by Marcus Wendel on 10 Mar 2012 10:31 The AHF forum took its first steps as the "Third Reich Forum" back in 1999 in the old ezboard format but the real start of the forum as we know it today was on 10 March 2002 when it was launched in its current format that offered us a lot more features than the old one, the image attachment is just one of many, and another very important step was taken in 2003 when the name was changed to the current "Axis History Forum" to better illustrate the expansion of focus in forum and also help us to attract the members who focus on the non-German allies.
We never thought it would grow into the kind of high-volume, well known and respected forum that it is today and this is thanks to all of you, our dear members! It has been 10 great years, sure we've faced some problems over the years but together we have moved forward and continued to build a better forum.
Don't forget to take part in the AHF 10 year give-away!
On a personal note, I would like to thank all the moderators, past and present, how have generously donated their time to help run the forum.
We would like to share the thoughts of some of our long-time members on the first 10 years of AHF:
John P. Moore wrote:My membership and participation in AHF over the years has been a very positive experience for me. AHF provided me with a forum to get to know other people around the world who shared my research interests in Waffen-SS officers. It has been my good fortune to become close personal friends with some of these people over the years. There is one couple in France that my wife and I regularly go on vacation with whenever we come to Europe. I even met a Dutch Waffen-SS vet who lives nearby and my wife and I could not ask for better friends than Hugo and Loes. During this time I have been able to share much of the fruits of my research with other forum members while also receiving constructive feedback.
Helly Angel wrote:Since the beginning this forum has become a serious point of encounter for students of History, of the WWII and the Third Reich, I celebrate to be here since the early days, I have learned a lot and I have meet exceptional people here, writers, students, witnesses! is increible the quantity of knowledge shared here, Happy Anniversary AHF! Thanks by being the best Forum of History of the internet!
Kim wrote:With the upcoming 10th anniversary of the "new" format, I would like to thank Marcus,the Moderators,and all of the fine contributing members that have made this such a wonderful Forum. The amount of information,photographs,links,etc. that I've received here on a daily basis is truly amazing. In addition to that,I've met many fine people here from around the world,some of whom have become true friends. Thanks to you all,and may the next ten years be as great as the last!
Kim
Max wrote:Firstly let me say congratulations on achieving your tenth year.
While no one will ever accuse me of being a dedicated historian or even an enthusiast in matters of the Third Reich, I will admit, however, to having spent many enjoyable hours on your site- mostly in the Lounge , but more and more, in the "serious" sections.
I have a wide variety of interests, and one it seems, is a developing taste in understanding that terrible period of not so distant history. I hope that my modest contributions have been useful and helpful.
I am constantly amazed at the level of scholarship exhibited by many members and the staff and the diversity of opinions and approach to this very contentious subject.
I congratulate the staff on the way they tactfully handle sometimes quite difficult situations.
The fact that the forum has not disintegrated, as have many other similar forums, is testament to the staff's diligence and sensitivity.
I wish all staff and members the very best for the future of this place of scholarship and learning and especially to you Marcus for your energy and drive.
Georges JEROME wrote:Ten years already !
Before Axishistory I never thank I could have so richfull contacts worldwide with fellow guys (and experts !) who share passion in history.
AnDie, Dieter, Martin, Mike (s), Max, Hugh, Martin, Peter, Thierry, David (s), Dylan, Daniel, Michal, Roland, James, Marcus, Andrey, Timo, Rob, Manfred, Wojtek, Markus, Georges, Laurens, Igor (and many others) are now my friends in history and Phil is my 36 years 's friend.
Steen Ammentorp wrote:Although having been a long time member of AHF I am still amazed by the wealth of information that surface on the Forum everyday. Throughout the years I have established contacts with numerous knowledgeable members, who have aided me in my own research on the generals of World War II – this I have appreciated very much. No doubt the high standard of this Forum is due to its Staff, who moderates with professionalism and fairness. Of all the WW2 forums AHF remains the one that I have regularly visited over the years and will continue to visit – it is simply Quality!
Qvist wrote:AHF provides, at its best, contacts to specialists you would never have otherwise known, research information not to be found in any published book and a place to discuss complex or specialised issues on a level you would often be hard pressed to replicate at any place of learning. More frequently and inevitably, it provides rather less than this and not seldom it provides fresh opportunities for disappointment with mankind and what the world is coming to.
It is, in short, a discussion forum, not much better or worse than the people who frequent it.
If I have to pick one thing that sets it apart, compared to many competitors, it is that it not just has a guideline that prohibits the use of the forum as a vehicle for the political extremism that sadly tends to gravitate to places dedicated to discussion of the totalitarian monstrosities of the previous century. Most sites have that. But AHF actually takes it seriously enough to enforce it, and to give some thought within its moderator corps to what that entails. If you come on this site and propagate, you do as a rule get thrown out, after due warning and consideration. There is not always agreement about where the limits go, but this is still a rare achievement.
Many thanks for these 10 years and we look forward to many more!
/Marcus & the rest of the forum staff
