Help oversize uniform

[sapper740]

For a sec Gentlemen, I thought I was reading posts to a Texas Reenactors forum. It appears the issue of authenticity straddles the globe. We in Texas have recently gone through a very divisive issue that threatened to split the Reenactor community in twain. The issue was facial hair on any reenactor in general and GebirgsJagers in particular. Despite many period photos to the contrary, the organizers of a popular annual event forbade the wearing of facial hair on any Axis reenactor. The 5th Gebirgs are one of Texas' largest German units and they boycotted the event along with many of their friends, myself included. The next annual event was a dismal failure, unfortunately. This display of solidarity convinced the organizers to relent and authenticity standards are now set by the Unit Commanders of the various reenactment groups. At a recent event I authorized my unit to cease shaving one week before the event in order to present the most authentic impression of the Canadian fighting soldier a la the picture taken on Aug. 11, 1943 of Sgt. H.E. Cooper of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. We looked great! No spit and polish during a hard fought battle and I dared any REMF to complain. No one did.
I feel the important thing in all this is missed. We should be doing this to honour the veterans and to keep the memory of their sacrifice alive for future generations. That is my overarching purpose when I go to reenactments. Not every reenactor's impression is perfect as it is extremely difficult to both know and then acquire what is correct. Counting eyelets in Ammo boots doesn't accomplish a thing (the reenactor's equivalent of picking fly shit out of pepper) and only serves to alienate people. Do I dishonour Vets by taking a No4 MkII to the field inplace of a No4 MkI? No, of course not but some Stitch Nazi might try to exclude someone who did. So Gilles, I applaud your friend's desire to join the reenactor community, tell him "Bonne chance!" from me.
The soap box is now available.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by sapper740

... I feel the important thing in all this is missed. We should be doing this to honour the veterans and to keep the memory of their sacrifice alive for future generations. That is my overarching purpose when I go to reenactments. Not every reenactor's impression is perfect as it is extremely difficult to both know and then acquire what is correct. ...some Stitch Nazi might try to exclude someone who did. So Gilles, I applaud your friend's desire to join the reenactor community, tell him "Bonne chance!" from me. The soap box is now available.

Excellent! Well put. Having fun and honouring our veterans - what more can you ask for? I love this hobby of ours. I have a CMP that is being restored to its original condition (with some constraints; namely, I am using new paint, some new nuts and bolts, new metal and new POL). It will look the part but will not be original. So what? It is a tribute to Cdn industrial power and our contribution to the defeat of tyranny.

The point is, no matter what you do to replicate the past as a young/middle aged WWII re-enactor, it won't be original. You were not there. But having fun in a way that makes a positive contribution to the memory of our troops, no matter what you look like, should be embraced and applauded.

Stitch and "bolt" nazis are welcome to criticize my truck, but be prepared to contribute to correcting the "problem" (i.e. money or parts), or just keep on walking by.

I hate smilies, but today I will make an exception. I salute all re-enactors for their willingness to try when others chose to sit back and bitch.

[Mike Timoshyk]

Educate, Perpetuate, Commemorate and Remember.


Anything less is all for naught.

We all do it in our own unique way.



Mike Timoshyk in Windsor Ontario

[Gunner]

To our two friends in the UK- question: have either of you served?

My point is that only those who have served may judge... all others may hold their tongues.

Gilles' group is made up of retired artillery non-commissioned officers (you may have noticed that Gilles signs in as "CWO"... RSM to most of us) He has done the time and earned the t-shirt. I would suspect that the same goes for his large friend.

Gilles' group are not civilian re-enactors... they are old sweats who are affiliated to their old unit and are restoring and presenting one of the Regiments' old guns to keep alive the story of the 25 pounder (manufactured in Montreal by the way) for the unit, for the Forces and for the general public. They do this out of a love for the Gunner Colours- The Guns!

This is a forum for old truck collectors and Canadian made vehicle enthusiasts; one of our brothers, one who has a chest full of real medals, asked for help; how did some of us respond- with derision or criticism or both- FOR SHAME!

