WWII HRS Authenticity Regulations
(Updated 02-04-2013)
GENERAL
Safety and Authenticity rules are controlled and enforced by members appointed by the Vice-President/Chairperson to the Safety and Authenticity Committees. These rules may be changed at any time by a majority vote of that committee. One (1) general safety/authenticity inspection of both Allied and Axis participants WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE SAME DESIGNATED TIME AND LOCATION at any WWII H.R.S., Inc. sponsored event, so that all participants can observe that it was conducted.
The safety/authenticity inspection formation will be conducted as follows. Units will form up, by unit and nationality, in an area designated by the event organizers. No INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS OR UNITS will retire to the field before the general inspection takes place.
Exception to above:
Event planning staff members who need to enter the field, when an unforeseen incident, accident or emergency requires their immediate attention that would interfere with the smooth running of the event, if not attended to. It will still be the responsibility of said members to be inspected prior to entering the field as a participant or participants.
Violators of safety and/or authenticity rules can be brought before the Board of Directors for disposition. It is the responsibility of each individual member registered at an event to be inspected by an appointed Safety/Authenticity officer at the mandatory event inspection. Willful avoidance of the inspections shall be grounds for removal of the offender from the event. Repeated offenses shall be grounds for removal from the WWII H.R.S., Inc.
AUTHENTICITY
1. We are here to portray the normal look of the WWII soldier, not the exception.
2. Any HRS unit that hosts an event has the authority to determine rank structure and who may participate as Officers and NCOs in the public battles, skirmishes, skits and tacticals for that event. The host unit has the option to create temporary Officer/NCO positions for the purpose of administering the hosted event, and does not change the chartered Officer/NCO structure for the units involved. This rule does not supersede rank structure of a chartered HRS unit for the purpose of a "Living History" static display. Non-HRS units/individuals that are attending as guests to HRS events are also subject to the host unit(s) review to ensure that re-enactment unit rank structure for displays will be fitting to the type of display the unit has set up at the event.
3. Medals or decorations that were not created pre-June 1945 may not be worn. Appropriate awards, badges, campaign, and citation ribbons may be worn if they reflect the credits of the unit being portrayed. US or Allied medals of valor may not be worn by anyone who did not earn them in actual military service, to include medals that may be awarded for both valor and service.
4. Hair must be cut to a common WWII style, regardless if it can be openly seen or not.
For male impressions, hair must be tapered and trimmed to the nape of the neck and around the ears, so as not to touch the ears or collar. Hair cannot be "glued", tucked in, or tucked under any headgear or article of clothing etc. in an attempt to hide an incorrect haircut. Blocked haircuts are not permitted. Sideburns can be no longer than mid-ear.
Mustaches must be trimmed to a common WWII style. All mustaches must be trimmed above the upper lip line, not extend past the edge of the mouth more than 1/4 inches, and not drop down around the corners of the mouth. Exceptions are permitted under the circumstances listed below:
a. British or Commonwealth impressions.
b. Partisan impressions.
c. Civilian impressions
Beards shall be defined as any facial hair, other than sideburns or mustaches, which are longer than a two (2) day growth (about 1/8 inches). Beards must be trimmed to a common WWII style and may not be longer than 1 inch. All members of military unit must have beards, in order for one person to wear a beard. Beards are not permitted, except in circumstances listed below:
a. Partisan impressions.
b. German Gebirgsjäger unit impressions.
c. Australian unit impressions in the PTO.
d. Civilian impressions.
SS troops may not have any facial hair whatsoever, which include mustaches and beards. Females portraying male impressions must conform to male hair standards. Participants found in violation of these hair, mustache, and beard regulations cannot wear any uniform/costume or participate in the event as a reenactor whatsoever, to include, display interpreters or battlefield reenactment participants..
5. Modern sunglasses are not allowed.
6. Weapons must be of pre-June 1945 military type used by the unit portrayed, or an acceptable replica. The Safety and Authenticity committee may ban the use of pre-1945 weapons in cases where their use is not authentic. Weapons manufactured after 1945 may be used if they duplicate a WWII weapon. Realistic metallic replicas that are airsoft or air guns are allowed only for display purposes if their propellant method has been made inoperable and received inspection proving no projectile or propellant remains in the replica. Plastic replica weapons are not to be used or displayed.
