1940's wartime weekend 29-31 May 2004 (UK members)

[Ian Jewison]

A highley decorated SS Untersturmführer

[Ian Jewison]

Two Luftwaffe pilots have a quick chat .....both veterans of the Spanish civil war and the Narvik campaign!

[Ian Jewison]

Another well decorated officer...this one being a Geordie Infanterie Major returning on leave to Wales!

[Ian Jewison]

Myself and the same officer after having a good chat......interestingly he wanted a Soldbuch!!!!!

[Ian Jewison]

And finally an assortment of highly decorated Officers..........

[junior]

Very nice pictures!

Cheers,
Junior.

[Eric Stahlhut]

Myself and the same officer after having a good chat......interestingly he wanted a Soldbuch!!!!!

Thanks for sharing your weekend with us! Fabulous pictures!

But....what is it with you guys? Is there a special Wehrmacht-Awards Member Summertime "look" these days that I was previously unaware of? Everyone looks alike, to some extent.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Ian, thanks for posting the pics. I have never been to this event.


Cheers, Ade.

[Si1964]

Ian, thanks for the pics, very interesting...

One question I would like to put to any of our re-enactors here, please treat me kindly, here as in a lot of shows over the years, a lot of guys and gals always seem to want to be offiecers, highly decorated, or from elite or specialised troops.

Never see too many Privates from the Somersets..... just curious, not having a go...

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Simon, I think you have raised a valid question. There are many different types of re-enactors.

Most will belong to a group which will represent a given unit or perhaps two. In those you will find a correct rank structure as far as numbers will allow. The best you will get is platoon size in most groups. Most will be a little top heavy with a few NCO's and an Officer.This is done for the reason that the public need to see some with rank. I can quote the two units I am a member of. In my British Airborne group, "Summer of '44", we have one Officer (Myself) rank of Captain, one Clp, one Lance clp, the rest, approx. 10 are Privates. In my Soviet group, "2nd Guards Rifle Div." we have one Sgt. Major and two junior NCO's (one of which is me) the rest approx. 25 are Privates. But on occasion we do have an NKVD Officer for "show"

The event Ian has kindly photographed was a 1940's railway "do". These type of events tend to bring in a lot of private individuals who are not members of any groups. They have gone out and bought a uniform and done it up the way they fancy. Hence you will find high ranks and high decorations, Pz, SS, Airborne, etc. Officer's uniform always looks better hence the choice. The decorations I do, personally, have a real problem with. Most, if not all groups, will dissapprove of this. But it is a free country, thanks to the Vets who did this for real!

Hope this answers your questions?

Cheers, Ade.

[Si1964]

Hi Ade,

Thanks for the reply, I knew you would treat me kindly , in more organised groups, how do you actually decide who is what, is it based on military service, historical knowledge of the unit, large cheque book , seriously though, and this is not a dig, quite often with a small structured grouping, the guys in the lower ranks seem smart etc, where as at times the ranking officers seem scruffy.

As for the awards thing, I have been selling off my collection at the last two odyssey shows in Kent. Last year an old boy came over, can't remember if it was a German GD or SS re-enactment group, looking at my EKI's, II's IAB, frozen meat medals, silver wound etc for sale. He commented on the quality of the items for sale. Looking at his and passing a compliement on his, EKI, II, Black, Silver wound, Osten,IAB, I think he had a DKiG & a couple of others ...., yep you guessed it all orginal and all his. Which I thought was rather neat that this guy could still wear his hard worn items without fear of that label been attached.

As I said I though it was neat, others may not agree, but hey thats why we are living in decomcrate free state .

Here's a couple of snaps I have taken over the years. Amazing how some people just look the part.

Home Guard

[Si1964]

French Lancer

[Si1964]

cav

[Si1964]

Ah, the white cliffs of Dover, looks its looks so different from this side

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Simon, some good photos there. I would agree about looking "the part". One of the best things I have encounted is several Vets complimented me on my turnout which I think is a great honour. Clean brass and boots etc. pressed BD. Attached is a pic of me.

We, "2nd Guards Rifle" do Detling each year. We will have to meet up for a pint

The rank structure is usually decided by vote in most units. The people who put in the most work get the stripes or pips. Plus age has a bit to do with it. At age 42, I could not realistically be a Private in the Airborne Forces. But in the British unit we represent, XXI Indep Para. Coy, the C.O, Major "Boy" Wilson, was 47. So I have a few years left yet! (Major Wilson was the oldest man to parachute into Arnhem.) We are a bunch of mates who have known each other for years. In fact, we really ought to have a Sgt. but no one wants the stripes

Cheers, Ade.