Reenactors tell story of German soldiers
Bob Lorenz says most people think all World War II German soldiers were high-stepping members of the Wafen-SS who carried out high-command orders without question. But that’s wrong, he says.
“For most soldiers, their country called for volunteers, and they went,” Lorenz said.
It’s those regular-army soldiers, specifically the Grossdeutschland Division, that a group based in Long Island, N.Y., portrays during reenactments all over the East Coast.
“We have nothing to do with politics,” Lorenz said. The 7th Kompanie Grossdeutschland Division forbids membership to anyone associated with Nazi or neo-Nazi groups. Some have slipped in and were quickly dismissed from the ranks, he said.
People attending “The War Years” at Fort Miles in Lewes April 30 may have been a little surprised, if not shocked, to see German reenactors patrolling the area around their camp. Lorenz, commander of the unit, said they get that reaction from people until they understand what Grossdeutschland is all about. Authenticity is the best word to describe what people see.
From speaking German commands to using authentic pieces of German equipment, Grossdeutschland members bring back to life a little understood part of history.
The 120-member group is meticulous about what is worn and what is done at its encampments. “It’s the highly developed details that make a good impression a great one,” he said. “We take on the persona of a German soldier of that time.”
During reenactments, he’s Major Otto Lorenz.
The unit’s motto is “Wenn schon, denn schon,” or if it’s worth doing, it’s worth over- doing.
The group is the longest running World War II living history unit, attending events for more than 30 years.
“We are trying to tell a story about the humanity on the German side,” he said. “Not all what you see out of Hollywood is true.”
Reactions to the group from U.S. veterans who fought in World War II are generally favorable, Lorenz said. “Most are totally thrilled,” he said. Grossdeutschland has attended Battle of the Bulge reunions and even an event at West Point.
Lorenz said Grossdeutschland has been trying to attend an event at Fort Miles for several years. One of its members has a beach home near Lewes and was impressed with the restoration efforts under way.
“That is some group of people there. We were beyond impressed,” Lorenz said. They want to return to Fort Miles and bring more members and equipment. Only 20 of the unit’s 120 members attended the event at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Getting started as a reenactor
Lorenz said most Grossdeutschland members are military enthusiasts from an early age; he started his fascination with the military at the age of 8. Reenactors are more inclined to be found watching The History Channel, A&E and the Discovery Channel than NASCAR and baseball.
Lorenz, who is of Austrian ancestry, said when he discovered the world of reenacting, he wanted to be Gen. Douglass MacArthur, but he always had a fascination with German soldiers. He was drawn to their uniforms, which were worn as a symbol of pride.
“The U.S. uniforms were for going to work; the German uniforms were for going to a parade,” he said.
Germans sported their medals on their everyday uniforms.
Those who join Grossdeutschland are held to strict standards. All start as privates and work with a mentor, or Alte Hand (Old Hand). After attending three events, members are placed on a year’s probation.
All marching, drilling and field commands are given in German, so most members, become familiar with basic German.
Group attends reunions in Germany
Over the past three decades, members of the unit have attended reunions of their namesake unit in Germany. Lorenz said this year’s event might be the last; the youngest member of the unit is 87 years old.
Lorenz said he looks forward to the reunions because it gives the real Grossdeutschland members a chance to talk about their war experiences. The war years are something they never discuss with friends and family, Lorenz said.
The real Grossdeutschland Division was an elite fighting force serving from 1939 to the end of the war in 1945. The division was involved in the invasion of Poland and served in Russia. One unit was sent to support the Axis in the Battle of the Bulge.
“They suffered greatly in the war with 68,000 casualties,” Lorenz said.
He said they think it’s ironic that their former enemies are paying them homage. “They tell us they can’t get their own sons to honor them; they are still treated as criminals 60 years later,” he said. “In Germany, they don’t talk about this. They haven’t told their stories.”
They always ask us if we get in trouble for doing this, Lorenz said.
The common German soldier was apolitical, as they weren’t allowed to be involved with politics, Lorenz said.
While Civil War and Revolutionary War reeneactors have been around for years and number more than 100,000, World War II reenactors number far less – 8,000 too 10,000 – and joined the living history movement for just a few decades.
Lorenz said about half of the current World War II reenactors are German soldiers.
Lorenz said Grossdeutschland is made up of a cross-section of people from all walks to life, including a few with Jewish ancestry.
Grossdeutschland’s mission: Accuracy and objectivity
The unit’s mission as outlined on its extensive web site is: “As the leading World War II German living history reenactment unit, our mission is to research and present the common German soldier of World War II as accurately and objectively as possible. We stress objectively because we concentrate on the military aspects of the German soldier. As a nonpolitical organization, we do not support or condone the politics which directed him.
“In a modern era where much of World War II history is almost all but forgotten, members of Grossdeutschland strive to dispel the common misconceptions that abound concerning the German Army that fought during the last half of the 20th century. Our efforts are not directed at revisionist history, but rather details often lost in postwar discussions, articles and texts on the subject of World War II.
“The Grossdeutschland Division is not affiliated with any right-wing neo-Nazi organization. We are students of military science not political science. We condemn all radical or subversive groups, and for that reason we do not allow any member of Grossdeutschland to belong to one.”
For more information go to grossdeutschland.com.
