It is estimated that over 18 milion identity discs (Erkennungsmarken) were stamped and issued by the German Armed Forces in World War Two. It's unique design, with a perforated centre and identitical details on each half, carried no name but instead a unit designation and numbers that would identity the soldier when cross-referenced with official records.

In this epsiode Chris goes on a deep dive into the world of Erkennungsmarken from both a reenacting and collecting perspective and explains why he doesn't deal in battlefield relic identity discs......

As ever, a very big thank you to everyone that supports the Podcast via Patreon - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters with access to all of our Patreon exclusive content for as little as $5 a month.

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The ability to source both original and reproduction items from overseas is an important part of the hobby for many reenactors - however recent changes in the United States mean that buying from Europe , or any other part of the world , has become more problematic....and expensive.

At the end of August 2025 the Trump Administration removed the long-standing "de minimus" arrangement whereby non-commercial imports under the value of $800 usually had all duties and tariffs waived.

This move sent shock waves not only through many in the reenacting community in America but also amongst overseas vendors and suppliers who regularly sell to US-based customers.

In this episode Chris talks to Adrian from Epic Militaria in the UK about the impact that the changes have had on their business and how they are helping US-based customers navigate the situation.....

As ever, a very big thank you to everyone that supports the Podcast via Patreon - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters with access to all of our Patreon exclusive content for as little as $5 a month.

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For many reenactors using a vintage camera loaded with film is the best way to capture images at an event - they provide a more authentic and tangible record than their digital counterpart and having only 12 or 36 shots available per roll of film really focuses the mind when it comes to subject matter and composition .

In this episode Chris talks to Vijay, a WW2 reenactor from Chicago who has combined his passions for both vintage photography and living history and, as a result, is making a well deserved name for himself within the hobby thanks to the quality of his images.

You can view many of Vijay's stunning photographs by checking him out on Instagram...

@escshift01

As ever, a very big thank you to everyone that supports the Podcast via Patreon - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters with access to all of our Patreon exclusive content for as little as $5 a month.

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Ever since our first Halloween Special way back in 2019 every year we've brought you a selection of our listeners spookiest stories . From late night encounters with spectoral sentries or enemy combatants to original items in your collections that maintain a malevolent aura long after World War Two.

This year the story submissions were more spine-chilling than ever - so sit back, lock the doors and prepare to be spooked..............

As ever, a very big thank you to everyone that supports the Podcast via Patreon - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters with access to all of our Patreon exclusive content for as little as $5 a month. Thank you again everyone.

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In this episode UK based reenactor and long time friend of the show Ludwig Topf tells Chris about the events that he has attended this summer - including one organised by the "We Have Ways" WW2 history podcast where he swapped his regular German uniform for a British one for the weekend and had a vigorous exchange of views with comedian and podcast host Al Murray in the beer tent.....

As ever, a very big thank you to all our Patrons for their support - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters with access to all of our Patreon exclusive content !

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As temperatures drop and the days get shorter across North America and Europe here is another chance to hear an epsiode originally recorded back in October 2022 when Chris and Ben Tracey discussed why Fall is, in their opinion, perhaps the best time of the year to reenact WW2 in the field. Let us know if you agree ?

As ever, a very big thank you to all our Patrons for their support - we really couldn't do this without you ! Why not sign up and become one of our growing band of supporters with access to all of our Patreon exclusive content !

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At the age of just 31 Gunter Rapp already has 20 year of reenacting under his belt. Starting out with Colonial Period living history at 11 years of age he then moved onto American Civil War and was for a long time a well known face amongst East Coast German Reenactors too. Now based in California he joins Chris to talk about what it was like to be a part of the hobby at such a young age, how he has got into the militaria business and predicts that the Vietnam War could be the next big development within reenacting.....

Ever find that some original tems are impossible to locate or way out of your budget but buyer demand is so small that reproduction vendors simply don't stock..... ?

In this episode Chris is joined by Tim Nott of Second Battle Group in the UK to talk about how to fabricate at home some of those hard to find items that can often add an extra dimension to reenacting - plus Tim gives a review of one of the biggest annual reenacting events in the UK , Military Odyssey, which took place last weekend

A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, and your regular contributions really do keep the show on the air. You can sign up for as little as $5 a month to unlock regular exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/reenactorpodcast

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The wearing of Medals and Awards is often a hot button topic amongst reenactors. In this, the latest in his series of deep dives, Rudi Lange looks at Assault and Close Combat Awards and tackles the thorny question of if they should be worn within the hobby.

The book that Rudi references and recommends towards the end of the episode is...

"The Face of Courage : The 98 Men Who Recieved the Knight's Cross and the Close-Combat Clasp in Gold" (Stackpole Military History)

A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, and your regular contributions really do keep the show on the air. You can sign up for as little as $5 a month to unlock regular exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/reenactorpodcast

In this episode Chris is joined by Adam Bednar from 5.Kp GD and Casey Sill from Fox Company, 101 Airborne to talk about a new late war event taking place in Iowa in October and how creating constructive dialogue and collaboration with Allied units leads to better outcomes at events.

For more information on the Iowa event please visit the link below....

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Eyg7DGitS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A big thank you to everyone who supports the podcast via Patreon - we appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, and your regular contributions really do keep the show on the air. You can sign up for as little as $5 a month to unlock regular exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/reenactorpodcast