Women At War - WACS

With a great focus within our hobby placed fairly squarely on the male portrayal, we sometimes do forget that fact that women played a huge part in shaping our history also, just because they were not generally on the front line, they certainly had a major presence ensuring that the war machine kept running. From volunteers to paid labour, their roles were varied, from farming through to munitions, to the delivery of aircraft to intelligence. The portrayal in our hobby does lend itself to the classic ‘pin up’ the morale booster to the troops that is continued even today in the far reaches of the earth where conflict never seems to stop.

I stumbled upon a website today, whilst the UK decided that once again it could not open for business as we had a few inches of snow, and I wanted to share with you some superb wartime photos of the WACS Women’s Army Corps.

The corps was formed in 1942 and was known as the WAACS, (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps). During the conflict around 15,200 women served within these Corps and provided a number of roles to support the war effort.

This was not without opposition and after some research it was evident that men were very against women in uniform, not surprisingly so owing to the other attitudes and prejudices against women in general at the time, however owing to the sheer shortage of manpower, not an intended pun, but the army needed to make some very serious decisions in order to fulfill a variety of roles within its ranks.

Most WACS were based in the US; however there are notable units that travelled across the world in all theatres of war.

Training for these women was intense, basic training lasted approximately 176 hours and consisted of 23 courses, the women learned close order drill, to map reading with a final aptitude test to qualify for service. Once basic training was completed then the WAC could specialise and an option of further training was available and the options here were varied. After three months service the US army offered each WAC the option to apply for Officer Candidate School, a further 246 hours of training over five weeks learning the finer intracises of military organisation.

WACS of course was just one route a women could enlist for during WWII, one could have enrolled within the WAVES (Naval), USMCNR (Marine), SPARS (Coastguard), WASP (Pilots), ARC (Red Cross), PHS (Public Service), NNC (Naval Nurse), ANC (Army Nurse).

Do you re-enact any of these services? Do you have any connection with Veterans mentioned in this article? If so, we would love to hear from you for our magazine.

http://www.blitzkriegbaby.de/
www.historylink101.com

A fantastic event to finish the re-enactment year

Venturing nearly five and a half hours drive from my home near Tunbridge Wells, to attend the North Yorkshire Moors Railway event, held just 20 or so miles west of Scarborough , was well worth it. Held just two weeks ago, was  for me, a fantastic end to the re-enactment season, sure their will be many more dances and village weekends to attend, but as larges scale, closing the town off events go, the town of Pickering plays a perfect host. When I first attended this event a year ago, I was literally blown away at just what went on, re-enactments at the show ground, a parade through the town centre, a railway packed full of entertainment, stations teaming with eager visitors ready to catch a glimpse of the metal warhorses chugging through the stations and when the sun goes down, more dances, pubs and WWII themed entertainment than you can shake a barrage balloon at.

So what happened this year? Well in my opinion this event just got better, the attendance was superb with buses trailing into the park and ride areas, like B17 fortresses taking off to Normandy, dropping their eager cargoes to the event from just out of town, at the showground was non-stop. It's a pity that this area isn't utilised better as the scope here to stage large battles, and a building that could host possibly one of the biggest hanger dances imaginable is unique. However local knowledge informs me that this may not happen for a few years yet.

Venturing into town, it was a pleasure to see every shop had placed the red white and blue bunting across porch ways, and in some circumstances changed their signage.

The crowds that thronged the streets were, well akin to a scene from the victorious Allied forces liberating Holland, I have not been anywhere this friendly for a long time, and no I don't mean the landlords wanting your hard earned, although beer is surprisingly cheap in this neck of the woods and in plentiful supply!

I could not attend every dance event, during the evening as tickets had sold out weeks before and I had heard that eager re-enactors were in some cases turned away. I had the pleasure of being entertained by 4Jas, Normandy 44 and some great new friends in the local pubs and hotel along the high street. Incidentally, if any of you reading this did go to a dance, I would love to see the pictures and hear from you.

So what of the railway? Well, the loco's depart every hour on the hour and the volunteers manning these are just wonderful, be careful when you choose your train, as departing at 11am and 12noon from Pickering to travel towards Whitby can be quite packed, however you can get a great cuppa as you watch the undulating landscape unfold through historic carriage windows.

