German WWII Reenacting Questions - Central Illinois Area

[Chaser]

I am going to be the Fallschirmjager there, and will be setting up to talk. I am hoping to get an opportunity to take photographs with the JU52 with an RZ1, RZ16, and RZ20 parachute, so if any other paratroopers are able to make it....bring your gear and we can get some photos in the door I hope.

Any German paras are welcome, and Huntzmann, if you see a German para with a couple parachutes (possibly a female Soviet nearby, as my wife recently decided that she wants to get involved in Soviet reenacting...probably to shoot at me!!), then drop by to say hello, and I will be happy to help out. The reenacting is great, and can give you a bit of information on a couple units, and give you some contact information for Mike. I don't have the network of contacts with me, but I'll at least steer you towards him. If you do decide to go FJ...we'd love to have you as well.

I hope to meet you on the fields, irregardless of what uniform you are wearing. Welcome to reenacting!!
Jon

[Huntzman]

Jon

Takes for the information and I appreciate you taking the time to post. Feel free to shoot me an email and maybe we can chat further about it. Are you going to be at Davenport or Evansville ?

Heer, LW, SS........ how does one decide ?? I guess it ultimately comes down to personal preference. I'm trying to locate some of the units online and check out them individually to find a good fit. It was interesting to see how many guys are actually in multiple units / branches.

Andrew

[JPhilip]

Heer wise there's the 352 ID in the St Louis area; 2nd Panzers up North (lots of cool toys)

I never reenacted so far, and i think i'll never do it, but if i was doing it for some reason, i think i would enlist to one of these famous HEER units both involved in the battle of Normandy...with a little preference for the Panzergrenadier-regiment 304 of the 2. Panzerdivision

[Chaser]

It ultimately comes down to a balance between personal preference and unit fit. If you find some guys that make you comfortable whether Heer, SS, or Luftwaffe and it is an impression you enjoy, then that would be the impression.

Airborne has always been foremost in my mind because of the fact I've loved aviation, and so for me I haven't done leg infantry, just because the airborne gets me into aircraft, and it was such a changing technology in the 1930-1940s that it is interesting to me.

Ardennes and FJR 1 met the same goals as I did with Fallschirmjager in that we both wanted to see the best impressions we could do, but were willing to work together as a unit to share this information in getting there.

As for me...I'll be at Davenport so I can get into the JU52.
Jon

[Chaser]

The email came back as delayed...so I don't know if you got it. If you get it, feel free to read and respond, otherwise the PM function on the forum works fine as well. I just didn't want you thinking I hadn't responded.
Jon

[Huntzman]

My apologies for the delay in getting back to this thread. Been a heckuva week around the house. Nothing but work, work and more work. Anyone own a pool ? Ever have a liner come lose ? You know what I mean then !!!

Well, after much research, deliberation, and conversations with a bunch of great people, I have decided to pursue a German WSS Impression. It fits perfectly with my interest in Eastern Front history.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who particpated in the thread and also for those who contacted me direct. That is one of my favorite things regarding the forum, the interaction between members.

I plan on going to Evansville Indiana on June 2nd to check out the D-Day Re-Enactment.

Best wishes to all & Thanks,
Andrew

[Huntzman]

My First Event

Well, I was finally able to attend my first event and man what a blast it was !!

I had joined the LAH back in August, but due to some personal issues I was not able to attend any event until this past Saturday. I was able to attend the event at Fort Bellefontaine in Missouri.

The guys were great, the event was fun and I am glad that I got the chance. I'm already looking forward to the next event at Jefferson Barracks.

In addition to a good time and meeting some really great people, it gave me a deeper understanding of what the German soldier went through. Trust me, enjoying those photos in the books by Williamson, Quarrie, & Davis, etc. in the comfort of your living room do nothing to convey to you the actual feeling left by a day in hobnailed boots.

For those with an interest in re-enacting, I would highly recommend it.

Andrew