Nerdy, clunky and uncool?

[Spare_Man]

I have a nephew who is obsessed with WWII and can’t wait to become a WWII reenactor when he's old enough. The bug bit him hard mostly because of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. He thinks the Civil War is interesting, but movies like Gettysburg and Gods & Generals seem very slow, clunky and downright embarrassing to him. He thinks "Glory" is the only CW movie that deserves to live another minute and I tend to agree with him. But WWII is “da bomb." Even his cool friends don’t think it’s nerdy for him to be into WWII as it would be if he was into CW.

Ouch! Man, that hurt.

So, what do you think? Is WWII draining CW reenacting of it's seedcorn? Is CW too clunky, too nerdy and just plain uncool?

[Trooper Graham]

I have a nephew who is obsessed with WWII and can’t wait to become a WWII reenactor when he's old enough. The bug bit him hard mostly because of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. He thinks the Civil War is interesting, but movies like Gettysburg and Gods & Generals seem very slow, clunky and downright embarrassing to him. He thinks "Glory" is the only CW movie that deserves to live another minute and I tend to agree with him. But WWII is “da bomb." Even his cool friends don’t think it’s nerdy for him to be into WWII as it would be if he was into CW.

Ouch! Man, that hurt.





So, what do you think? Is WWII draining CW reenacting of it's seedcorn? Is CW too clunky, too nerdy and just plain uncool?

One thing about authenticity for WWII hobbyists, it's cheaper unless you want a restored Willys to ride around in. Uniforms both authentic and authentic replicas are easy to be had except authentic airborne gear such as an original half moon fix bale M1 helmet and the same goes for an original jump suit but real good repros can be had for US, British and German at a decent price.
As for the historical aspect you're sort of confined to all simulated battlefields since all were in Europe so here it's more cowboys and Indians type acting.
CW, other than being expensive, has the advantage of being where it happened. WWI and II, unless you're part of a European group, is only enthusiasts without the authentic battleground to reenact on. To me that is nerdy.

[sbl]

...heck, several OLD guys (older than me) from the 5th NHV went over to WWI and II.

"One thing about authenticity for WWII hobbiest,(sic) it's cheaper unless you want a restored Willys to ride around in."

These guys DO! Two Jeeps now I think.

I thought WWII was not for me as the small amount of camp life I saw was happening over with the Germans. (cuter girlfriends too)

As I grew up with WWII era GI Issue parents, I had some clue as to the "1st person" and I didn't see it in the camp I went to, just Viet Nam slang. (Your experiences may vary.)

I like the shoulder to shoulder line tactics and SEEING the smoke of who's shooting at me. The WW II squad tactics just seemed like Cowboys and Indians to me.

An aside was that just after I started WW II, I lost my job and you can guess which kit was sold.

"...slow, clunky and downright embarrassing.."

Oh ....that's Rev War.

[Army30th]

You honestly believe that WW2 reenacting is cheaper than CW???

Let me educate you: The following is just the price for some items from two "nameless" vendors


M41 field jacket 175.00
M43 field jacket 190.00
M43 Airborne Field Uniform set 300.00
Field Jacket buttons 7.00 EACH
Enlisted OD Shirts 75.00
Enlisted OD Trousers 145.00
OD Web Belts with Square open face buckles 20.00
Service shoes/boots 150.00
Overseas cap "piss-cutter" 30.00
Haversack 60.00
Canteen cover 20.00
Cartridge belt 90.00
Helmet various prices but upwards of 100 dollars.
Class A uniform Jacket 160.00


Now take into consideration that each man needs one each of the following just just to be uniform:

Jacket 175.00
OD Shirt 75.00
OD Pants 145.00
Belt 20.00
Shoes 150.00
Cap 30.00

Total for the above: 595.00

Now this does not include: Blankets, Haversack, Ammo Belt, Suspenders, E-tool, E-tool cover, Tent, sleeping bag, leggings, rain coat, overcoat, footlocker, Class A Uniform, toiletries, Items for footlocker, mess kit (plate, cup, canteen, canteen cover, knife, fork, spoon), neckties, handkerchiefs, etc ad nauseum.

Weapons: Well, WW2 weapons can only be purchased from private individuals, gun shops, or Federal Government licensed dealers. These can range from the 319 dollars I paid for my Garand to several thousands of dollars for Machine guns. Firing reproductions cannot by law be made of many of the weapons used in this war. And reproductions are not available period of any of the weapons that the average soldier would carry.

European reenactors of any sort have a far more difficult time reenacting than we do. When was the last time you went to a reenactment and RENTED your rifle for the day??

The uniform authenticity requirements for WW2 reenacting are WAAAYYY superior to Civil War. The clothing is so spot-on that many manufacturers stopped putting the reproduction "original" garment tags on their clothing because they were being sold as original garments to the unsuspecting. You cannot participate in a full-blown reenactment without a specific minimum of gear. Truely authentic WW2 reenactors do not go "rambo" but follow CORRECT period tactics from original manuals, not something an "arm-chair" General dreamed up while supping on popcorn watching "A Bridge Too Far".

