The Dummies Guide to Red Army Reenacting
S Downing

    Many people start off in reenacting by joining a unit and learning as they go. For most of us in the Red Army, our units tend to be spread out. This makes it very hard to learn from our fellow soldiers the right and wrongs of Red Army reenacting.
     This article is to help beginning reenactors start on the right foot, and to assist them in creating a good impression.

How to Start.
     If you are reading this, then you have already started. Using the internet to find information is the greatest part about historical research. There is so much information out there, just waiting for you to find it. Knowledge is just a search button away...

     In searching for information or units your first stop should be reenactor.net . This site has information on all reenactment time periods including WWII. You will find the 8th Guards listed there. You will find

various sutlers listed there. You will find reenacting calendars there. You will find the Red Army mailing list...JOIN IT!
     This mailing list is free and will put you in contact with RED ARMY reenactors the world over. It's fun, it's free, and if you don't...you will be getting on a slow train heading east.

So, you want to join the Red Army.
     Joining is easy. If you don't know where a unit close to you is, drop me a line. I have contacts with most of the units. Or use the RED ARMY mailing list to find one. Once you do, you will begin to get your gear togeather.
     This part tends to scare some people off. "WHERE DO I FIND ALL THIS STUFF?!?!" Well, the place to start is Dan Welch's THE RUSSIAN GRUNT. Dan has the best reproduction and original gear on the market. Dan has everything! And best of all: DAN IS CHEAP!
     The German reenactor is out there spending $350.00 on a tunic. If you spend $350.00 you will have more equipment than a RED ARMY SOLDIER WAS EVEN ISSUED!!!

What do I do once I have my gear?
(go to uniform requirements)
    Reenactments are the one place you can go and do your best to try to relive history. Some events are better than others, just as some reenactors are better than others. Watching the reenacting calendar on reenactor.net will let you know when the next event is. Be ready to travel as most of the time events are not in your back yard.
     There are huge events like the yearly Battle of the Bulge, where thousands of reeactors go and have fun. There are smaller events like Cedars of Lebanon who host a couple of hundred reenactors. Then there are small events, like the 8th Guards Training weekends, whith maybe a dozen or so.
     There are different types of events. There are the battles, living history and public displays.

Events.
      Battles are as they sound. They could either be free play tacticals or scripted fights. Free play tacticals are like when we used to play cowboys and indians (Native Americans?) as kids. The two sides just go at it. Scripted battles follow a set plan. Usually the unit commanders are in on the deal and follow the plan as much as possible. Soldiers usually don't have a clue. (much like real battles I am afraid...)
     There has been a move towards more realistic battles in the last few years. The fellows at Renssalaer use a modified combat system to track the 'points' that each side wins or looses. They also use judges or umpires. These guys watch the fighting and grade the tactical soundness of the commanders actions, their effects on the battle and generally control the actions on both sides. They don't tell the commanders how to win the objective, they simply tell them what the objective is.
     Living History events are things like School demonstrations and training weekends. There is usually no fighting involved. A typical training weekend could be a full Saturday, from 0600 wake up til 2100 lights out with every event as normally found in a typical day of the RED ARMY.
     During these events you try to become the soldier you are portraying. These are fun alternatives that you and your unit can do if you have some down time between events. Public events are those that give Red Army Reenacting exposure to the public. This could be setting up a booth at a gun show, a parade, or anything else.

I got the stuff, I've join a unit, I am waiting for my first battle...
    So, you are waiting for the next weekend when you and your buddies are headed off to ??? to fight the Hiterite invaders. You are nervous because this is your very first event. What if you do something wrong? What if your uniform isn't right? What if I don't know what to do???
    Well, we were all once the new guy. My first event was at North Vernon, Indiana and I didn't have a clue. Dan Welch led me along and showed me the right way to do things. James Morris helped me put my stuff togeather. Chris Smead showed me where to find information. Clark Badgett kept my spirits up and taught me how to convert helmets.
    The bottom line; you are not alone. You are part of the team. Your first event will open up a big picture on WWII Eastern Front reenacting. The people you meet are not out there to judge you, they are there to have a good time and learn about history, just like you.
     If there is one thing you can take away from this page, it is that no-one has all the answers to the RED ARMY. Learn as you go. Set your own goals as to authenticity. Become a bit better every time you take the field. Never stop learning. Help everyone.

If you have any questions on RED ARMY reenacting give me a buzz. I'd love to talk to you.


Scott

to unit pages