I stopped off at Levisham station, and for many, the Germans that man/occupy this station have caused consternation within the town for many years, I have it on good authority that this station scenario was created to appease the locals and keep them (the scary Germans) all in one place. WWII was a horrific affair as we all know, and veterans indeed in any town throughout the world that fought the Axis powers, may not want to be reminded of what happened. However we are in the 21st Century and WWII did not start on it's own. I did see some 'escapee' German re-enactors out in the town on the weekend nights and can proudly report that not one incident causing affray was reported! Also the scenarios put on here by the groups Das Reich and the Stahlkriegers, were the most entertaining I witnessed from all the groups I saw, they had the crowds in fits of giggles with their weapons demonstrations and set light to a downed Meschermitt 109 every hour, an impressive shown. Just be sure if you visit next year, you walk up the train to the first four coaches when you arrive as its a short platform!

Whatever your taste in WWII, this is a town you have to visit, the massive street parades, singers, entertainment and sheer goodwill oozes out of this otherwise sleepy town. We shall definitely be back next year.

http://www.nymr.co.uk/

War and Peace Show - Thank-You Night

If you think of the War & Peace Show, you may think large numbers of tanks, large crowds and impressive displays from very passionate, vehicle owners and re-enactors across, from the far reaching corners of the hobby, what you perhaps don't think, is that this show, being the worlds largest takes some pretty hefty organisation, and the preparation and planning is a 12 month job. Attending the thank-you bash last night, was certainly an eye opener as I didn't quite realise just all the elements involved, sure, you know that an event needs security, parking, booking in and some toilets. But the individuals that ensure this show runs like clockwork are very large in number.

The show is prepared three weeks before a single paying visitor enters and most teams are on site, working hard to ensure that everything is in place for the opening day. This year, this job was made even harder as over 2000 school children were bussed in, to experience a number of talks and demonstrations put on by the show, the educational element here cannot be underestimated and just ferrying these children was indeed a task in itself.

Rex Cadman's speech was evocative and detailed in its delivery, congratulating everyone on the success of the 2010 show,  informing all, of the intricacies of the final event management, which was met with much aplomb. Special mentions were aplenty, and from where I was sitting it was very apparent that everyone involved had done their job, to the best of their ability. Mentions included, Malcolm and his team for ensuring that no children are lost throughout the show, through to Charles ensuring quite camping runs smoothly, it was very evident that this show, runs like a military operation.

The speech was followed by a raft or presentations, where everyone involved that contributed to the show, received a special commemorative War and Peace plaque.

Next years event, is already being planned and very much underway and with 2011 set to be an even bigger and better year than 2010, watch this space.

Full photos will appear shortly on the War and Peace website, links below.


www.thewarandpeaceshow.com
www.thehopfarm.co.uk
www.kentphotoarchive.org.uk
www.excaliburunit.zoomshare.com




Words & Images : Stuart Humphrey - WWII Re-enactors Magazine

Photography of our hobby....

Photography within the this hobby, is perhaps for me one of the most exciting aspects it has to offer, as the camera picks up every tiny detail, it shows the viewer, just what exactly is happening on and around the subject, it also creates an ambience that can be set to look like period of history it displays. Perhaps I'm going a little too in-depth with my thinking here, however just ask any photographer on the circuit today, and they will very quickly explain to you their style of photography and that inspired me.

So much so that I purchased an entry level Canon 450D, the spec if you have time to read the manuals, is pretty impressive and it has enough mega pixels to get you a good picture. The tough part is working our how to use it, when not switched in full auto mode, it was at this point I thought I would ask the advice of, well every photographer that I bumped into this year.

My respect for these fine fellows, (that includes the girls too!) trebled in an instant, just how do they have a great eye for shots? Like many, I took loads of pictures on my phone, and compact camera for years, without a care in the world. The computer chips on board, did all the work and well you get a great picture most of the time. We are bombarded with by the advertising companies, that we should take hundreds of pictures and share everything on the social feeds available to us. I'm starting, to not believe this theory, I don't know about you, but wading through hundreds of images, although appealing, does sap the energy cells and when you do view a potentialy great image, your eyes are so burnt from seeing the same shot at a hundred different angles, that you have already switched of the pc and are out walking your dog. (Shot above Phil Royal). The professional photographer, will choose their moment before wildly firing off a hundered shots on a subject.

