Author Topic: Let's discuss: Reenacting!  (Read 231457 times)

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Offline kpetschulat

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #270 on: April 07, 2014, 02:36:47 pm »
I'm not sure, I guess by being the best SS reenacting group in the USA...

Offline Duuring

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #271 on: April 07, 2014, 02:49:59 pm »
That's not what I meant. There's a whole lot of elitism amongst SS groups, I know. Not always founded, by the way. Mostly considering foreign volunteers.

A very unfortunate result of that elitism amongst re-enactors is that they simply do not tell the entire story. They'll simply not mention the warcrimes their unit committed or find excuses. That's not just a problem with the SS re-enactors by the way. Soviet re-enactors tend to have that problem as well. I'm in no way trying to critize your impression but I am kinda wondering what you'll do when a spectator asks you if your unit did 'anything bad during WW2'.

Offline Vincenzo

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #272 on: April 07, 2014, 03:03:17 pm »
Just bring me kpetschulat his scalp!

Offline DeoVindice61

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #273 on: April 07, 2014, 04:19:35 pm »
How to be SS'er in USA.  Dont talk about it. Avoid Pubs. Scold at Heers.

Offline kpetschulat

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #274 on: April 07, 2014, 07:34:21 pm »
That's not what I meant. There's a whole lot of elitism amongst SS groups, I know. Not always founded, by the way. Mostly considering foreign volunteers.

A very unfortunate result of that elitism amongst re-enactors is that they simply do not tell the entire story. They'll simply not mention the warcrimes their unit committed or find excuses. That's not just a problem with the SS re-enactors by the way. Soviet re-enactors tend to have that problem as well. I'm in no way trying to critize your impression but I am kinda wondering what you'll do when a spectator asks you if your unit did 'anything bad during WW2'.

I can't say for sure, all I know is that my unit (historically) was more focused on killing invading Allies in Normandy than killing Jews in Central Europe... Idk what else to say, really. Before you guys begin to criticize me for my choice of impression, understand it was the only local group that's been active near NJ. I didn't want to do SS, I wanted to do LW-Fjr, but couldn't find one. Then, I searched for a WH unit, couldn't find one either that wasn't full of Fatty McFatFats, which is ironic coming from me, but I'm working hard to lose weight. I didn't want to be another fatty in a unit full of fat old men who can barely run five feet without almost dieing of exhaustion. Another thing that really stuck out about the group I joined is their extreme commitment to authenticity. This group is very hardcore, and I was surprised they even let me in given my current weight. But, something sparked and they really wanted me, which is fine by me. At least I have the courtesy to lose weight and not take advantage of this opportunity.

Just bring me kpetschulat his scalp!

I swear Vince, I'm going to cut you asshole out, hickory smoke it, then serve it to you in a nice porcelain cup on top of a strawberry souffle.

Offline Vincenzo

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #275 on: April 07, 2014, 08:14:05 pm »
 :o

Offline joer5835

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #276 on: April 07, 2014, 08:29:52 pm »
Boy, that escalated quickly...
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Im from Poland , a land of lawlessness

Offline Millander

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #277 on: April 07, 2014, 08:31:42 pm »
Luckily the 20th Maine was not involved in any racial war crimes or massacres of civilians. They did beat up some black cavalry while raiding a sutler right after Lee's surrender though.

 The event im doing this weekend will be the first time im falling in with the new progressive group im apart of. It will be my first event of eating only period food. Should be pretty hardy.
Of course, I also think lines should be able to move in double rank without having emotional breakdowns.

Offline DeoVindice61

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #278 on: April 07, 2014, 08:41:12 pm »
In all seriousness, the SS unit can be super friendly in the community, a mid-west SS unit based near me. These guys are incredibly friendly and helpful when first started the hobby. Some of the members are currently in or has served the Military. They just honored one of their member at a event for receiving Distinguished Service Medal for saving several lives in Afghanistan. They also welcomed me to the community instantly and great sense of humor. I don't mind these guys at all and their dedication to host events that are biased for Reenactors not spectator won my respect for them.

Morally i wouldnt reenact SS but I wouldnt piss on them because honestly they can be either increibly nice guys or neo nazis such as the SS group in Minnesota, I am sure you guys heard of it, a nazi theme party in german restaurant sparked some hot water in the community about wearing uniform out of the event. Their commander and event host apparently seems to have neo nazi base since he has SS tats and his clothing bear the totenkopf and swastika. (Not on reenacting uniform, im speaking of a classic torn denim vest). Those guys i would totally avoid 100%

So SS for me, are complicated, theyre reenacting war criminal yes, but should i be a total dick to a group of guys who actually are nice to me? So confusing since i'm raised to treat everyone as the way i want to be treated. So I deal with the SS by simply digging around them and getting to know them before to judge.

