Would you believe, these are the 9th Soviet Guards, pictured here outside their log cabin in, er . . . Pennsylvania. I’ve been reading that re-enactment is one of the fastest growing ‘living history‘ trends and re-enacting Soviet troops is tops amongst adherents.
You can see the appeal. Hillbillies never got to dress this cool. In fact, dress code is everything among re-enacters. Absolutely not anyone can join the Online Red Army. Here’s a cautionary note from the enlistment office:
All members MUST have an early war uniform and kit first. We require quality over quantity and have no problem informing and assisting individuals who fail to meet our standards. NO non-Red Army items such as German equipment or civilian clothing. At any time, any item may be deemed un-authorized by the unit founders.
So, you can’t make your very own Soviet Army Goggles on the kitchen table with handicraft paints, steampunk style. They won’t cut it. The unit trains you according to a 1944 Russian infantry manual and also points you to a useful site where you can change your name from Billy Joe or Jim Bob to something Russian.
Re-enacters insist there’s not much between their Red Army and the real thing, except that, quote, ‘we buy our own food and ammo‘. In terms of food, Spam is OK since it made up 18% of a Soviet soldier’s diet during WW2. To be even more accurate, Russian soldiers looted a heap of clothes and food from civilians but you’re not allowed to be quite that authentic in Pennsylvania. Living history is a fine line.
Not sure how Russia hasn’t got wind of all these Red Army wannabes. Dodging the draft in Russia is estimated as a business worth 350million each year in bribes. Contracting fake diseases or enrolling at fictitious universities is the usual get out. But then you’ll have to bribe all over again, because not serving will impair your chances of finding a job.
Anyway, while Russia is short of conscripts it really should be getting online to give these guys the opportunity to live the dream. Living the actual dream pictured below by Anders Thorsell.
Greetings,
I am a Reenactor with the 33rd Guards. I think you are a bit confused. In a country that does very little to acknowledge that the USSR was in WWII, we are trying to inform people about the Central Role that Russia played in Germany’s defeat.
Many of us served in the US army in the past and too old to make good soldiers now.
Now as for the “Hillbilly” remark that fits me as I live in WV. The guys from the 9th Guards are From New York (not Hillbillies) and I know them personally. The Picture is from the November Reenactment in Bedford PA.
In a world where people dress up like they are on “Star Trek” or from “Star Wars”, I guess you could call us history nerds.
Hello Dave. Thanks for the comment.
Better a Reenactor than a Cold War Warrior, absolutely. Right with you there.
Hello~
Yes, I’m the commanding officer of this unit. As our webpage states, “We are committed to the preservation of history and the memory of the Red Army soldiers by portraying the lives and the war encounters of the 9th Soviet Guards against the German forces during World War II.”
Toward this end , we have done events in which there are mock battles to living history events for the education of the public. I have personally had the honor to meet with Russian Veterans over here and their response has always been overwhelmingly positive.
One veteran in particular was crying when he saw our “Russian Unit” at a World War 2 event, here in New York City. This Veteran sat with us, told stories and commented how proud he was that someone here would remember and honor them.
I invite anyone to join a living history unit, You will both learn and educate the public about our ancestors.
Thanks
Captain Dave Goliger
http://www.9thsovietguards.com
Hello Dave G.
Thanks for all your efforts in helping to set the record straight that Soviets actually won the war. Admittedly, it would not have been possible without many tins of Spam, meat which was kindly provided by American pigs.
Wearing my military hat though, Commander Dave, I wonder if your boys are a little sloppy in this photo? They do look more like a country band than a country band. Many guys are holding their rifles like a Fender Telecaster.
But perhaps I’m just being picky.
Thanks again for stopping by.
As a student of military history and political science on the university level, I would have to say that these gentlemen (and ladies) are pretty representative of the Red Army. With the exception of being well-fed Americans rather than malnourished and disease-stricken Russians, uniform and equipment-wise, I find no particular issues here. I don’t know why you think they’re hill-billies, considering the amount of research work and personal expense reenactors put into what they call their “impressions.” I’ve met several myself, not all are scholars, assuredly, but most are very polite and well-informed, especially considering the post-WWII animosity and the lingering anti-Soviet feeling which exists in the US today.
Reenactors are certainly not hill-billies.
I have met many former soviet and russian people here in the USA that were very thrilled and happy to see that Americans take such interest in their country and history.
I have yet to meet a person from any side that is disgusted with what we do no matter what army one is portraying.
Lighten up guys. Besides, nothing is wrong with hillbillies – I’ll take one over a NYer any time. And now to the really serious and important question: what is that brave soldier trying to do with his foot?
Организация «Профстройреконструкция» – предоставление высококачественных услуг: Изучение специфических свойств.
вы шутите…21 век на дворе, неужели нет ничего достойного внимания, как энциклопедия.Милые мои, вот нет снега в гордах, это тоже тема и история, пересмотрите темы.Я почту просматриваю, мне шлют не пойми что, не знаю кто, столько мусора, может оно и нужно, но не в дневнике.Я так понимаю, дневник это часть твоей души.Нам дается право выбирать – пользуйтесь. А информация бесполезной не бывает
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