Reenacting WWII As Allied And Axis Soldiers

World War 2 seems like a distant memory.  Think about this for a moment.  The second world war begun in 1939, that is over 80 years, this year to be exact it will be 82 years.  it lasted 6 years, ending in1945, that is oh lets see, 76 years since the last round was fired.

There are not many veterans left, in fact if we go back and look at the first world war there are none, zero.  The second world war it is estimated that 300,000 vets are still alive today.  During the war 300 million soldiers saw combat the biggest numbers coming from the U.S. Germany, Russia and Japan.  To say it was bloody is an understatement, estimates number the dead between 40 and 120 million civilian and soldiers combined.   

Why am I pointing this out, well because there are people out there running around in the countryside reenacting battles and yes they dress in period costume, allied and axis alike.  It's quite interesting a bit controversial and a hobby that really takes up time and energy.  

Vice did a report on reenactors who play the role of German combatants check out the video on YouTube.  I also found an interesting YouTube channel called wwIIFreak001 that features a reenactor.  And yes he does dress in the field uniform of the SS. 

There has been some controversy about the inclusion of reenactors who play the role of the German, in 2018 a railway in Yorkshire England stopped allowing reenactors who portrayed the Germans from participating in the reenactment.  The Story comes from indy100.com.  History is messy and sad but important to recount.  Hence my posting today.  Please note I am in no way a supporter of any ideology that promotes harm to any group in any form.  I do not condone or support the existence of any hate group such as the KKK or white supremist groups.  This post is to showcase reenactors portraying life as soldiers of a unit in the military during the second world war from the perspective of allied and axis views.  Just like me these groups shun ideology but do not shy away from showing what it was like to be a part of the unit they represent.  

A list of reenactor groups found on Milsurpia's website.

Another reenactors list composed of German units and the main page is at http://www.worldwartwohrs.org/index.htm.  I am sure there are others out there so look around.

Thanks for reading and have a super weekend.  

Cliff T.

 

By the left QUICK-----MARCH!! - The history of close order and combat drill

When I was a teen I joined and was part of the Army Cadets.  My unit CC1979 sponsored by the Canadian Grenadier Guards held our parades and did our courses at Centennial Regional High, the corps was asked to find new quarters and now trains in a different location, for more info visit the Facebook page.  

Part of what cadets reservists and regular CF members do is something called Close Order Drill.  Why?  I duno is not the correct answer LOL.  The answer is really straight forward, it's designed to train members of the unit to move in a uniformed manner, to develop teamwork and to provide members the opportunity to gain  confidence and trust in the leadership training the team.  To give you an idea of what close order drill looks like see  the picture below.  It is of me in 2019 waiting to go on parade during a reunion of my corps.

As you can see in the photo to the left there are two groups to the right are the alumni to the left the current compliment comprising CC1979.  We are at attention just so you know I am the dude in the yellow shirt.  This is close order drill.  Besides standing at attention we also did other drill movements, marching, open order and close order march the dress right etc.  There is a set of procedure movements for the platoon as well as the company Sargent Major and those who carry rifles and flags all done a certain way and all designed to show orders can be given and taken and executed in an even flow with confidence and precision.  Though for the older crew it was a bit rusty as some, like me had not done drill in years, not worry it is like riding a bike you never really forget drill.

The second form of drill, and FYI army cadets, do not do this one, is called Combat or Battle drill.  In the early days of warfare soldiers moved in a certain way on the field of battle, one was called the Phalanx developed by the romans.  These were set movements designed to guide large battle groups in the process of move and engagement on the filed.  Today battle drill like the Phalanx is not taught as weapons modern to the filed would simply wipe such formations out in seconds.  Instead battle drill is the art of learning who is in command of sections, platoons and larger formations and how to engage with modern weapons.  Training such as how to clear a room or use a General Purpose Machine gun while moving are taught.  Both sets of drill are important and there is an  interesting history to how drill evolved.  Take a look at this article from the Britannica site that speaks about how these drills evolved.  

Below are some videos about trainign in the military.  The first is season one of Basic UP.  This show followed CF members through the training regimen.  It shows both drill sets.  The second video is of a room clearing exercise, commonly know as Battle / Combat Drill.  The last two videos below show Close Order drill.  While I am a proud Canadian and support of the CF I have to give props to the Marines, these guys are the best when it comes to CO drill. 

Thanks for dropping into the site.  And for those who serve and have served thank you for what you do to keep our country safe.

Cliff T.
 

Every Child Matters - 215 - Kamloops BC Residential School

 

Reports are now surfacing that the remains of the 215 children who died at a residential school from the period 1890-1969 could reveal how they died and who they were.  You can read the article on the National Post Website. 

Out of respect I will not be adding additional links or commentary.  I would encourage your own journey to learn more about Canada's not so pleasant past and some of the current issues facing this country today.

Thanks for reading.

Cliff T.