OK so maybe I started my own little war. It just so happens that I do both CW and WW2 and my impression for WW2 fills a small storage unit, whereas everything I own for CW can be kept in the house. You cannot tell me that WW2 is cheaper, because it just ain't so.

[JEBeedle]

I have a nephew who is obsessed with WWII and can’t wait to become a WWII reenactor when he's old enough. The bug bit him hard mostly because of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. He thinks the Civil War is interesting, but movies like Gettysburg and Gods & Generals seem very slow, clunky and downright embarrassing to him. He thinks "Glory" is the only CW movie that deserves to live another minute and I tend to agree with him. But WWII is “da bomb." Even his cool friends don’t think it’s nerdy for him to be into WWII as it would be if he was into CW.

Ouch! Man, that hurt.

So, what do you think? Is WWII draining CW reenacting of it's seedcorn? Is CW too clunky, too nerdy and just plain uncool?

It sounds like your son wants to do more cowboy and Indians than having to stand in line and listen to orders.

I would try to encourage him to try both and see what he likes the best because it sounds like he is judging what war to reenact by what movie he likes the most. Also it sounds like he is making his decision base on his friends and that is a dead end road.

I started reenacting when I was in high school and I was never made fun of or was called a nerd.

I don't think that WW2 is having a big influence on CW reenacting I have seen ww2 reenactors and they don’t seem to put to many men in the field and they are not very well organized.

[Trooper Graham]

When was the last time you went to a reenactment and RENTED your rifle for the day??


.

I carried a deactivated Thompson A1 while I was in Europe. I could have activated by inserting a battlefield found bolt.

You can buy a good M42 Jump Suit on eBay right now for $99.00.

And don't forget this country is swamped with Army-Navy Stores. One shop I went to after Saving Private Ryan was filmed had some of the uniforms and helmet used and they were cheaper than the prices you quoted above.

The uniform I put together while in Europe completely came from eBay and every piece was authentic. The most I paid was $550.00 for my Thompson and that came off the German market. The largest reenacting WWII group complete with vehicles including armor in Europe is a group called "Kelly's Heroes".

[madisontigers]

Wow, if you think most of WWII stuff is cheap, let me introduce you to the Deutsch side, both WWI, and WWII. Now, considering that we are talking about authenticity, I wont mention the majority of vendors providing German stuff. In order to get started in an "authentic" German WWII unit, you need well over $1,000. I'll give you a good estimate below:

I. Bleuse... Janke ... $430

II. Hosen... Janke... $220

III. M-43 cap (good repop)... $50-$70

IV. Hemd (shirt)... $50

V. Steinhelm (helmet) depending on what model, shell price around $150, w/liner around $200

VI. Canteen... $50-$80

VII. Bread Bag $20-$50

VIII. Gas mask canister w/out gas mask... $75+

IX. Belt $25

X. Buckle... $30-$100 (ORIGINAL)

XI. K-98 karbine... $300+

Bayonet $50+

Ankle boots... $200+

Now, AS YOU WELL KNOW WITH reenacting, I have left some of the extras out. Owning a mantel (overcoat), and other extras, will put your investment well above $1,000. WWI is remotely similar, but now there i s a source for uniforms that will save the reenactor a little bit of $.

David Long

[Trooper Graham]

You cannot tell me that WW2 is cheaper, because it just ain't so.

Been there Done that.....in Europe with groups from Germany, Belguim and Holland.

[Trooper Graham]

Steinhelm(helmet)







David Long

Stahlhelm and it depends upon what model.

[madisontigers]

[QUOTE=JEBeedle]It sounds like your son wants to do more cowboy and Indians than having to stand in line and listen to orders.

I would try to encourage him to try both and see what he likes the best because it sounds like he is judging what war to reenact by what movie he likes the most. Also it sounds like he is making his decision base on his friends and that is a dead end road.

I started reenacting when I was in high school and I was never made fun of or was called a nerd.

I don't think that WW2 is having a big influence on CW reenacting I have seen ww2 reenactors and they don’t seem to put to many men in the field and they are not very well organized.[/QUOTE

Mr. Beedle, I agree with most of what you have said. I don't think that a good number of guys are leaving C.W. to do WWI & WWII, but some are. However, there are quite a few guys, from the C.W. community, who are now partaking in WWI, as well as WWII reenacting. So, most guys are simply adding another time-period to their belts. I have done C.W. for almost fourteen years, Rev war for one year, and WWII for two years. I did get out of WWII for a stint, but I am now getting back into both, WWI ....and WWII. I think that the organization is a little better in WWI....when comparing it toWWII, but I don't believe that all WWII guys are playing cowboys & Indians. Having said that, I do believe that a good deal of WWII events are, indeed turning into..... the "shootout at the Ok Coral," type of events.
I would suggest that your son pick the time period to reenact of his choice. Advise him to do the time period he is most interested in. IMHO, if one choses to reenact because of more- shooting,running around, and playing, then he is getting into the hobby for the wrong reasons.

Dave Long