WWII Reenacting

Hi, i'm new to the forums. Anyways, i'm interested in being a WW2 reenactor. Does anybody have any good information/advice about how I could get into it. I live in South Carolina, USA where there are not many WW2 events and reenacting groups so I though about creating one. I thought about creating my own Historical Organization and therefore creating reenacting Units. What do you guys think? If you would like me to share more info about it please comment below.

 

Sure flesh out your idea and I'm sure others will jump in and give advice. Axis or Allied?

 

You might want to consider a National Guard formation called up locally for the War. The 118th Infantry regiment (30th Infantry Division initially, then Independent) served very well In France and with the local connection you might find kindred spirits interested in joining you.

 

I was considering joining a group with the 30th Infantry Division but most of the events/groups their in take place up north like in Indiana or Illinois or out West like in California. Also, i'm low on money so I was considering forming my own unit where I could get help from others interested in the hobby and well as where I could command the unit and run it the way I wanted to.

 

While the 118th was briefly part of the 30th Division, it served primarily as a independent regiment assigned where needed. This could make it a ideal choice as a stand alone reenactor group to start up in South Carolina. it was detached in 1942 and spent time deployed in Iceland before moving on to serve in France. It also has history with the 30th division during WWI. this dual history could be exploited, deployed in WWII and WWI kit for different events.

 

LRusso216 Yes, it is. I have been a Clemson fan my entire life. I've grown up surrounded by family members who have went to Clemson. My grandfather and my uncle went there. And my Dad went there for a short period and then transferred to the Citadel (for personal reasons). I even dream of going there soon (I'm in High School). It is a great university and I go over there on almost a monthly basis. And i'm there almost every weekend from September to late November for football games. By the way, did you watch the National Championship. How bout dem Tigers!!

 

belasar I highly appreciate the info about this unit. It will probably the 1st unit I create for my History Organization. I was looking for an Unit from SC and this is the one I will probably use. I'm inspired to do this because I've had many of my family members serve in the military. My Grandmother grew up druing the 40s so she knows alot about it. I am going to tell her this idea I have and she will probably be the best person I know to help me with this idea. Her Father who is my great-grandfather actual fought during the War. He was in the Army Air Corps. He was a B-17 Bombardier and flew his most famous mission in 44'. His squadron I think led the first daylight bombing of Berlin on March 14, 1944. Then dew to heavy flak and enemy fire his plane was shot down. He was only one of not many to survive the crash. Of Course, he was then taken prisoner by the Germans. Which was kinda ironic because my family is German. His last name was Kiser. Anyways, he was imprisoned at Barth and then I believe escaped about 10 months later and returned home to the US. His story is one the main reasons I want to do this sort of thing. I love telling people his story. To this day my grandmother still has all his medals and stuff from the war.

 

LRusso216 I'm really not sure. You probably could figure it out he was born in 68' and is almost 50 now so I guess do the math. Anyways, my grandfather was in the class of 1960 I believe. His name is actually in front of the amphitheater on the walkways next to where the bell is i, across from Bowman Field. Next, time your over there if you want to find it his name is G.W. Allen.

 

Here are a few links I have found if you want to read more about him.

James Kiser Sr.'s Obituary on Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Here is a picture of his flight crew


He is the last one on the right on the front row! He actually served as the Bombardier and the Navigator.

 

LRusso216 Yes! Yes! that's his. That's his tombstone. Those are all his. He died when I was 6. Where did you find all this? If your wondering he is from Gaffney but he was working at Carolina Asbetos Co. in Davidson, NC when he enlisted. In fact if you go the link I posted you can find all about him and my family. My name is actually listed in it. However, it a little out-dated becuase it was posted in 2006 when he passed. I live in Cleveland, SC which is right above Travelers Rest, just a little north of Downtown Greenville. In fact, I bet my Grandmother put those flowers there.

 

His aircraft?:
42-31910 | American Air Museum in Britain

 

I believe it is. Oh my gosh, thank you so much! Me, my grandmother and great-uncle have been trying to search for where his plane when down. I know believe I have found out where.

 

Thank so much for that. My grandmother will be so happy about those. But yes those are all about him. Me and him were very close. I remember him from when I was six. He always let me use his typewriter he had in his house.