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WWII Reenacting: |
Ost Front Reenacting
Joining the Events
By: Manda L.
150th Rifle Div. (NWHA)
The NWHA's Russian unit, the 150th Rifle Division, has been in the club for two years now and has participated in a number of events with the German units. The membership has grown fast, and we now have over 20 members on the books, and at least 15 members with full equipment. We've created two large squads, each led by a sargeant, under the command of a junior officer. We're looking to add to our unit's overall impression by incorporating a medic and political officer, and having authentic rations and campsites.We feel like the interest is out there now to create a third squad and field a full platoon. This year we have two events scheduled, April 17/18 and June 12/13, both at Camp Adair. We're looking to sponsor events in the future that involve our parent unit in the CHG, along with unit trips down to California to participate in CHG and RPS events as a group. Here's how you can join.If you are already a member of any unit in the NWHA you can join the 150th! Just email the unit CO at za_rodina@nwha.org and ask to join. There are no unit dues or paperwork, we'll list you as a member doing a secondary impression with the club. Then you're welcome to join any Ost Front event during the year, it's that easy. We have loaner gear and will help you to get your kit together by recommending vendors. Russian reenacting is cheap and fun. There are now a number of good vendors for gear; this is one of the fastest growing areas in reenacting.
If you are not a member of the NWHA and want to participate in only Ost Front events you can join the 150th directly and we'll list you as a member doing a primary impression with us. You'll need to join the NWHA and pay your dues like everyone else, and you'll be a full member of the club with voting rights and all that. However, you will only be able to attend Ost Front events.Uniform and Equipment Standards
Unit Philosophy on Authenticity: The Red Army in WWII was composed of vast millions of men and women, all of who needed to be uniformed and equipped by the Soviet government. Although in some cases the issue uniform was anything but the standard, for the most part the average Red Army soldier was adequately and uniformly equipped for the task at hand. Through careful research of documents and photographic evidence, we as a unit have decided to portray the average Red Army soldier. Our Authenticity Standards reflect the appearance of the clear majority of the men and women who brought the Peasants and Workers Red Army to the ultimate and final victory of the The Great Patriotic War. Although our impression is reflective of the mid to later war period (1943-1945), we highly encourage members to have an early war (1939-1942) impression.
Primary Impression
With the victory at Stalingrad, as well as the setbacks of the first two years of the war, Stalin reintroduced a new uniform standard that was reminiscent of the Tsarist days. Though this would have been unthinkable in earlier days, Stalin saw that he needed to appeal to the Russian soldiers' sense of Patriotism to rally the Red Army into a fighting machine that could rival the German Wehrmacht. So, reminders of the glory days of Imperial Russia under the Tsars became part of the new Russian uniform.
Basic Impression
M43 Tunic (Gymnastiorka): Based on the traditional Russian garment, this "pullover" shirt/tunic had a stand up collar with two buttons, and a three button fly. The sleeve would have a coffin shaped reinforcement patch on the elbow, and the cuff also had two buttons. The enlisted version had no pockets, and would have had small black or OD painted buttons made of metal or bakelite. The color was "Zaschitniy Tsyvet", or khaki drab. However, dye colors in the Red Army were not entirely standardized, so colors ranging from darker browns to a near white green were used. Cotton for summer, wool for winter.
M43 Trousers (Sharovari): These trousers were actually more semi-breeches, as they had a regular waistband with belt loops and a half belt at the back, but flared out at the thigh, tapering down the leg to the knee where it would fit snug around the wearer's calf until it ended in an adjustable stirrup. Colors would be same for the tunic, though the colors for the set would not necessarily match. Same as above for weather.
Sidecap (Pilotka): This was for the majority of Russian soldiers the principal head gear worn both behind the lines and in combat. It is a simple style with a pleat at the top and an enameled star at the front, either unpainted with the red color, or painted a subdued OD. Colors are the same for tunic and trousers.
Footwear: Many soldiers wore the poor quality leather and canvas Sapogi jackboots, which were often quite loose so a soldier would be able to stuff them for warmth in winter. If he had low boots, they would be worn with wool or canvas puttees, wrapped around the calf from the ankle to the knee. The Red Army also issued many pairs of US Lend-lease boots and shoes, so these are acceptable. Captured German low boots and jackboots are also acceptable.
Canteen: A simple aluminum canteen with a screw on cap, in a khaki canvas cover. Canteens were also sometimes glass.
Ammo Pouch: While the standard issue was two, most soldiers in the Rifle Division were issued only one. A simple two pocket brown leather pouch with leather tap closures for mid war should be fine. Approved Reproductions or originals only.
Weapons: The standard issue firearm was the 91/30 Moisin Nagant Rifle in 7.62x54 caliber. Starting in the middle of the war many private soldiers began to get the PPsh-41 submachine gun in 7.62x25 caliber with the 72 round drum magazine. Either weapon is acceptable for use by soldiers. Weapons should have slings, and rifles should have cleaning rod and kit.