I am not given to long rants on this net as I feel that its better to educate, support and offer what meagre knowledge I can after 33 years of service and many more as a collector (Dad started me young!). Those that know me personally know that I'm an opinionated and overweight old so and so who has his own chestful of medals and still passes the Battle Fitness Test every year. I take personal umbrage to some of the comments I've read here. Lets get back to useful discussions about CMPs and helpful hints to friends.

Giff- if this barrage is off target you have my permission to delete it.

Gunner out!

[Barry Churcher]

Well said Gunner, Rob and Mike. As an overweight but not obese member of this forum I would ask if it is appropriate if I take my truck to the Remembrance Day services coming up in a couple of weeks. There were not many men my age or weight driving trucks or serving in WW2. Rob I didn't know your feelings on smilies so I will try to use them more.
Cheers,
Barry

[dougiebarder]

No I haven't served. But if I had, I know I wouldn't be happy to see a bunch of posers running around and showing off and pretending to be real soldiers.
I don't think any of the re-enactors I've seen show real soldiers in a good light.
If you want to dress up and make yourselves the centre of attention-choose another subject. Reading a British army site (WWW.arrse.com) the general consensus seems to be that any real ex solders doing it should know better!

I know that I'm massively outnumbered in my opinions, but quiet frankly, I don't care. The general excuse used by re-enactors is that when they meet the old guys who they are pretending to be, they say it's fine. I've seen a few of these incredibly modest and brave men as well, and I think they are just very polite-yeah I know-unlike me, but re-enactors really annoy me.
Please feel free to delete this ASAP.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by dougiebarder

No I haven't served. But if I had, I know I wouldn't be happy to see a bunch of posers running around and showing off and pretending to be real soldiers.
I don't think any of the re-enactors I've seen show real soldiers in a good light.
If you want to dress up and make yourselves the centre of attention-choose another subject. Reading a British army site (WWW.arrse.com) the general consensus seems to be that any real ex solders doing it should know better!

I know that I'm massively outnumbered in my opinions, but quiet frankly, I don't care. The general excuse used by re-enactors is that when they meet the old guys who they are pretending to be, they say it's fine. I've seen a few of these incredibly modest and brave men as well, and I think they are just very polite-yeah I know-unlike me, but re-enactors really annoy me.
Please feel free to delete this ASAP.

Matt,

I don't think your last missive should be deleted, it reflects your opinion, which you think is defensible, tho' one can debate whether or not AARSE is an authority on this issue - they tend to spend more time slamming those who do serve (Walts, etc... in your service support, RAF and Cadet Force).

We need open discourse like this to allow others to decide their way forward with regard to re-enacting. Who knows, it may inspire those who do re-enact (myself included) to improve their "poserability".

I have just a few questions for you: What are you doing to improve the situation? Are you just venting for the sake of venting?

[dougiebarder]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

Matt,


I have just a few questions for you: What are you doing to improve the situation? Are you just venting for the sake of venting?

I'm just a collector, I display some of my junk at Beltring, but not particularly in an authentic setting. It is however all genuine, no reproduction etc (which is why it looks so scruffy). If anybody ask's me, I hope I can give them a bit of history, and an idea of how the stuff was used. I think the same goes for the vehicles etc we have-they are the real deal, just like the men that really used them. I just don't think re-enactors can get close to portraying the real troops. (they don't look tired and scared before they go into battle for a start). As I've said before, I think that people would get a much better idea of the history if the uniforms etc were statically displayed on dummies for them to get a good look (and a better range, rather than hundreds of 101 airborne and ss uniforms). Another great idea I think I saw at the bovington tank museum, was a coat rack with a few sets of webbing, filled to the correct weight-that made more of an impression on me than a whole field of people playing soldiers.
I know the argument goes, that it's the re-enactors who draw in the crowds at shows etc, but personally, I think it would be better to get a smaller number of people, who are really interested in learning about the history, that lots who want to see the tanks (and this will probably be anything armoured in their eyes) and guns.
Sorry, I'm going on a bit.
To sum it up, I think there's better ways of showing our forces respect than dressing up and playing soldiers.
(I'd say like buying them a pint, but there might be a stampede )