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Links: Interested in what other reenactor groups are up to? Need a piece of gear to complete that impression? Looking for interesting internet sites on World War 2? This section of the newsletter contains links to selected reenactor groups and WW2 sites, along with a large listing of local and national vendors for books, equipment and firearms. |
Reenactor Net
The Reenactor Net is one of the largest and most comprehensive sites for reenactors of any era. The site is divided into sections by "time/area" or "T/A". Each T/A is focused on a popular period for reenacting or living history. There are T/A's for the American Civil War, Western Frontier, WWI, WWII and many others. Each T/A is managed by a different person who has an interest in that time period.
The World War 2 section has a wealth of information for reenactors. It contains a large listing of units, a calendar of events in the USA and Europe, a bibliography of historical sources and a number of interesting articles on reenacting. The Reenactor Net is also the home of the WW2 Web Ring, German Reenacting Web Ring, and the WW2 email listbot.To visit this website go to:
> www.reenactor.net
Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
This unit reenacts a section of B Company, the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, with membership coming primarily from the Mid-Atlantic United States. The group attends both living history and reenacting events. Their website is a real veteran of the internet, having received a large number of web site awards for design and content. Their history and uniform sections are detailed and informative, with a number of clear and large-sized pictures.To visit this unit's website go to:
> www.ccone.com/ww2/queens_own_rifles/
Second Battle Group
The Second Battle Group, located in the UK, is a veteran reenactment and living history group who portray grenadiers of the 1st SS Panzer Division. Having formed in 1978, the group now hosts an excellent web site with a number of interesting pages. The site has many pictures from both reenactments and living history display, which reflect their emphasis on historical accuracy.
Members and associates of the Second Battle Group have an impressive array of vehicles, including: a Pzkpfw III Auf M, a 1947 Czech Tatra, a Mercedes radio truck, an Opel Blitz, a German built Ford 3 ton truck, several Schwimwagens and Kubelwagens, Kettenkrads, a weapons carrier, and a 105mm howitzer. Several of these vehicles have their own page showing details and restoration.
This group also has an impressive portfolio of appearances in print and film. Members of the Second Battle Group were used as extras for Saving Private Ryan (the SS infantry in the final town battle) and Steel Tempest, as well as appearances in Discovery and History channel programs.To visit this unit's website go to:
> www3.mistral.co.uk/sbg1/battlegr.htm
They Drew Fire
Front-line artists in WW2
"I remember the young soldier well, he screamed, he was just out of control, and he screamed, and there was another soldier next to him who consoled him, and embraced him. That was a moving moment for me, to see that compassion in combat. And these are the things a person feels when he's in proximity to death-- his buddy, that next human being, that person in the foxhole is the most important person in your life."-- Howard Brodie, US Army artist during WW2
As a group, the front-line American war correspondents are quite well known. Their counterparts who captured scenes of combat through pictures rather than words are less well recognized, though they showed a similar willingness to serve alongside the men at the front who bore the brunt of combat.
The Public Broadcasting System has created a web-site companion to a program that aired in May, 2000, showing the works of a number of American war artists. The images, one of which is shown above, are not propaganda posters; they are scenes from the lives of the troops. Some images on this site show scenes of graphic violence and are probably not appropriate for everyone. However, it provides an important reminder of the sacrifices of those we remember through reenacting and living history.
To visit this website go to:
> www.pbs.org/theydrewfire/index.html
Swing Radio
Did you know that your computer might just be the best radio in your house? What else could play thousands of different stations from around the world without any distortion or interference? With higher transfer rates becoming the standard internet radio broadcasts have grown in popularity. There are two types of internet radio stations: those that broadcast on the internet in addition to their normal AM/FM broadcast, and those that only broadcast on the internet. A listing of internet radio stations can be found using any search page, such as Yahoo, AltaVista, or MSN. You will need special software to hear the broadcast, but the most common 'players', RealPlayer and WinAmp, are free and quick to download and install.
Swing Radio is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week internet-only radio station. It plays a wide variety of vintage music, including swing, big band, jazz, and ballads.To visit this website go to:
> www.swingradio.com
| Selected Reenactor and WW2 sites continued.... |
European Air War
This picture was taken from the computer game "European Air War", a World War Two flight simulator made by the company Microprose. This game has a number of qualities which recommend it. The graphics perform smooth on the PC's released over the last few years. The rolling landscapes and broad rivers of Britain and France are rendered well, as are realistic clouds and haze. Some of the best moments of the game are prior to dog-fights; looking over your shoulder at a squadron of Spitfires as you patrol over the cliffs of Dover or seeing fifty or more B-17s in formation as high escort in a P-51.
Single combat missions or entire pilot careers can be flown. One can choose either an American, British, or German pilot, and from a selection of over 20 aircraft, including the Me-262. The career missions show a great deal of historical accuracy. For example, as a Hurricane pilot in the Battle of Britain campaign you first meet German raids on channel convoys, composed of mostly Ju-87s and Me-110s. Later, you will find yourself scrambling to repel attacks on your airfields. Finally, you will fly in multi-squadron defenses of London against literally hundreds of bombers and escorts. A number of realism settings are available to make the planes easier to fly (and shoot down). A joystick is a must, as you normally control the plane with the joystick and the movement of your 'head' in the cockpit with the mouse. This allows you to bank in one direction while looking in another direction.
To visit the official website of Microprose go to:
> www.microprose.com/gamesdesign/eaw/
Clothing & Gear
1944 Militaria
AB Militaria
Air Diggers - RAF/RCAF Items
An Der Front
Bayonet Inc.
Bill Beadling Military Collectables
Bill Bureau's Military
Castle Keep
Ian Kelly Militaria
King and Country Miniatures
King and Country Reproductions
Lost Battalions
Mess Dress
Michel Perrier
The Military Collectors Exchange
Polar Bear Enterprises
Q.M. Stores
Sentimental Journey
Silvermans Ltd
S.M. Wholesale
Special Air Services
Spitfire Militaria Online
Sportsmans Guide
SRS Surplus - British Cap Badges
Stewart's Military Antiques
WWII Impressions
What Price Glory
World Militaria Supplies
WorldWide Militaria Exchange
Firearms & Accessories
Century Arms
Gun Parts Corp (Numrich)
Guns America Classifieds
IAR (blank firing guns)
IMA
Inter Ordnance
Joe Swanson blanks
Ohio Ordnance
Sarco Inc
Subguns.com
Western Firearms
Books
Jerboa-Redcaps Books
Moose Lake Publishing (email only)
Scholars Bookshelf
Service Publications - Clive Law
Zenith Books
