26th Infantry Division



WWII Reenactment Windsor VT July 2010

Authenticity Standards for German Troops

As the overall commander of the German forces at the Windsor event, I would like to put forward the following authenticity standards that

will be in place for the Germans. The event organizers and I agree that authenticity standards at New England events have declined in the past few years and we want to make this event a quality experience for quality re-enactors.  Basic authenticity will be strictly enforced, we will have an authenticity inspection for each participant upon registering, during the ammo check. Here is a brief rundown of the minimum standards for Germans. Anyone in violation of these standards will be asked to remove the incorrect items or leave.

Minimum Uniform and Equipment Standards:

-All re-enactors portraying German troops must wear a correct reproduction uniform, either wool, HBT, tropical, or a combination of these. Uniforms must be complete with insignia appropriate for rank and for field service. No T-shirts, dress uniforms, work uniforms, etc. No marksmanship aiguillettes, this is simply not appropriate for a field uniform.

-Footwear must be either jackboots or German military issue type low boots. Captured Allied or civilian type boots will not do. If you do not have and can not get proper type boots, please stay home.

-All soldiers must wear a helmet during the battle. Heer troops may only wear single-decal or no-decal helmets, no pre-war double decal Heer helmets at this 1943 event. No plastic helmets, obviously.

-Soldiers must have all appropriate equipment, of the correct pattern. At a minimum this means correct belt and buckle, bread bag, canteen, and ammo pouches and bayonet appropriate for the weapon being carried. No captured equipment. Zeltbahns, whether used as a poncho or a tent, must be correct wartime camouflage, no post-war Austrian or BGS zelts.

--Weapon must be appropriate for the impression. The only weapons troops should be carrying are K98 rifles and either German or Italian machine guns, pistols and machine pistols. Czech VZ24 rifles are permitted but discouraged. No captured weapons of any kind are allowed. The standard infantry weapon of the German armed forces was the K98 rifle, so please use it.

Basic Authenticity Guidelines:

-No modern glasses or sunglasses, long hair, full beards, goatees or sideburns. If you show up with long hair or a beard you will have the option of cutting it off or going home. We will provide shaving cream and disposable razors to address problems on the spot. We also have a dull pair of hair clippers.

-Participants must be at least 16 years old to play any role in the event as a German, with or without a weapon. This is not Civil War, there were no drummer boys in the Wehrmacht.

-Women are welcome at the event only if portraying a female role (DRK nurse, Nachrichtenhelferin, etc.). Hair, fingernails and makeup must be appropriate for 1943.

-No women portraying field medics.

-Personal appearance must be appropriate for 1943. It's YOUR duty as a German WWII reenactor to know what's right and what's not for your impression.

-Camps will not be inspected but we would like them to be held to the same standard. Please, no modern tents, coolers in view etc...

Any unit with even low standards should be able to comply with these guidelines. I ask all German unit commanders to contact me to keep me informed on troop and equipment strength. It is the responsibility of unit commanders to ensure that this information is disseminated to your troops, ignorance of these guidelines is no excuse for failure to comply. We really want to have a good "time-trip" and have a good time doing it. Any questions on these subjects may be directed to me, look for my email address and phone number below. Please, serious questions only, I'm not looking to debate authenticity with anyone by e-mail. These are very minimal and basic standards. If you are planning to come to this event, violate these rules and assume nothing will be done, please stay home.

Sincerely,

Paul Meda

paulmeda@

508-476-1409

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