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Keep
your eyes open, Landser...
By
Jonathan Bocek
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Most (but
not all) reenactors go that extra step & make sure
they have period mail, paybooks, unit
patches/markings, etc. on them at events. To better
integrate these items into the scenario, we can do
what the Landsers did...
The
following poem and accompanying cartoon were taken
from a March 21st, 1945 edition of Front-Kurier.
This newspaper was printed for the consumption of the
German Army and consisted of a single folded sheet.
Contained in almost every issue was one of these
following "how to be a better soldat" tip.
A
loose translation of the above would be:
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KEEP
YOUR EYES OPEN, LANDSER...
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The
dead cannot talk,
therefore observe everything
carefully.
Rip off shoulder patches,
take papers and things like that
and always look through their
packs
for any envelopes.
If you come upon a vehicle,
look for a divisional emblem,
and quickly sketch it out on
paper,
the command will thank you for it,
Landser |
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When out
in the field at an event, go through prisoners'
pockets. Even if they say they don't have any
paperwork, search them! You never know what you
will find. At an event, I was taken prisoner
& had a map with mine locations marked on it.
It was in my tunic pocket and the enemy never searched
me to find it. Don't just look for maps, but
like it says above, look for letters, paybooks,
diaries, pictures, etc... These things sometimes
hold information that would be of interest to the OKW.
Yes, for the event it would not be of importance, but
during the war they would think it was.
If you
know the person who has surrendered, take their
tobacco or food. This is documented & adds
to the scenario (be sure that they wouldn't mind
before you do this). Also, if time permitting,
sketch enemy vehicle markings like stated above.
People will see what your doing and think it is a nice
touch to the impression. This way if you get
captured, you will have their vehicle markings in your
pocket and they will know the enemy is gathering
information.
I know
some will think this article to be kind of pointless
for reenacting, but it is the little details that add
a certain aspect to the scenario. It is easy to
do & will set you apart from the others.
Sources:
- Der Meldeweg Nr.1, Summer 1991
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