When I take up a new hobby, I do like to go at it like a mad dog in a chicken coop, I research asking everything I can on the subject, sitting up until the small hours of the morning surfing everything in my path associated with what it is that has got me going and then search finding the right price. Its all about the equipment, however this is not the best path to take. After I walked out of my local Jessops photography store, being very chuffed at haggling and getting a below advertised price for my goods, although I think the extras I purchased, kind of outweighed this theory.  I ripped open all my kit and plugged it in, drove at top speed to a WWII show and started snapping. (image right ,Stuart Gould)

Racing home again, eagerly jamming the USB card into my laptop, I thought I had won the lottery, the images I thought for the amount of money I had spent on the equipment would ensure success. It took me a good few days, to recover from the result, I think I had two good images, in about 500. I had to seriosuly re-think how I approached photography. (Image below, Tony Nylons, model Fleur De Guerr.)

Unfortunately the two good images I did get, spured me on to learn more, and now I am trying varying different styles, lighting effects, photoshop (great for my less able shots) and spending ever increasing hours on capturing the best shot I can for the magazine. What I do know is that if you want to see some great images, then click through the links below. I have had the pleasure in bumping into some of the best photographers on the circuit, I can't include everyone and sorry to those of you I know, that I havn't included in this article. My favourites have to be Nick Halling, Stuart Gould, Phil Royal and Tony Nylons as they perhaps for capture every essence that this hobby has to offer. With varying styles between them and a keen eye for detail. Each of them has a uniqueness about their work, and its this style that promotes this hobby in every aspect, from tanks to pin ups, gun flares to full on battle re-enactments. I suppose what I'm badly trying to say is that next time a lens is pointed in your direction when you're displaying your finest uniform, or posing with your military vehicle,  just hope it is one of our very own papparazzi. As without them, we would truly lose a vital element of our hobby.

What we can do though, is to pick up a camera, and have a go, as I can say through all my frustrations and failures, image after image, it does start to get a little easier, I do find taking photos, somehow helped me also get a closer view of what we do in re-enactment, and best of all its a great conversation starter, asking your fellow re-enactor just when they purchased that smock, or hand bag or simply chewing the 'cud' and having a good ole gossip, does give you a great insight into this world. (Image opposite, Nick Halling.) 

www.nickhalling.co.uk

www.stuartgouldphotography.co.uk

www.tonynylons.co.uk

www.depthoffieldimages.co.uk

War & Peace Showguide 2011

It was a pleasure to see Rex Cadman again, organiser of the War & Peace show, this week to discuss the creation and design of the 2011 show guide. As some of you know this is the largest show on the scene today.

We designed and created the last magazine, with many positive comments and for the first time, it was perfect bound and not saddle stitched something that added a certain amount of gravitas to the publication.

The most exciting thing in producing this was the sheer amount of pr content available surrounding the show, some of you will know that Rex is an avid collector on all things military, and this thirst for new and existing exhibits displays perfectly in the summer show.

Here you will not only find possibly every type of military vehicle ever produced from the thousands of exhibitors, but you will also find a very large and growing community of re-enactors that own and display vehicles. This is a fantastic treat for anyone with not only a military interest but also historical interest, as you can see just how the vehicles would have been used all those years ago.

Some of my favourite groups include the Second Battle Group, who won the 'Best Largest Living History Display Award' quite simply for their fine array of original German armour of the war years, you really will not see anywhere else in the country, the mix of vehicles that this group commands.

However groups do not have to be large in size to attract attention and a perfect example are the very dedicated 'Spirit Of Britain' organised by Simon Delaney, the attention to detail is just breathtaking, this is displayed in the group’s overall attitude to re-enactment, portraying various elements from the BEF (British Expeditionary Force,  through to RAF ground crew, the group offers an alternative to re-enactment fans looking for a truly accurate portrayal.

Before I left the meeting with Rex, it was very clear from our meeting that the 2011 show, was again set to be a bigger and host even more exciting items that perhaps even I'm not allowed to share with you...well not just yet anyway!

www.spiritofbtritain.net

www.sbg1.mistral.co.uk

www.thewarandpeaceshow.com

Words : Stuart Humphrey

Copyright : Edon Publishing Ltd

First Post

Well its been a while in the making, so here it is at last, the blog hopefully covering the insights of a magazine publisher.