Here is a new topic to discuss the start of the hobby. WWII started in the US in the 1970's. With lack of good quality available reproductions, the German units used East German surplus to supplement the lack of available items in the US (mainly uniforms, boots and some gear since original gear is available) along with post-war items. Overtime, people began to make reproduction items that matched the original wartime issued materials. The use of East German items was necessary to get people interested into the hobby as well as supply themselves. As interest grew, the items available improved.

Here are some suggestions that might be useful.

1) Uniforms: Allow the greener wool for now. Too early to be a "stitch nazi" on being correct. This will allow people to get their uniform, participate, and allow the public to see what the uniform looked like. Yes I do know about authenticity but in each country the hobby did have an infancy. Authenticity can increase as new vendors and source of correct color wool is found (or you can try lightening the wool and redying it).

2) Boots: Originals are too costly to wear. Find a post-war boot very similar to those issued during the war. Someone said Swedish post war was similar to Romania's boots. Eventually someone might try to make a reproduction boot later. Give the option of keeping the rubber soles or changing to leather. Some people in the US keep the rubber due to various weather conditions (frostbite isn't something one wants to get in the winter).

3) Shelter halves and blankets: Look for post war items that are similar to those in the war. Someone on the forum should tell us about this since I really am lost on a source for the Romanian shelter half.

4) Weapons: Allow the use of the k98 until a person is able to get a ZB 24. Also inform them of the correct sling if possible.

5) Gear: Provide a list of acceptable items. Can be post-war items that are the same or have very minor changes to them or those of another country. A list will make it easier for people to know what they are looking for. Anyone interested in this challenge?

6) Unit designation: Choose a division and regiment that you will portray based on the time frame you will reenact. If only Eastern front look for units that were in the field from 1941-1944 or Western Front 1944-45 or make it easy and do a unit that fought through the entire war. I have decided to portray the 9th Infantry Division 34th Infantry Regiment Constanta to cover the entire period of Romania's involvement in the war.


7) Vendors/Dealers: Keep in contact with them. Email other vendors/dealers to see what they have. For example, if you know of someone who does a good job making a uniform see if you can help them find a source for correct wool. Remember, you want to eventually have an authentic impression and helping them will help you (plus a good vendor wants to keep customers happy and make $$).

8) Commands: Try to learn or understand the basic field commands in the native language even if you do not speak the language yourself.

9) Share with your fellow reenactors on sources of items. Everyone should help each other over time to achieve the goal of becoming authentic.

10) Last but not least, have fun doing it. Remember the real war has alreay been fought and you go out to enjoy recreating the atmosphere, discuss history and the company of your fellow reenactors.

I hope this helps out a little. Trying to come up with items to make a list but need to figure this out since not my area which is maps. If anyone wants to add information do it so all of us are not researching the same thing 10 times over. This way the hobby can grow in Romania and Romania's participation can be shown here in the US.

This post has been edited by RHaught on July 24, 2006 03:31 am