What would you want?

What would you want from a web site for re-enactors? I am currently helping a friend get one up and running and am looking for ideas for what could go on it, so far we have re-enactors biographies (period ones), articles on kit and events, impressions and some historical information.

 

Good one Stef, I'd personally want to see a horses for courses approach, like William suggested. ie based on location of reenactor, budget, age, attitude and most importantly what one wants to get out of it. When this criteria is worked out, your site can popup a referral to people/places that would suit them.

That's probably the only thing I'd want that has not been done before by another website.

 

Sounds good but I am not sure how it would be achieved. One thing I was thinking was under the 'essential kit' for each impression have different levels, so you would see the kit one would need for a basic impression (e.g. converted uniforms and so on), a more complex one (more authentic uniforms and such) and then some odds and ends that will further improve the impression (personal documents and such). How does that sound?

 

That'd work, however in practice it would be down to the reenactment organisation's policies.

For instance, a Basic Kit that you put down on your site may be good enough for, say, ABRO but may not be good enough for SBG.

 

Yeah, well I would be thinking of the basic kit list being what I would see as the absolute basics (without being farby ).

 

Stefan,

One thing to think about when showing off kit is to show it worn and explained as "mounted" and "dismounted." This is good for showing what a soldat should be wearing when fighting from a vehicle and as a ground pounder.

Langemann

 

Good idea, I think we may be focusing on infantryfor the moment. Just out of interest, do you know if there is any particular mounted configuration for the e-tool, its a right pain when one is sitting down?

 

Stefan,

If you were actually considered a "mounted" infantryman, Then you would not wear the e-tool while in your APC or vehicle. It, along with your gas mask/cannsiter, mess tin, zeltbahn, and or A-frame/Rucksack would all be left hanging inside or outside the vehicle.

If you were being transported from one place to another, typically you would wear only your belt, buckle, and sidearm (bayonet/pistol) and all of your other equipment would be stowed in your rucksack, A-Frame, or Affe.

For us reenactors who use transportation to get us into "battle" we're just kinda screwed. There's no real way to wear the e-tool to make riding comfortable.

Langemann

 

Stef, I know you are concentrating on infantry, but one thing I have not seen much off is a kit description, and its placement for fallshirmjager.

The fascination for this type of soldier is only tempered by its high cost to start, but it would be a good alternative to the ever increasing number of SS impressions out there, very soon, the number of SS reenactors will outnumber the Wehrmacht, ... realistic huh?

 

Actually at most battles we outnumber the allies, let alone the wehrmacht. There are loads of FJ blokes out there, well worth looking into.

 

Stefan,
This may fall under the "impressions" heading, and you may have already thought of this, but a section on "pocket stuffers"-period items you can carry to help flesh out an impression-photos, pay books, newspapers, the list can go on forever. I find that area on of the more fun and interesting aspects in an impression.

Wm.T.

 

Thats a great idea William, a bit of a must I think. If anyone would be willing to help out with some of the site then let me know, anything, articles, information, advice, its all good.

Oh, and thanks Langmann for the help, I will see what I can do about an article on that.

 

Well, I'd be willing to help a bit on the personal item side.

What types of things would you want-ideas on what to carry, input from vets, photos, etc?

Bear in mind my input would be overwhelmingly GI, but if interested, send me a PM of what you want, when, etc, etc, etc.

Wm.T.

 

Maybe not the right thread, but here goes.
Are there such things as re-enactors for the RAMC, RASC, Royal Corps of Signals etc? Would your forum reflect these, Stefan?
From a "Layman's" point of view, it would make the site seem more realistic, rather than being for Gung-Ho types only.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Actually there are very few people who re-enact those units, though there are pioneers, signallers and such. I am working on a British Royal Engineers impression and a German Pioneer impression for public shows so with luck the site will reflect that kind of thing. Once the site is up and running I intend to get some information on about building defenses, mine laying etc.

Incidentally the site can be found at www.wwiitech.net

 

Ah, right.
Reason for asking was that I'm a Radio Ham, and I know there are clubs for our lot who buy and restore vintage military radio equipment and then use it on air. They even have their own particular frequency and network for yacking.
Point is, I don't actually know any of them personally, but I remember going to see a Classic Car show at Ingliston near Edinburgh years ago, and the military section had a restored Bedford Signals truck with a mannekin in BD. The owners had a recording of actual sigs traffic playing, to give atmosphere.
That was right up my street, and you would probably find the Valves and Vintage wallahs might get interested in re-enacting (and getting on air even more often!)if your website reflected their interests.

Just a thought. Like the site, btw.

Regards,
Gordon

[ 06. January 2004, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: The_Historian ]

 

Thanks, sounds good, though I doubt we have the expertise to write about something that specialist. If we get anyone who knows more about such things volunteering to help out rest assured we will get a couple of pages up ASAP.

Thanks for the compliment, the site is improving all the time though our webmaster just had a kid so hasn't been able to do much recently.

 

Stefan,
Well, I'm a Ham. My old man was a signalman; dare say I could knock something up if you so desired.

Regards,
Gordon

[ 06. January 2004, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: The_Historian ]

 

Sorry, that wasn't a thinly veiled request for help, honest .

Seriously though, anything you could offer would be of great help. Maybe once we get the site up and running you would be able to write something about allied radio protocol or signals systems? I would be most greatful of any help you are willing to give.

 

Stefan,
No probs. Give me a shout when the websites' running and I'll see what I can do.

Regards,
Gordon