"Historical reenactment is a type of roleplay
in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as
a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as
broad as an entire period, such as Regency reenactment."
The Texas Military Historical Society (TMHS) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving and experiencing the
period of 1939-1945. It is in that idea that the Society was formed to promote and strengthen the World War II reenacting
hobby. Our purpose is to portray, present and recreate the diverse groups of combat soldiers that fought in the conflict.
There are several general types of reenactments that the TMHS engages in, sometimes an event may encompass aspects of
all types. you may be more interested in some aspects than others but there is room for all types within the TMHS. Those
types of reenactments are:
Living History involves displays for public education; as an example to the left is a German field hospital set
from the Camp Mabry show battle. This display was well stocked and along with it's attendant sanis and DRK nurses
helped educate the public on medical treatment of battlefield casualties. Quite a few people expressed astonishment over
the boiled horsehair sutures that were used in WWII.
Other displays are aimed at portraying the everyday life and lifestyle of soldiers of the period. Reenactors explain
the features and life in the encampment to the public. Many reenactors can speak using period language, though in public
setting usually the more colourful expressions are left out.
Combat demonstration Combat demonstrations are simulations meant to demonstrate what combat might have been like.
Combat demonstrations are not directly based on actual battles, and are more demonstrations of basic tactics and techniques.
Battle reenactment these are scripted battles are closer to what one would think of as reenactment. The battles
are scripted beforehand so that the massed troops take the same actions that the were taken during the original battles.
They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar in terrain to the original battle.
These can vary widely in size from a few hundred fighters to several thousand.
Tactical combat or a tactical as they are known as are usually private events not open to the public.
Tactical battles are fought like real battles with both sides coming up with strategies and tactics to beat their opponents.
Thses battles are based loosely upon a time, place and participant types with a similar objective as the real battle, however
with no script and a rules tactical battles are a test and quite possibly the most fun for reenactors in the field.
Here's an article written by our public affairs officer on reenacting; Look, Mom! Are those Doughboys?
Last updated 02 Jan 11 � 2011 Texas Military Historical Society, Inc.
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