The Reenactor's Corner

As temperatures drop and the days get shorter across North America and Europe here is  another chance to hear an epsiode originally recorded back in October 2022 when Chris and Ben Tracey discussed why Fall is, in their opinion, perhaps the best time of the year to reenact WW2 in the field. Let us know if you agree ? As ever, a very big thank you to all our Patrons for their support - we really co...

At the age of just 31 Gunter Rapp already has 20 year of reenacting under his belt. Starting out with Colonial Period living history at 11 years of age he then moved onto American Civil War and was for a long time a well known face amongst East Coast German Reenactors too. Now based in California he joins Chris to talk about what it was like to be a part of the hobby at such a young age, how he ha...

The wearing of Medals and Awards is often a hot button topic amongst reenactors. In this, the latest in his series of deep dives, Rudi Lange looks at Assault and Close Combat Awards and tackles the thorny question of if they should be worn within the hobby. The book that Rudi references and recommends towards the end of the episode is... "The Face of Courage : The 98 Men Who Recieved the Knight's...

In this episode Chris is joined by Adam Bednar from 5.Kp GD and Casey Sill from Fox Company, 101 Airborne to talk about a new late war event taking place in Iowa in October and how creating constructive dialogue and collaboration with Allied units leads to better outcomes at events.  For more information on the Iowa event please visit the link below.... https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Eyg7DGitS/...

Christopher Smead from Missouri, is now in his  42nd year of reenacting and first attended Weldon Springs way back in 1983. Thanks to a reenacting career that has spanned British , Russian, German and even Japanese Christopher has a unique perspective on the hobby and we know you are going to enjoy his take on how some things have changed, whilst others have stayed the same …. A big thank you to e...

In 2024 Australia introduced a new Prohibited Symbols Act which includes a ban on the public display, sale and trade of original or reproduction items which carry the Hakenkreuz or SS runes. There are exemptions in place if the items are used for "educational, artistic, academic or scientific purposes" but the wording of the legislation is vague - leaving Australian reenactors in a difficult posit...

Last year we previewed a new event planned for 2025 that focused on France in Summer 1940. In this episode Chris catches up with Dylan Williams to hear how the event went and whether it is set to become a regular fixture in the Mid-West reenacting calendar. For more details on the Fall Gelb event please follow the link below  https://www.facebook.com/groups/811572074264109 A big thank you to every...

They say that travel broadens the mind but does it also bring another dimension to reenacting? In this episode Chris talks about how, for him, trips to Europe are not just about visiting historic sites and former battlefields - they are about searching out or experiencing at random the very essence of a place and the part it played in the Second World War , from the awe inspiring to the mundane......

Monty's Men is a reenactment event that takes place every two years and aims to  portray the closing days of World War Two in Europe. This year the event took place in the Netherlands  and podcast regular Ludwig Topf attended. In this episode he talks to Chris about how the event went and shares his thoughts on whether the correct balance between a convincing lived experience and a combat or tacti...

The Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) is perhaps the most iconic of all historical German military awards . During World War Two almost five million were issued in recognition of bravery in battle or distinguished military service. In this latest of our occasional series looking at WW2 German military awards Rudi Lange takes a closer look at the history of the Iron Cross and reflects on if and how it sh...

Reenacting is a hobby best enjoyed as part of a group - however work, family and other commitments often have to come first. So its no surprise that low attendence is a constant fear for many event organisers. In this episode  Chris shares his tips and tricks on how to motivate your unit members to find the time to show up at events...... A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Pa...

Reenacting is a hobby that often encourages the aquistition of more and more kit in an effort to enhance the experience. However,  in this episode Chris asks if authenticty takes a hit when your amount of gear starts to get out of control... A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, and your regular contributions re...

In this first of an occasional series looking at medals issued by Germany during the Second World War Rudi Lange takes a deep dive look at the Kriegsverdienstkreuz (War Medal Cross)  - which was awarded to both serving members of the military and civilians engaged in outstanding contributions to the war effort.  With thanks to www.wehrmacht-awards.com  A big thank you to everyone who supports the...

Like any hobby Reenacting is constantly changing and evolving - sometimes in unexpected directions. In this episode Chris looks at some of the reasons why Soviet reenacting grew in the years before Covid and why the trend cycle has, maybe, now moved on and interest in WW2 Soviet  is on the decline .… A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, n...

2025 is a big year for WW2 reenactors as it marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the conflict . In this episode Chris talks to Adam from the Militainment YouTube channel about how reenactors can  mark the event and how the end of the war is viewed in modern day Germany… To follow Adam please click on the links below... Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/militainment_adam/ @militainment_adam...

Its thought that over 30 million soldiers were conscripted into the Red Army during WW2 and many saw action in some of the most brutal campaigns of the conflict. In this episode Chris talks to Andryusha Taras of Osoaviakhim Foundation about their unique approach to reenacting, postitioning themselves as more of a living history network than a traditional reenacting group. There is also news of a p...

As Chris and the rest of the team take a New Year break we've dug deep into the archives to bring you again an episode from way back in August 2020 !  As temperatures plummet across the Northern Hemisphere here's one of our original show hosts, Lasse, talking to Nicholas, who has served in the Norwegian armed forces and shares his tips on how to stay safe whilst reenacting during the coldest month...

Join Chris and podcast regulars Ludwig Topf and Rudi Lange as they celebrate Christmas and look back on a busy year of reenacting.  Thanks to Christophe Piefke and his accordion for playing us out so beautifully at the end of the show and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of our listeners and Patreon supporters from everyone here on the team ! A big thank you to everyone who support...

Music has always played an important role within the military - from signalling manouveres on the battlefield to bolstering morale around the camp fire. In this episode Rudi Lange talks to reenactor Christoph Piefke about how he uses his talents as a musician within the hobby to enhance authenticity levels and build  kameradschaft.  A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon...

Back in the summer 100s of German and American WW2 reenactors attended a big event in France, marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. In this follow up episode Ludwig Topf is joined by one of our original podcast hosts, Lasse from Norway and Rob from Sweden to talk about how the event played out and what made it so unique and special. For more information on the event click on the...

Early war events based on France Summer 1940 are few and far between, in part due to the lack of WW2 French Army Reenactors. In this episode Chris talks to Dylan Williams about an ambitious new event in Illinois next summer which will focus on this time period - and hopes to become an annual event in the US reenacting calendar. For more details on the Fall Gelb 2025 event please follow the link be...

Keeping up our annual tradition join Chris as he shares listeners spooky stories about things that go bump in the night whilst reenactors are manning those lonely machine gun posts or out on patrol at 2am....... A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, and your regular contributions really do keep the show on the a...

Film, radio and press photography played an important role feeding the German news and propaganda machine during WW2. In this episode Rudi Lange talks to Hans Wickmann about his Propagandakompanie (PK) impression and his three year search to find an original WW2 Arriflex 35 movie camera to film reenactment events.  A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate ev...

The German Stahlhelm is perhaps one of the most iconic totems of WW2 and a crucial part of any reenactors impression. In this episode Chris discusses the best ways to buy your helmet and how to restore originals or improve the appearance of a reproduction... A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, and your regular...

In this episode Ludwig Topf is joined by Lasse and Rob to discuss their involvement in the recent Cobra to Lüttich event in Normandy which saw almost 100 WW2 German reenactors take part in recreating  the key events of the Avranches breakthrough and the German counter-attack at Mortain.