WWII Reenacting Discussion Thread

[obxgyrene]

I've been told by WW2 vets, that WW2 sucked and the whole concept of reenacting something that sucked is really stupid. Some people who aren't and weren't in the military see you as being a "poser" which is bad in this decade...

First of all, I don't think a legitimate reenactor is a "poser." A "poser" is someone who falsely claims military service, or embellishes their own military service for personal or monetary gain. Here's a great link with a poser listing: http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1140.htm

I do agree that WW-II sucked because it destroyed so many lives, but so did every single war. In fact, I seem to recall that there were 1/3 more American deaths during the War Between the States. I know/knew hundreds of the guys who served during WW-II and all of them did put the war behind them while they were raising families and seldom talked about it until much later in life. However, I do think that the wartime experiences did in fact define them as a generation, and as such, is worthy of remembrance. One of my best buddies now deceased even went so far to say that he only spent 5% of his life in the service, however it was by far the most formative and meaningful part of his life.

I think that portraying a bomber crew, especially around vintage aircraft serves a valuable education purpose. Same with others who portray the various ground units, although to be honest, I prefer to see people participate in the "good time" events such as canteen dances. I think that reenactments though do serve a valuable purpose to educate the younger generation--where else can you see a bazooka, flamethrower, or a machine gun?

Many grandchildren are legitimately curious about what it was like. I know that personally from my experience dealing with many of them who correspond with me regarding information I have made available on the Internet. Again, in my opinion, if it's done right, it can be a valuable experience to the reenactors and to the public.

As a parting thought, I do agree though that those who get involved in reenacting are far too old to represent the typical GI.

 

[Atticus Finch]

A related point: at an anniversary re-enactment of Pickett's Charge, a former Confederate, now in his dotage, said it was impossible to do a real Rebel Yell with a belly full of food and a mouth emptied of teeth.

One of the many interesting things I've stumbled across on this forum was the "quasi-reproduced" sound of an actual Rebel Yell. As I recall, someone found a ‘thirties recording of a single old Confederate doing his Rebel yell...as best he still could. They then used modern methods to "loop" the old recording into many voices, and staggered them, thus sorta-kinda reproducing the actual sound of a charging Confederate unit. I wish I knew how to get to that link.

AF

 

[Speedster]

One of the many interesting things I've stumbled across on this forum was the "quasi-reproduced" sound of an actual Rebel Yell. As I recall, someone found a ‘thirties recording of a single old Confederate doing his Rebel yell...as best he still could. They then used modern methods to "loop" the old recording into many voices, and staggered them, thus sorta-kinda reproducing the actual sound of a charging Confederate unit. I wish I knew how to get to that link.

AF

Could it be this?: http://26nc.org/History/Rebel-Yell/rebel-yell.html

 

[Atticus Finch]

YES!!!! Thank You!!!

AF

 

[Zemke Fan]

Guys. This is THE thread to discuss reenacting issues. Thanks.

 

[cco23i]

First of all, I don't think a legitimate reenactor is a "poser." A "poser" is someone who falsely claims military service, or embellishes their own military service for personal or monetary gain. Here's a great link with a poser listing: http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1140.htm

I do agree that WW-II sucked because it destroyed so many lives, but so did every single war. In fact, I seem to recall that there were 1/3 more American deaths during the War Between the States. I know/knew hundreds of the guys who served during WW-II and all of them did put the war behind them while they were raising families and seldom talked about it until much later in life. However, I do think that the wartime experiences did in fact define them as a generation. One of my best buddies now deceased even went so far to say that he only spent 5% of his life in the service, however it was by far the most formative and meaningful part of his life.

I think that portraying a bomber crew, especially around vintage aircraft serves a valuable education purpose. Same with others who portray the various ground units, although to be honest, I prefer to see people participate in the "good time" events such as canteen dances. I think that reenactments though do serve a valuable purpose to educate the younger generation--where else can you see a bazooka, flamethrower, or a machine gun?

Many grandchildren are legitimately curious about what it was like. I know that personally from my experience dealing with many of them who correspond with me regarding information I have made available on the Internet. Again, in my opinion, if it's done right, it can be a valuable experience to the reenactors and to the public.

As a parting thought, I do agree though that those who get involved in reenacting are far too old to represent the typical GI.

