So You Want To Be A German Soldier?

Before we get started, let me give you a brief personal history of my experience in re-enacting. I started WWII re-enacting back in 1990 when good reproduction uniforms and equipment were scarce. WWII re-enacting was in it’s infancy and it was becoming more popular.

When I first joined a Waffen-SS unit, I had little knowledge of my newly chosen impression . I knew it was part of the German Armed Forces. I did not know that it originated from Hitler's Nazi regime and soon fought as part of the Heer (German Regular Army). As I researched my impression, I discovered the Waffen SS was created to be one of the elite branches in the German Army. They were given preferential treatment and equipped with the new camouflage clothing and the best equipment that the 1940’s Reichmark could buy, but I did not start out with an impression that reflected the elite status of the Waffen-SS. My first uniform was a East German tunic and trousers. I thought I was pretty sharp looking! As I did more research on my impression, that East German Tunic lost it’s appeal. I discovered my camouflage was printed on the wrong type of fabric, and it faded prematurely. I later found out that SS camouflage needs to be vibrant, to blend in with your surroundings. As I started looking at the photographs of the real German soldiers and looking at original tunics, I started to realize I did not have the correct uniform and equipment. So I started to look for equipment and uniforms that were original or a very close copies. As WWII re-enacting grew, more reproduction items became available. I have over $5000.00 invested in my kit. This is definitely a very expensive hobby if you want to do it right.

I believe in being a German soldier when I go to an event. I am willing to go 100% of the way to accomplish this. If you wish to be a German soldier too, it will take some effort on your part. Having an impeccable impression requires time, money and research. If you want to be the best, you have to go the distance. This requires an honest assessment of your impression and a constant effort for improvement. I have three categories for German re-enactors. The 25% category, the 50-60% category, and the die hards.

There are guys who just want to go 25% of the way. What I mean by 25% is they will wear a tunic & trousers (East German), equipment (post war and not converted), that kind of looks remotely close to the original, wear a real German helmet and have a K98. They have facial hair and don’t want to shave it off or have long hair and will try to hide it under the helmet. They don’t care about their camp or barracks impression. They will have modern tents and camping equipment. They eat pizza and other types of modern food. They have no tactical skill in the field or they resort to Civil War type tactics. They show no desire to upgrade their impression at all!

Then there are the guys who go 50% to 60%. These guys do care somewhat about there impression. They will have a Swedish tunic and trousers (converted), the proper camo, and some proper equipment (some of it might be close to the original, so they get by with that). Some have facial hair, but most do not. Usually have the proper haircut. Their tactics are good, but they would rather have the Allies attack them. Their camp impression is usually acceptable. They might have French, reproduction or original Zeltbahns and they have some modern camping equipment. They typically have modern food mixed with some period type food. They upgrade their impression when they feel like it, or when their unit forces them to. Their overall attitude is good, but they could put a little more effort in their impressions.

Then there are the real die hards, they go 90% to 95%! This type of guy cares about his overall impression and spares no expense to have the right stuff. They have exact reproduction uniforms, real or reproduction equipment and the proper camouflage. They even have the small personal items that a German soldier would carry with him. They do not have facial hair and have the proper haircut. They come to re-enactments with a rucksack (full of their equipment), clothing bag, uniform and weapon. They know German drill, commands, field tactics, and will attack the Allies every chance they get! They try to speak German out in the field. They will obey orders from a higher ranking officer (provided he is not in the 25% category with East German tunic covered in medals ). They have the proper camping equipment (repro or original Zeltbahns) and period style food (i.e. food that is wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string, cans with the proper labels or painted one color, and wine bottles with no modern labels). They go out of their way to hide any modern items that they might have by hiding a cooler in a wooden crate or covering a sleeping bag with a gray blanket). They try to learn and sing German War songs. They do not concern themselves with rank or medals. If there was reproduction German underwear they would wear it! They come to battles to be in uniform and to be with comrades that share the same ideals concerning the hobby. They care about their fellow unit member’s impression. These are the guys people love to take pictures of, because at events they ARE German soldiers. “Any day to be in uniform is a good day”, with these guys!

The purpose of this article is to enlighten fellow German re-enactors and potential re-enactors . Please do not take this as negative criticism, but constructive criticism for the German re-enactor. If this article causes you to assess your impression and make improvements I have achieved my purpose. I hope that I have not offended anyone and I apologize if I did. German re-enacting impressions must start with the individual. I hope that re-enacting continues to grow and become more authentic. Gott Mit Uns.