Now Kpet's unit, I have seen them on FB, definately great group of guys. Authenticity 10/10.  As long they aint neo-nazi scumbag, its fine with me.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2014, 08:42:48 pm by DeoVindice61 »

Offline Landrik

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #279 on: April 07, 2014, 10:29:13 pm »
BAD PERSUN VEWY EVUL PERSON , POLAND STRONK!!!!!!
Guten Tag, Poland Silesia.
I agree with Deo on the stance of SS reenactors in the US. Most are nearly filled with or are heavily influenced by current or prior military members or they're the dirt bags no one invites to events... which is a minority.

The SS groups I've had the most experience with in the Mid-atlantic area have been good all around fellas but we always do have that Heer vs SS stuff. Then we both make fun of "Falschies" or "Farbschirmjägers".

Best thing I've heard was "I ain't no fucking Heer infantry, bro. I need my halftrack."
Humans are extremely complicated creatures. Death uncomplicates them to a frightening degree...

Offline Duuring

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #280 on: April 07, 2014, 10:38:42 pm »
Don't get me wrong guys. I don't have problems with people re-enacting SS. I have problems with people re-enacting SS and telling their own version of the story. I happen to know that the 2. SS was involved for at least two mass murders concerning French civilians and, with all due respect Petschie, I think you should be aware of the ups and downs of your impression. I'm no expert on these guys, but it's something that I came across and I started wondering how aware your group is.

It's not just SS or WW2, by the way. I have a distinct dislike for people who change historical stories to their own liking. It gets extra 'painful' when it's such a recent war as World war 2. Like it or not, the German SS divisions were by and large Nazis and many of their formations have been found guilty of war crimes. We must remember that we re-enact history, not a certain version of it.

As for my regiment - I think we charged a couple of Belgian rebels in 1830, but they started shooting, so it's fair  :P. I intend to do a Soviet impression once, and maybe even an Osttruppen, and I've promised myself to be completely honest to myself what these men did and what motives they had.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2014, 10:40:39 pm by Duuring »

Offline kpetschulat

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #281 on: April 07, 2014, 10:44:19 pm »
I happen to know that the 2. SS was involved for at least two mass murders concerning French civilians and, with all due respect Petschie, I think you should be aware of the ups and downs of your impression.

First of all Duuring, not every regiment in the 2.SS-Division were killing Jews. I didn't say that my unit, the 3.SS-PzGrenReg weren't committing crimes, I said they were not killing Jews. The 3.SS-PzGrenReg was responsible for a civilian slaughter in France, I know. I don't deny the shortcomings of my units history. SS reenacting is obviously very sensitive because of the labeling of mass murderers, but you need to keep in mind that we're 70+ years after WWII. I did see there was a legitimate SS reenacting group that are composed of actual American Neo-Nazis, but I doubt they're ever invited to anything due to their affiliation with the National Socialist movement.

Offline Duuring

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #282 on: April 07, 2014, 10:47:04 pm »
We might be 70 years after the period, but I fail to see how that changes anything. But you are aware, that's all I wanted to know and I hope you aren't pissed at me  :P

Offline DeoVindice61

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #283 on: April 07, 2014, 10:47:32 pm »
Commie scumbag. jk jk

In honesty, I have been to 3 WW2 event so far. There is no interaction with pubs. They just look at us and go "wow" "Foxhole" "Nazis" But none came up with question.

Just my experience, In ACW pubs are like 50% of our hobby lifestyle. Nothing top the good feeling when you have a family coming up to you. Brighting a 10 years old's face when you let him hold your springfield. Explaining them how do we load the rifle and having a discussion about uniforms. Ahhhhh yes. Historian paradise.

Just havent experienced that in WW2 yet. We will see this June when the weather is warmer, that means more pubs and we will be doing entrenchment, that will surely pull the pubs toward to us. I'll let you know what the interaction will be like by then.

Offline Duuring

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Re: Let's discuss: Reenacting!
« Reply #284 on: April 07, 2014, 10:48:42 pm »
Well... If you want reactions, I invite you to wear an SS uniform in a country that was actually IN world war 2  :P