grown men dressing up as soldiers. I don't believe it enhances our understanding of WWII in any way. It's just an excuse for some people to relive their childhoods. If you want to know about WWII then read and visit museums and battlefields. 2. I don't believe anyone should be allowed to put on a uniform unless they have earned the right to do so. It takes a lot to earn a red, green or any other beret for that matter, yet you can join a reenactment group and wear one without having done anything. I've actually seen reenactors taking applause from people at certain events - why the hell do people applaude reenactors! 3. Reeneactors have taken over practically every memorial event that takes place these days. They turn up uninvited and ruin the whole occasion by taking attention away from what should be the real focus i.e. real soldiers. It has got to the point where I now avoid any memorial events like the plague. 4. I joined a group on facebook where people were invited to post original WWII photos. It got inundated with fake photos from reenactors so I Ieft. At best it seems these reenactors have lost touch with reality, at worst they are deliberately trying to deceive. As for what I do in my spare time, at the weekend I visited a number of battlefield sites and cemeteries in the east of the Netherlands and just across the border in Germany. In the Reichswald you can still see trench lines dug by the Germans (unlike in the forests near Bastogne where reenactors have ruined the terrain by digging their own foxholes). The weekend before I visited sites around the Schedt estuary. Both trips were very interesting and I learned a lot. I also managed to avoid any reenactors, which was a bonus. Cheers, Shaun
My own views on re-enactment groups have already been aired http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/31609-ss-reenactment/page-and these have not changed over the years. I say that dressing up as figures from the past is entirely up to those who feel that by doing so they honour their forbears. What I strongly feel abhorrence for are those who would seek to honour former members of the SS. I don't think I can make myself any clearer. Ron
Wasn't there a chap on this board who organised a 4th Indian Div re-enactment group? Always meant to get in touch with him, but I don't use Facebook and don't really know how it works...
Point 2: I appreciate your point entirely, but how far ought it be stretched. Are the Sealed Knot and those Roman legions acceptable? Does the fact that real veterans are alive and the war is within living memory make the difference? Point 4: Not Facebook, but I've had entirely the same experience when searching for original images. I'm sure it isn't done with malice, but it's really irritating when re-enactment images vastly outweigh genuine ones - and with digital cameras this is invariably the case.
