Military historical reconstruction has become extremely popular in Russia and abroad in the last two decades. It is known that initially it had deeper roots. The first reconstructions of important events and great battles were carried out in Ancient Greece and Rome. Now they have decided to revive this tradition.

Event history

Military-historical reconstruction was also carried out in Ancient Egypt. The organizers staged costumed performances. The public could see with their own eyes how key battles unfolded. Sometimes special arenas were even built for such events.

This type of performance experienced its next wave of popularity in the 17th century. This time, the country where military-historical reconstructions began to be carried out en masse was England. Here, in 1620-1630, units of the London militia performed demonstration drills in front of the public.

In second place in popularity were the battles of the Patriotic War of 1812.

Battle of Berlin

One of the most popular military-historical festivals in recent years is the “Battle of Berlin”. The reconstruction is dedicated to the storming of the German capital by Soviet troops in 1945.

The event takes place in Moscow at the end of April. In culture and recreation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation "Patriot" reenactors recreate the main moments of one of the most important battles of the Great Patriotic War.

Guests of the Battle of Berlin festival find themselves in the very center of the battles. The reconstruction allows you to plunge headlong into this operation of the Soviet troops. The park recreates the streets of real Berlin, through which tank units and motorized troops pass. Real artillery cannonade sounds, and uncompromising air battles unfold in the sky. You can feel firsthand what the storming of Berlin was like. Not only history buffs take part in the reconstruction, but also professional stuntmen and pyrotechnicians who carefully prepare a performance in memory of the heroes of that war.

It is worth noting that the storming of Berlin played an important role in the history of the war. The reconstruction allows you to imagine how it really was.

"Fire Arc"

The Moscow region is generally famous for regularly holding festivals of military-historical reconstruction. "Fire Arc" takes place in the town of Stupino in late April - early May.

This is a very spectacular military-historical festival, in which not only a large number of reenactors take part, but also a variety of equipment. These are German Messerschmitt planes, the legendary Soviet T-34 tank, and the famous Katyusha gun, which terrified German troops.

Every year about four thousand guests take part in the military-historical festival. The organizers take care of the organized delivery of guests to the holiday and the provision of parking spaces for those who decide to come by personal vehicle.

About 400 people take part in the reconstruction of the battle itself, as well as at least ten pieces of military equipment from the Great Patriotic War, produced in the 40s of the last century. The places where the festival takes place also attract a large number of tourists. These are fields and meadows next to

A large-scale performance is being prepared for the guests of the action, and after the reconstruction of the battle is completed, they can communicate with its participants and take unforgettable photographs.

The last time about 550 people took part in the reconstruction of the Prague Operation. 57 clubs from 19 Russian regions sent their representatives. There were about 100 German participants among them. It is worth noting that this is one of the largest military-historical festivals in the Moscow region.

Spectators witness the last operation of Soviet troops in the Great Patriotic War. held from May 6 to May 11, 1945.

They have existed on the territory of Russia since the birth of the reconstruction movement. Such associations have their own premises for training, storing various types of equipment and clothing, a workshop, etc. Clubs may have their own hierarchy within, which to one degree or another repeats the hierarchical structure of the period being reconstructed. In addition, members of the same club may have certain distinctive signs that allow them to be identified during major events (for example, shields of the same color or with a certain pattern, stripes, etc.).

It is worth noting that in the first years of its existence the participants historical clubs dressed in costumes that only superficially resembled historical ones, and were armed with either modern rifles or their dummies. Today, reenactor clubs are a whole industry, starting with historians who search for archival materials, as well as genuine items in various museum collections, tailors who hand sew uniforms and equipment, and ending with the creation of replicas of bladed weapons and firearms.

Among military historical club The clubs that recreate the events of the Patriotic War of 1812, the Second World War, and the Russian and European Middle Ages have gained the greatest popularity.

On average, the club size is 10-30 people. But in Russia there are also large clubs with a large number of people, which, as a rule, have their branches in other cities.

Young people who are actively involved in various military history clubs, attracts not only the opportunity to put on armor and pick up a real sword, but also to use it in practice.

Historical club takes part in large-scale events to reconstruct certain historical events. In addition to participating in festivals, clubs can also organize their own private events (for example, hikes, feasts and balls). Film directors very often invite people from KIR to participate in the filming of historical films. Organizers of exhibitions and presentations of a historical nature also cannot do without reenactors.

In addition to the actual battles themselves, historical reconstruction clubs They also recreate the everyday life (that is, the “living history”) of soldiers in field camps, accurately copying tents, utensils, as well as the process of cooking. In addition, on many holidays, participants who brought with them property that does not correspond to the reconstructed era may not be allowed into the camp or on the “field” at all.

Who you are?

Military-historical club Pionier Bataillon 1, Wehrmacht sappers, are located in Moscow. Formed as VEC in 2004, the first participation in events took place in 2005. Currently there are more than 25 people in the club.

How to join the club? What is needed for this?

The main desire, then you need to have free time and a certain amount of free finance. On our part, there are a number of simple requirements - age limit (lower limit 20 years), adequacy, lack of radical political beliefs, participation in club life.
To join, you can write a letter ( [email protected]) with a brief statement of your desire to join the ranks of our VIC, tell a little about yourself. The offer is relevant for residents of Moscow and the region. To find like-minded people in your region, create a topic in the communication section of our forum.

Where to begin? Where can I find all this? How much will it cost?

There is no definite answer, it’s different for everyone, but most prefer to start by purchasing a set of uniforms. I think that the order in which you purchase things is not important, the main thing is to assemble a complete set. You will have to invest 1000-1500 euros in a minimum set, but taking into account the fact that the process of acquiring things lasts for an average of six months, this will not be so hard on your pocket. We will tell you where, from whom and how much to buy all the things, if you have the desire, you can actually get ready in 2-3 months.

Activity. How often, where?

Let's start with a small classification of events - shows, tactics, private trips. They are held mainly in Moscow and the region, less often in Russia. There are events in Belarus and Ukraine, as well as in foreign countries. Major events happen 5-7 times a year, and the same number of local outings are held.

Minimum kit for reconstruction

1. Jacket and trousers M36 or M40
2. Helmet M35 or M40
3. Pilot M38
4. Boots (with spikes and horseshoes)
5. Undershirt or authentic T-shirt
6. Belt with buckle
7. Y-shaped harness
8. Pouches (pair) for clips for the Mauser 98 carbine - for the shooter, (for the machine gunner - a pistol holster and a box with spare parts, for the sapper - sapper bags and a backpack, for the orderly - sanitary pouches, for the doctor/paramedic - sanitary bag)
9. Rusk bag
10. Bowler
11. Flask (for an orderly - a medical flask)
12. A shovel with a cover; one of these items is allowed instead:
A. Hacksaw in a case
b. Flags in a case + bag with accessories for the miner.
With. Ax in a case
d. Mining scissors in a case
e. Large mining shovel in a case
13. Dummy bayonet in a scabbard on a suspension
14. Gas mask (a tank from it is allowed)
15. Anti-spirit cape in a case (its cover is allowed)
16. Raincoat-tent

Documentation:
Soldier's book
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