You hit the nail on the head! I understand the "poser" thought that was stated earlier BUT with all the displays we have done as a WW2 ground crew I have only had ONE person say anything bad, and he wasn't even in the military and he said "who cares about the mechanics, the pilot's won the battles". Well this is the ignorance OUR ground crew unit is trying to get rid of. If a person, vet or not potrays a military impression whether it be combat or support and DO IT CORRECTLY AND WITH RESPECT there is NO ISSUE. And as for REMF, just remember it takes EVERYBODY to win a war so even frontline soldiers have a certain respect for the drivers and such bringing in the supplies.

Scott

 

[obxgyrene]

... I understand the "poser" thought that was stated earlier BUT with all the displays we have done as a WW2 ground crew I have only had ONE person say anything bad, and he wasn't even in the military and he said "who cares about the mechanics, the pilot's won the battles"...

The part in bold and underlined says it all. Every pilot I knew always made it clear to me that the mechanics and line-chiefs were the real heroes, and most were never officially recognized for their efforts.

...And as for REMF, just remember it takes EVERYBODY to win a war so even frontline soldiers have a certain respect for the drivers abd such bringing in the supplies.

I know where you are coming from on that. I think the concept of REMF is a relatively new one. I never heard any WW-II vet every talk about fellow veterans of the era in those derogatory terms--regardless of what their billet was or where they had served. Of course, there was no love-loss for 4Fs.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Here's the story of a local poser in my area, a man named Roland Sperry who claimed to have been a Flying Tiger during WWII. I remember once Mr. Sperry had a table right next to mine at a militaria show I was selling at in the 1990s where he was flogging signed copies of his book. A word of warning: the book does turn up on eBay from time to time as well as signed prints depicting his fictitious exploits.

http://www.warbirdforum.com/sperry.htm

 

[obxgyrene]

Here's the story of a local poser in my area, a man named Roland Sperry who claimed to have been a Flying Tiger during WWII. I remember once Mr. Sperry had a table right next to mine at a militaria show I was selling at in the 1990s where he was flogging signed copies of his book. A word of warning: the book does turn up on eBay from time to time as well as signed prints depicting his fictitious exploits.

A poser extraordinaire. Too bad, especially since he served honorably and earned the Purple Heart and DFC, among others. My rule of thumb is if someone touts his wartime experiences, I immediately become suspicious. Guys that have really done heroic deeds don't brag about it.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Incredibly, Sperry had managed to obtain photos of an actual pilot who bore a vague resemblance to him, which he used to illustrate his book.

 

[Stearmen]

One of the many interesting things I've stumbled across on this forum was the "quasi-reproduced" sound of an actual Rebel Yell. As I recall, someone found a ‘thirties recording of a single old Confederate doing his Rebel yell...as best he still could. They then used modern methods to "loop" the old recording into many voices, and staggered them, thus sorta-kinda reproducing the actual sound of a charging Confederate unit. I wish I knew how to get to that link.

AF

I have red several accounts by Union solders who stated that when they finally heard the Rebel Yell for the first time, that it was pathetic. This sounds right for men that were not well fed and often force marched to try and get ahead of the Union army.

 

[Spitfire]

Might be opening a can of worms here - but anyway, let's give it a shot and try to keep it civilized...

I do find it very great and fantastic that some girls and guys will spend time and money on recreating history. Even down to the smallest button.
But when they claim, it's in honour of the veterans, who were actually there, I find it sooooo wrong that 50+, overweight, beer bellies try to look like young, trained troops.
Playing war in the woods with your buddies is another thing. And I couldn't care less - might even be good with some exercise.
But parading in the streets, doing history teaching at schools, participating at air-shows etc.?

I think age should be right and true to the rank you "play" just as the physical appearance must be right.
Paratroopers who jumped in Normandy was not 47 years old. Pilots who flew during Battle of Britain, did not have beer bellies.

What do you think?

 

[cco23i]

Might be opening a can of worms here - but anyway, let's give it a shot and try to keep it civilized...

