The Reenactor's Corner

In this episode long time contributor and friend of the podcast Ludwig Topf catches up with Chris to discuss the perils and possibilities associated with creating a new reenactment unit.  

It is estimated that over 17 million Soldbuch identity documents were issued during World War Two and surviving examples often provide valuable insight into the everyday lives of those who served within the German military, including what uniforms and equipment they were issued. In this episode  Chris goes on a deep dive into the world of these documents and explains how information gleaned from o...

Although the majority of WW2 reenactors are based in North America and Europe the hobby has members all over the world. In this epsiode Chris talks to James Fortner, who is originally from the United States but now lives in Japan - where he is a member of several reenacting groups that portray both Allied and Axis powers during World War Two. Given Japan's sometimes complex relationship with recol...

The Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen ) was one of the most issued German military awards during World War Two. Around five  million were awarded during the conflict and, as a result, originals often come up for sale on the collectors market. Price depends on the grade of the award (black,silver or gold) and manufacturer. In this epsiode guest host Rudi Lange walks through the history of the Verwu...

Ever since the American Civil War photography has played an important role in recording the realities of war. Whether posed propaganda photographs, combat reportage or candid shots of life behind the lines this kind of material can be a priceless resource when building your reenacting impression. In this episode Chris gives his hints and tips on how to use original photogtraphs to their best advan...

Current events in the Middle East are already having a knock on effect for many at home as fuel costs rise - potentially impacting members of the hobby who are already operating on a tight budget. In this episode Chris discusses ways to help reduce the costs associated with World War Two reenacting..... As ever, a very big thank you to everyone that supports the Podcast via  Patreon - we really co...

Our last episode, which focused on the topic of finding an appropriate role within the hobby as we grow older, certainly generated alot of feedback from our listeners. In this episode guest host Rudi Lange shares his thoughts on what some of our listeners had to say.......

During World War Two the average age of soldiers serving in the German Army was around 25 years old. Reenactors, however, come in all ages from those who are still in their teens to some who are still actively involved in living history well into their 60s and 70s.... In this episode our guest host Rudi Lange talks with Josef Brandt, a fellow member of 7kp GD, who has been reenacting since 1983. H...

World War Two has long been the backdrop for many Hollywood films - meaning that reenactors can sometimes offer their servives to film makers and be employed as extras. In this episode Chris recounts his experiences portraying a German soldier in the 2010 movie Shutter Island - alongside several other members of his reenactment group and Leonardo DiCaprio.................

This January marks eight years since the last Fort Indiantown Gap.... For many reenactors who attended over the years it's been hard to find another event that compares - whilst for some of those who didn't attend, the annual reenactment in Pennsylvania has achieved almost mythical status. By the time the event closed in 2018 Chris had been taking part for almost 20 years and in this episode he sh...

Join Chris and podcast regulars Rudi Lange and Ludwig Topf as they look back at WW2 German reenacting in 2025 and share their predictions for what the New Year has in store for the world of living history... As ever, a very big thank you to everyone that supports the Podcast via  Patreon - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters wit...

It is estimated that over 18 milion identity discs (Erkennungsmarken) were stamped and issued by the German Armed Forces in World War Two. It's unique design, with a perforated centre and identitical details on each half, carried no name but instead a unit designation and numbers that would identity the soldier when cross-referenced with official records. In this epsiode Chris goes on a deep dive...

The ability to source both original and reproduction items from overseas is an important part of the hobby for many reenactors - however recent changes in the United States mean that buying from Europe , or any other part of the world , has become more problematic....and expensive. At the end of August 2025 the Trump Administration removed the long-standing "de minimus" arrangement whereby non-com...

For many reenactors using a vintage camera loaded with film is the best way to capture images at an event - they provide a more authentic and tangible record than their digital counterpart and having only 12 or 36 shots available per roll of film really focuses the mind when it comes to subject matter and composition . In this episode Chris talks to Vijay, a WW2 reenactor from Chicago who has comb...

Ever since our first Halloween Special way back in 2019 every year we've brought you a selection of our listeners spookiest stories . From late night encounters with spectoral sentries or enemy combatants to original items in your collections that maintain a malevolent aura long after World War Two.  This year the story submissions were more spine-chilling than ever - so sit back, lock the doors a...

In this episode UK based reenactor and long time friend of the show Ludwig Topf tells Chris about the events that he has attended this summer - including one organised by the "We Have Ways" WW2 history podcast where he swapped his regular German uniform for a British one for the weekend and had a vigorous exchange of views with comedian and podcast host Al Murray in the beer tent..... As ever, a v...

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...