Impression
Look at the sub-menu at left for detailed information on uniforms, gear, etc.
What is your Impression?
An impression is your persona or character when you come to a living history event. You are no longer Joe Smith from Tejon Ranch California 2006; but rather become Josef VonSmeds from Tübingin, 1944.
To facilitate this change you must have all of the clothing, gear, tools,
papers and personal items of a German soldier in the early 1940s. You must
also have a history for this person you portray, a name, place of birth, family,
political orientation. You must completely look and act the part. Everybody
at an event strives for a certain level of authenticity, and the accuracy
of your impression is key to this. The 352 has a reputation as one of the
highest authenticity standards in the WORLD, so you can bet we are picky about
what you wear and do.
The hard work of building a good impression does have it’s rewards though;
the idea behind re-enacting is to have a “moment” where you would
not know it’s not the era you are portraying, where you actually feel
beyond the shadow of a doubt that it’s Kursk, 1943. If you fall short
anywhere in your impression, you run the risk of “blowing the moment”
for somebody. Anything from cheap rubber soled boots or a plastic pepsi bottle
could blow this. Don’t be the one to do this!
We have worked hard to put together a list of things you will need, the basics
that are expected of you for participation and the extras that make your impression
unique.
We like to ensure two things, that you get top quality equipment that is acceptable
for use, and that you don’t get ripped off in the process. Before you
buy anything, ask an NCO in the unit. Our where to buy list is fairly comprehensive,
but some items like helmets and boots will require some searching. Don’t
get ripped off or buy something that you can use. Items that may be considered
acceptable in other units may not be acceptable in the 352.