Why do americans like to reenact Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS

[Schwen]

Why: I am an American Marine Corps Infantry vet. I like history, and love the vehicles/weapons/uniforms of the German Army, circa 1939-1945. No politics, either...

Love that, or hate that. It's your choice. I enjoy it, and will continue to...

[Trackhead M2]

Why: I am an American Marine Corps Infantry vet. I like history, and love the vehicles/weapons/uniforms of the German Army, circa 1939-1945. No politics, either...

Love that, or hate that. It's your choice. I enjoy it, and will continue to...

Dear Big S,
As the son of an immigrant, I take it from your phrase that you are an immgrant like my Father. Usually, American born Vets say they are either "Marines" or "US Marines" and don't modify the term Marine with the word American.

That aside, thanks for your service. And as I posted earlier, I wonder about some who do Waffen-SS as they use it as part of a wider agenda. A Marine Vet I met at a Peoria Gun Show many years ago said he saw the SS as being as "Bad *ss" as the Marines and if he chose to re-enact WW 2 that is where he would.
Strike Swiftly,
TH-M2

[Schwen]

Hehe, you are definitely "on point", Track!

Yeah, from RL elite, to "Historical Elite!"....Smooth transition...

Im besten, Kamarad...

[BillHermann]

The bad boy concept and the post war creation of an elite myth would be the reason.

[history1]

TrackHead,
If you were referring to the ceremonies that used to be performed at Gap. It is not an "illegal ceremony". It is The Großer Deutsche Zapfenstreich (literally translated Tattoo or Grand Taps) is a military ceremony still performed throughout Germany and Austria to this day.

It´s just "Großer Zapfenstreich" keep that in mind for the future. And yes, in Austria it is still performed nowadays but sure with no swastika in sight. Also there are used different compositions in both countries.

[JACK-BOOT]

Why: I am an American Marine Corps Infantry vet. I like history, and love the vehicles/weapons/uniforms of the German Army, circa 1939-1945. No politics, either...

Love that, or hate that. It's your choice. I enjoy it, and will continue to...

I reenact 9th SS and i reenact German for all the same reasons, except i wasent in the Marines...Im an Army Vet

[Trackhead M2]

Why: I am an American Marine Corps Infantry vet. I like history, and love the vehicles/weapons/uniforms of the German Army, circa 1939-1945. No politics, either...

Love that, or hate that. It's your choice. I enjoy it, and will continue to...

I reenact 9th SS and i reenact German for all the same reasons, except i wasent in the Marines...Im an Army Vet

Dear JB,
Thanks for your service and I guess you share some common origins with Big S. Are you going to Rockford for WW 2 days next month? If you are look up the 70th US TNK BAT, and I see you there.
Strike Swiftly,
TH-M2

[landser32]

Schwen wrote:

Why: I am an American Marine Corps Infantry vet. I like history, and love the vehicles/weapons/uniforms of the German Army, circa 1939-1945. No politics, either...

Love that, or hate that. It's your choice. I enjoy it, and will continue to...

Dittos on that 100% bruddah! The only difference is I was US Army, 7 years, but I'm sure we pounded allot of the same ground at one time or another although with my MOS, I did allot of "tread work" getting from point A to point B..

[Sarge]

Well I guess I'll jump in here.
I am a military historian - got a History Degree to prove it. I became interested in the Civil War early in High School and by my Junior year had become interesed in, and started collecting, WW 2 German military. My primary interests are W-SS and Lw Fallschirmjäger. I have been a Fj unit commander since 1982. Would have done W-SS Fj, but couldn't find any one who was interested so went the Lw route.
My interest is in the military aspect of the Germans, NOT the political! I do not tolorate any of the neo-nutzi BS in my unit!
I also do Civil War - Confederate and US Viet Nam. You will see I am consistant - I have chosen the "loosing side" in all 3 time periods. Yeash right, we didn't loose in VN, we had it taken away from us by the damned politicians!!!
Oh and I spent 15 yrs in the US military. Got a disability retirement from very close contakt with an NVA Sapper Div one dark night. Since I was Airborne doing Fallschirmjäger just came natural. Most of my unit are jump qualified, I conduct jump school periodicly. It is getting to be time to do so again.
Reenacting WW 2 is definately not confined to the US. I have gone to WW 2 reenactments and displays in the US, England, france AND Germany.

[Trackhead M2]

Since I was Airborne doing Fallschirmjäger just came natural. Most of my unit are jump qualified, I conduct jump school periodicly.

Dear Sarge,
Do you jump with authentic Falschirmjager chutes or US/British? I saw photos of the riser of the German chutes and it looks like the only way to steer one of them was with the force.
Strike Swiftly,
TH-M2

[aeros66]

Little surprised a degreed historian misspelled "periodically" among other things.
But nonetheless, am amazed at your prolific involvement in reenactment- that's a lot of gear- cool.

Cheers.

[Sarge]

No, we use modern chutes - "wings or squares" depending on your terminology. Our DZ is at about 6500' so we want a good sized chute because of the thiner air.
When I have a jump class/jump day everyone is invited so we often have GI, Brit & Germans jumping. We are all in uniform and near full equipment - no rifles or canteens. The Germans are carrying pistols though.
I have 3 original Fallschirmjäger chutes/kit bags and a metal shipping can for one - Got to get a couple more of those cans - The German chute was semi non stearable, I wouldn't want to jump that type chute unless I had a large clear DZ.

Hell if'n I hadn't misspell't one occasionaly I would be very surprised!
Yep, I got enuf reenacting gear to fill a pick-up trk, if I took it all somewhere at once. I have never displayed all 3 impressions together, but quite often set up WW 2 & Viet Nam displays together. Got one of those coming up at a local museum on 6 Okt. Will take my ruskie combi and Kübelwagen to that also.
Sarge

[Trackhead M2]

[quote="Sarge"] The German chute was semi non stearable, I wouldn't want to jump that type chute unless I had a large clear DZ.
Dear Sarge,
I recall a bit by George Carlin about semi boneless ham: does it have a bone? yes it has a bone, ain't no semi-bone.
Strike Swiflty,
TH-M2

[Sarge]

Well in trhe case of the WW 2 German chutes "semi non-stearable" is accurate.
To "Try" to stear it you ran in place hanging from the risers and leaned in the direction you wanted to go. IF you were lucky, and had enuf altitude, you could get some directional change. Thus "semi non-stearable."
Sarge

[Trackhead M2]

Well in trhe case of the WW 2 German chutes "semi non-stearable" is accurate.
To "Try" to stear it you ran in place hanging from the risers and leaned in the direction you wanted to go. IF you were lucky, and had enuf altitude, you could get some directional change. Thus "semi non-stearable."
Sarge

Dear Sarge,
Who designed these chutes, Friz Freleng? It's kind of a cartoon image of running in the air.
Strike Swiflty,
TH-M2