Military Reenactment Society
Encyclopedia
The Military Reenactment Society is a New Zealand
based living history
and historical reenactment
group that reenacts World War II
units. It is New Zealand's largest living history group with members based throughout New Zealand with some overseas, some members are also part of Second Battle Group
a UK based historical reenactment organization. They are a non-political group with the aim of increasing public awareness of the fighting prowess and camaraderie of the Second World War.
. In 2007 they separated from the Commemorative Air Force and became a stand alone organization. The Military Reenactment Society performs public displays and battles at events such as the Museum of Transport and Technology
Military Open Day, Warbirds over Wanaka
and the Classic Fighters air show
. At these shows they display camps and equipment scenarios and perform scripted battles using blank ammunition
and occasionally pyrotechnics
in a manner as close as realistically possible to the conditions prevailing at the time.
The MRS are also used as reference for modeling and gaming companies, they have also been used in TV adds for Sky Network Television
, movie rolls as extras and military advisers. The club took part in the New Zealand premiere of the Valkyrie movie and The Pacific (TV miniseries)
and one Allied
. Not all the MRS units display at every event. They now have 7 units that reenact different World War II units and 1 Vietnam unit they include.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
based living history
Living history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
and historical reenactment
Historical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate 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...
group that reenacts World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
units. It is New Zealand's largest living history group with members based throughout New Zealand with some overseas, some members are also part of Second Battle Group
Second Battle Group
The Second Battle Group is a World War II Living History and Historical Society. The Second Battle Group re-enact the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler...
a UK based historical reenactment organization. They are a non-political group with the aim of increasing public awareness of the fighting prowess and camaraderie of the Second World War.
Background
The Military Reenactment Society was established in 2004 as part of the New Zealand wing of the Commemorative Air ForceCommemorative Air Force
The Commemorative Air Force , formerly known as the Confederate Air Force, is a Texas-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at airshows primarily throughout the U.S. and Canada...
. In 2007 they separated from the Commemorative Air Force and became a stand alone organization. The Military Reenactment Society performs public displays and battles at events such as the Museum of Transport and Technology
Museum of Transport and Technology
The Museum of Transport and Technology is a museum located in Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand. It is located close to the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Park. The museum has large collections of civilian and military aircraft and other land transport vehicles...
Military Open Day, Warbirds over Wanaka
Warbirds over Wanaka
Warbirds over Wanaka is a biennial air show in Wanaka, held on the Easter weekend of even-numbered years. It is held at Wanaka Airport, 10 km outside Wanaka village. Initially conceived by New Zealand live deer recovery pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis, as a display day for him to play with his collection...
and the Classic Fighters air show
Classic Fighters
Classic Fighters is a biennial airshow in Blenheim, New Zealand, held on the Easter weekend of odd-numbered years. The airshow has been running since 2001, and is held at Omaka Airfield, just outside of the main town of Blenheim. Each year the air show is run with a different theme...
. At these shows they display camps and equipment scenarios and perform scripted battles using blank ammunition
Blank (cartridge)
A blank is a type of cartridge for a firearm that contains gunpowder but no bullet or shot. When fired, the blank makes a flash and an explosive sound . Blanks are often used for simulation , training, and for signaling...
and occasionally pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
in a manner as close as realistically possible to the conditions prevailing at the time.
The MRS are also used as reference for modeling and gaming companies, they have also been used in TV adds for Sky Network Television
SKY Network Television
Sky Network Television Limited , , is a New Zealand pay television service. On 30 June 2011, Sky had 829,421 subscribers, which comprises:*808,617 digital subscribers*20,840 other subscribers...
, movie rolls as extras and military advisers. The club took part in the New Zealand premiere of the Valkyrie movie and The Pacific (TV miniseries)
Units
The Military Reenactment Society started with two units one AxisAxis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
and one Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
. Not all the MRS units display at every event. They now have 7 units that reenact different World War II units and 1 Vietnam unit they include.
- Dog company 2nd Rangers
- 3 Kompanie 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
- 101st Airborne Division101st Airborne DivisionThe 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
- Russian Naval Infantry
- 3rd Marine Division
- 1st GebirgsjagerGebirgsjägerGebirgsjäger, in English Mountain Riflemen, is the German designation for mountain infantry. The word Jäger is the traditional German term for rifleman...
Division - US 25th Infantry Division(Vietnam)
- GroßdeutschlandInfantry Regiment GroßdeutschlandThe Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland was an élite German Heer ceremonial and combat unit which saw action during World War II. The regiment served in the campaigns in France and the Low Countries in 1940. It then served exclusively on the Eastern Front until the end of the war...
Sanitäts