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{{Coatrack|date=October 2017|details=this article lacks a basic overview of the subject and instead is an expanded criticism section of select aspects of the subject, using a [[WP:WEIGHT|limited selection of sources]].}}
[[File:Bitwa o Berlin rekonstrukcja.JPG|thumb|A reenactment of fighting during the [[Battle of Berlin]]]]
[[File:Bitwa o Berlin rekonstrukcja.JPG|thumb|A reenactment of fighting during the [[Battle of Berlin]]]]
[[File:Bedford petrol Bowser & Hurricane (9649222728).jpg|thumb|A reenactment of a forward airfield in France: a [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] petrol bowser and a [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighter. ]]
[[File:Bedford petrol Bowser & Hurricane (9649222728).jpg|thumb|A reenactment of a forward airfield in France: a [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] petrol bowser and a [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighter. ]]
'''World War II reenactment''' is the [[historical reenactment]] of the various combatants involved in [[World War II]]. The types of events include [[living history]], which emphasises the garrison life of the average serviceman or servicewoman, and [[tactical event]]s, involving simulated combat operations. The hobby has expanded significantly since the 1970s and is now practiced around the world.{{snf|Flagel|2012|p=342}}
'''World War II reenactment''' is the [[historical reenactment]] of the various combatants involved in [[World War II]]. The types of events include [[living history]], which emphasises the garrison life of the average serviceman or servicewoman, and [[tactical event]]s, involving simulated combat operations. The hobby has expanded significantly since the 1970s and is now practiced around the world.{{snf|Flagel|2012|p=342}}


Some reenactment includes [[Waffen-SS]] units, the [[paramilitary]] force of the [[Nazi Party]] in [[Nazi Germany]]. Although banned in Germany and Austria, SS reenacting groups exist elsewhere, including in Europe and North America. By the end of the 1990s there were 20 Waffen-SS reenactment groups in the United States.{{sfn|Smelser|Davies|2008|pp=226}} Historians Charles Sydnor and [[Robert M. Citino|Rob Citino]], have been critical of the ethics and historical context of Waffen-SS reenactments.{{sfn|The Atlantic|2010}}
==Background==
Some reenactment includes [[Waffen-SS]] units, the [[paramilitary]] force of the [[Nazi Party]] in [[Nazi Germany]]. Although banned in Germany and Austria, SS reenacting groups exist elsewhere, including in Europe and North America. By the end of the 1990s there were 20 Waffen-SS reenactment groups in the United States.{{sfn|Smelser|Davies|2008|pp=226}} Historians Charles Sydnor and [[Robert M. Citino|Rob Citino]] have been critical of the ethics and historical context of Waffen-SS reenactments.{{sfn|The Atlantic|2010}}


Within the UK, a number of events only allow the portrayal of Allied service personnel and ban the wearing of any German uniform featuring symbols of the Third Reich. In some cases, events permit only Heer, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, whilst specifically refusing any SS uniforms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nazi uniforms banned at Lancashire Railway WWII event|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-13572992|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=21 December 2014|author=|date=27 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nazi uniforms banned from 1940s weekend after visitors came as SS officers|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9329730/Nazi-uniforms-banned-from-1940s-weekend-after-visitors-came-as-SS-officers.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|accessdate=21 December 2014|author=|date=13 June 2012}}</ref>
Within the UK, a number of events only allow the portrayal of Allied service personnel and ban the wearing of any German uniform featuring symbols of the Third Reich. In some cases events permit only Heer, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, whilst specifically refusing any SS uniforms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nazi uniforms banned at Lancashire Railway WWII event|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-13572992|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=21 December 2014|author=|date=27 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nazi uniforms banned from 1940s weekend after visitors came as SS officers|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9329730/Nazi-uniforms-banned-from-1940s-weekend-after-visitors-came-as-SS-officers.html|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|accessdate=21 December 2014|author=|date=13 June 2012}}</ref>

==Controversy==
In 2007, BBC investigative reporter [[John Sweeney (journalist)|John Sweeney]] produced a documentary entitled ''Weekend Nazis'' that delved into the reenactment scene in the UK. Members of German units, especially the [[Second Battle Group]] (SBG)), were interviewed and investigated about their hobby. Two SBG members were covertly filmed expressing racist views. The documentary was broadcast on 27 August 2007; in the ensuing controversy, the SBG issued a statement through their lawyers: "The views alleged to have been made by members of the SBG are, in the opinion of the SBG, fascist, racist and utterly reprehensible and as such are views we strongly oppose."<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1561261/Neo-Nazis-infiltrate-WWII-re-enactment-group.html| work=Daily Telegraph| date=2007-08-27| title=Neo-Nazis infiltrate WWII re-enactment group| accessdate=2007-09-05 | location=London | first=Graham | last=Tibbetts}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Rich Iott]], a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidate for US Congress, came under intense scrutiny after images were released showing him wearing an SS uniform.{{sfn|The Atlantic|2010}} Iott defended his interest in historical reenactment.<ref>{{cite web|title=House Candidate Rich Iott Defends Nazi Uniform Photos|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tea-party-nazi-reenactor-rick-iott-defends/story?id=11845422/64319/|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=22 December 2014|author=|date=8 October 2010}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 00:27, 11 April 2018

A reenactment of fighting during the Battle of Berlin
A reenactment of a forward airfield in France: a Bedford petrol bowser and a Hawker Hurricane fighter.

World War II reenactment is the historical reenactment of the various combatants involved in World War II. The types of events include living history, which emphasises the garrison life of the average serviceman or servicewoman, and tactical events, involving simulated combat operations. The hobby has expanded significantly since the 1970s and is now practiced around the world.[1]

Some reenactment includes Waffen-SS units, the paramilitary force of the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany. Although banned in Germany and Austria, SS reenacting groups exist elsewhere, including in Europe and North America. By the end of the 1990s there were 20 Waffen-SS reenactment groups in the United States.[2] Historians Charles Sydnor and Rob Citino, have been critical of the ethics and historical context of Waffen-SS reenactments.[3]

Within the UK, a number of events only allow the portrayal of Allied service personnel and ban the wearing of any German uniform featuring symbols of the Third Reich. In some cases events permit only Heer, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, whilst specifically refusing any SS uniforms.[4][5]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Flagel 2012, p. 342.
  2. ^ Smelser & Davies 2008, pp. 226.
  3. ^ The Atlantic 2010.
  4. ^ "Nazi uniforms banned at Lancashire Railway WWII event". BBC. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Nazi uniforms banned from 1940s weekend after visitors came as SS officers". The Telegraph. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2014.

Bibliography