I do find it very great and fantastic that some girls and guys will spend time and money on recreating history. Even down to the smallest button.
But when they claim, it's in honour of the veterans, who were actually there, I find it sooooo wrong that 50+, overweight, beer bellies try to look like young, trained troops.
Playing war in the woods with your buddies is another thing. And I couldn't care less - might even be good with some exercise.
But parading in the streets, doing history teaching at schools, participating at air-shows etc.?

I think age should be right and true to the rank you "play" just as the physical appearance must be right.
Paratroopers who jumped in Normandy was not 47 years old. Pilots who flew during Battle of Britain, did not have beer bellies.

What do you think?

Well Spit we portray ground crew to honor the ones who were on the flightlines in WW2. AND if you look many were older and alittle "plumper" than the frontline types. With all our displays I have had only ONE complaint and as I said it was by someone who was never in the service. ALL of the vets we talked to many of whom were aircrew said we definitly fit the part and they made comments of how they always felt they were "borrowing the car" from their father everytime they went up. Hell even the British ground crews were older than the pilots.

Scott

 

[Spitfire]

Scott - I do believe you are right - so you and your guys are home free (Who am I to decide?)

 

[obxgyrene]

Spit has a valid point on the age issue for sure. However, the age of a reenactor (of guys over 35) can still be used to educate. Here is a scenario to illustrate that thought. A reenactor might ask "Can anyone tell me what is incorrect about the impression I am doing?" After a few wrong answers, select a 20-year old in the crowd and ask them to come and stand next to you. Then point out the age issue by telling everyone that the 20-year old is the typical face of the young men who fought in, and won the Second World War. I don't think that most people realize just how young most of these guys were having seen war movies with actors who are for the most part far too old.

As far as the issue of being visibly overweight, I cannot offer a defense for that one.

 

[1961MJS]

Might be opening a can of worms here - but anyway, let's give it a shot and try to keep it civilized...

I do find it very great and fantastic that some girls and guys will spend time and money on recreating history. Even down to the smallest button.
But when they claim, it's in honour of the veterans, who were actually there, I find it sooooo wrong that 50+, overweight, beer bellies try to look like young, trained troops.
Playing war in the woods with your buddies is another thing. And I couldn't care less - might even be good with some exercise.
But parading in the streets, doing history teaching at schools, participating at air-shows etc.?

I think age should be right and true to the rank you "play" just as the physical appearance must be right.
Paratroopers who jumped in Normandy was not 47 years old. Pilots who flew during Battle of Britain, did not have beer bellies.

What do you think?

Hi Spitfire

Like I wrote earlier, there's a serious gap between the money a 20 year old has and the money necessary to buy a Garand, Jump boots, a helmet, and two or three uniforms. (Besides, every 20 year old is out chasing "a significant other"). Those of us who ARE 50 have the necessary money and have caught a significant other (which is why we now NEED a hobby).

The argument is one that will most likely remain unsolved due to earning capabilities, priorities, and the world's diet.

I used to be a member on a Militaria collecting website. They had a whole thread with pictures of out of shape etc reenactors. The best two were the SS trooper with a Mullet and a 400 pound Nazi Paratrooper (Fallschrimjager (Spelling)). Well the Japanese Heinrich Himmler was pretty cool too.

Later

 

[obxgyrene]

I used to be a member on a Militaria collecting website. They had a whole thread with pictures of out of shape etc reenactors. The best two were the SS trooper with a Mullet and a 400 pound Nazi Paratrooper (Fallschrimjager (Spelling)). Well the Japanese Heinrich Himmler was pretty cool too.

LOL. What about a link? Would like to see that mess.

 

[kampkatz]

As long as a reenactor can seperate fact from fiction and truly seeks to teach history to willing hearers, I can appreciate his/her efforts.

 

[1961MJS]

LOL. What about a link? Would like to see that mess.

Unfortunately the site is no longer in service. It had some Great pictures of all WW1, WW2, Korean, and Vietnam militaria. We're talking all versions of the Mussette bag, all versions of the M1 Garand etc.

Later

 

[obxgyrene]

Unfortunately the site is no longer in service. It had some Great pictures of all WW1, WW2, Korean, and Vietnam militaria. We're talking all versions of the Mussette bag, all versions of the M1 Garand etc.Later

Thanks for the heads-up. I've been looking at http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/ and was disappointed that I couldn't locate the Japanese Himmler. Now I know why.