This list comprises the bare essentials that we as a unit expect new members to piece together. Uniform costs can be from $15 to $60 for post war tunics or pants, and $70 to $125 for a good repro. All uniforms must be approved by Unit Authenticity Officer.
Equipment is basic and cheap. $40-50 will get you the minimum, which is all the average soldier carried into combat.
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WWII Reenacting: |
Gold Beach
60 Years On
By: Rob M.
3rd Para Bde. (NWHA)
This June will see the 60th Anniversary of the "D-Day" landings at Normandy in 1944, made by the combined forces of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and France. This year's ceremonies have a special significance, for as we move further in time from those fateful historical events the original participants are ever fewer in number. This may perhaps be the last major ceremony at the Normandy landings in which the veterans themselves participate in large numbers. A number of heads-of-state have indicated that they will be attending, including the American President George W. Bush, the President of France Jacques Chirac, and the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The Royal Family is expected to send a representative as well. His Majesty the Prince of Wales, who has attended the ceremonies on previous occasions, holds the position of Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment, of which six battalions dropped on the night of June 5th-6th.Four members of the NWHA, including myself, will be taking part in commemoration ceremonies at the invasion beaches in Normandy, France. All of the attendees are members of the club's British 3rd Para Brigade, the others being Tony S., Bob H., and Russ B.
A former German casement on Gold Beach
Over a year of planning and arrangements have already gone into our attendance. As a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity it was very important to all of us to find a group that was dedicated to setting up a rigorously authentic display. Most groups in the UK have a very high reputation for authenticity and are very experienced in setting up appropriate historical displays, so we felt confident we could find a good match. More than anything, we've worried over our own impressions, researching period photos and texts and discussing uniform details.Early on we felt we wanted to move away from the airborne impression for this event. We felt that the airborne impression may sometimes play too large a role in both living history and reenactment events, and we wanted to attend in a role that was as representative as possible of the common experience for the veterans. After deciding on infantry we had to face the problem of firearms, which simply could not be brought over as part of our equipment. We quickly settled on the medical impression as an appropriate alternative.We spent several months sending out emails to contacts in Europe inquiring about the events to see who would be there. Eventually we were led to the "Gold Beach 60 Years On" group. What struck us about this group was the high level of organization they showed, the very clear mission statement, and high authenticity standards. Attendance was invitation only, and so we begged an invite that was graciously extended. We feel that the standards of our unit and the club helped work as references for our own standards.Once we established our contacts and our impression we had to hunt to find the specialized medical equipment we would need. Each member had to research their role and understand what gear they would carry. Elheran F. of the CHG, who's primary impression is Airborne RAMC (and who has been our very welcome guest at several NWHA events) provided invaluable information, both from his own extensive knowledge and his contacts with published experts in the UK. We have also received a great deal of support from the UK members of the RAMC group, who have offered to loan or purchase items of kit that are either unavailable or too large to pack over, such as tents.The Gold Beach 60 Years On group has made arrangements with the village of Ver sur Mer to create a camp at the village. Ver sur Mer, with a population of around 1500 people, is directly off of the Gold Beach landing areas. It is just east Arromanches, the site of the one of the large 'Mulberry' man-made, floating harbors. Ver sur Mer is also the site of the America-Gold Beach Museum, which is also a sponsor of the group's encampment. The village has given space to the group and permission to dig correct positions.
Memorial to British troops in Ver sur Mer
Attendance with the Gold Beach 60 Years On group is being limited to the historically correct units that were at that location in 1944. The organizers are anticipating approximately 100 participants and 20 vehicles from a range of units and impressions. An artillery unit (with several 25pders), signalers with two radio trucks, reconnaisance with two armored cars, infantry, anti-aircraft, intelligence and ATS units are committed. All are wearing the badges of the British 50th Division (Tyne Tees). This allows for a fantastic grouping of the various services that made up an all-arms combat unit in WWII, while still maintaining the cohesion of a single impression.
50th Northumbrian Division insignia
Our own small group's impression will be the Royal Army Medical Corps. Attending as stretcher-bearers and orderlies (medics), we will join several RAMC reenactors in the UK, including our CO and doctor, a chaplain, and an ambulance driver with an original Ford medical truck. We will set up an Advanced Dressing Station with medical displays, including treating wounded. Orderlies will be attached to infantry units for tactical demonstrations.
RAMC insignia
RAMC cap badge
As expected there will be a lot of activities over the course of the anniversary. The camp will open on Friday, June 4th, and the group will set up its displays. Saturday, June 5th, is expected to be the busiest day for visitors. The group will put on their individual displays, with an emphasis on constant activities for the public to view, with such things as vehicle maintenance, improving defensive positions, drill, weapons training, and fieldcraft instructions. On Sunday, June 6th, the participants are given leave to attend the ceremony of their choice, to pay their respects to the fallen in the way they choose. Monday, June 7th, the camp will return to a day of displays and activity, followed by a period dance in the village of Ver sur Mer.Stay tuned for the pictures and stories from this event!