Created on Oct 24, 2010
7. Uniforms, equipment, insignia, and emblems must be of a type, style, and material in use by the unit portrayed during WWII.
8. WWII Italian camouflage may be used by Italian and German units (but must be sewn on the proper pattern for German units). Austrian and West German camouflage are NOT allowed.
9. To serve as a member of the Authenticity Committee a person must be a member of the WWII H.R.S., Inc. for at least two (2) years, and send a letter to the chairman of the Authenticity Committee. A committee member serves until either he resigns or is dismissed. Members of the Authenticity Committee should be selected, whenever possible, from units showing the highest levels of authenticity.
10. A member of the Authenticity Committee must be willing and able to attend events and make on-the-spot judgments about authenticity matters.
11. Members of the Authenticity Committee may be removed from office for the failure to enforce the WWII H.R.S., Inc. authenticity rules or failure to renew their WWII H.R.S., Inc. membership on time. Any members of the WWII H.R.S., Inc. may challenge a committeeman's position on the committee. The challenge must be voted on by the other members of the Authenticity Committee. Removal is by a majority vote.
12. Appeals on matters of authenticity may be made by the submission to the chairman of the authenticity committee in writing with six (6) photographs; three (3) of the items used by the re-enactor and three (3) photographs taken during the WWII period. These pictures must be proven original and/or copies from a published source and must show the disputed item in use by troops of the same unit, type, and rank as the re-enactor. A majority vote by the members of the authenticity committee shall decide the issue.
13. The Authenticity Committee shall have the power to recommend to the Board of Directors the removal from the WWII H.R.S., Inc. of any person or unit that is flagrant or repeated violator of authenticity rules. The Board of Directors must then pass judgment on the recommendation.
14. Event coordinators must maintain minimum authenticity standards at all SOCIETY sponsored events of any type. A specific authenticity manager should be designated at each event that must be declared to the Safety and Authenticity Committee at least thirty days prior to the event. Authenticity managers may be declared on a permanent basis each year.
15. In the enforcement of the authenticity rules, the committee will make allowances for the extreme cold and/or wet conditions, where the safety and health of the members may be threatened.
16. Any and all members and/or dealers of the WWII H.R.S., Inc. who manufacture reproduction uniforms and equipment for sale to other WWII H.R.S., Inc. members for the use at WWII H.R.S., Inc. events must provide a money-back guarantee (upon buyer's request) that the item (s) will pass authenticity inspection. Persons not honoring this guarantee, either written or otherwise, are subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors and/or removal from the event or from the WWII H.R.S., Inc.
17. The Authenticity Committee may rule that certain modern items, which have been allowed for use due to lack of available reproductions, may be banned when authentic reproductions or that item itself becomes widely available at reasonable prices.
18. All vehicles will be judged on a case-by-case basis and must be manufactured before 1946 or must represent a type used by Allied or Axis powers during the 1939-1945 period. All post 1945 vehicles must be altered to duplicate a pre-1945 vehicle and be properly painted. Photographs of all altered manufactured vehicles must be submitted to the Authenticity Committee along with authentic photos or photocopies of original photos of the same type vehicle. If judgment is in favor of the rebuilt vehicle, a permit will be issued by the chairman of the Authenticity Committee.
19. Due to the availability of good quality affordable reproduction uniforms, Swedish tunics are not acceptable, converted or otherwise, for use by German WWII units.
20. Partisans are NOT allowed at WWII H.R.S., Inc. events unless an announcement is published in THE POINT, or THE EDGE, or the website inviting them.
a. Partisans must use the type of clothing and equipment normally worn in that country portrayed.
b. Equipment to be used by partisans will be limited to German, Russian, Italian, French and British where appropriate.
c. Partisan re-enactors must be able to provide documentation of their appearance and equipment for that particular country portrayed, if a question of authenticity arises. In that situation, Authenticity rule #12 will apply.
21. Members under 16 years old shall not wear a military uniform, but may wear either civilian period clothing or a youth organization uniform without armband.
VEHICLE AUTHENTICITY
Questions
Members
who have questions regarding the safety regulations should contact a member of the Board of Directors.
Changes
Members who
wish to propose changes to the by-laws, safety, or authenticity regulations, should follow
the protocol as directed in the by-laws. |
