MISSION STATEMENT

Our Purpose

Our mission is to recreate the life and experiences of the average German Grenadier in World War II. To this end we seek to portray the German soldier who was doing his patriotic, and sometimes forced, duty to his fatherland. We avoid political overtones and do not seek to glorify any Nazi ideals or actions.

Our Unit Role

Our official impression is the 4th Company of the 914th Grenadier Regiment of the 352nd Infantry Division. As a Heavy Weapons Company, we operate partially outside of the normal tactics at re-enactments. Our role is both to advance attacks as well as support the Rifle Companies in the Regiment. These two Platoons were made up of a Heavy Machine Gun Platoon and a Mortar Platoon and are our main tactical units.

In our unit we also have a Headquarters section. This consists of Command, Communication, and Medical elements. With a Headquarters section we need runners, clerks, radio operators, and similar personnel. Since these are largely non-combatant roles, we can employ those younger (16+) members of the re-enacting community, who cannot yet legally field with weapons, in an active and useful role. We can also employ older members of the community who may not be as mobile as they once were!

Life as a 914th Grenadier

Our field impression is primarily a late war look, reflecting the uniforms and equipment that would have been issued to Grenadier unit from 1943 until the end of the war. As a unit we hold regular training events to properly portray the German Grenadier of WWII.

Beyond private tactical events, as part of the Living History Association’s WWII Committee we also take part in public displays to educate the public on the uniform, gear, weapons, manners, and lifestyle of the typical German soldier of WWII.

Why the 352nd Division, 914th Regiment?

Our choice of the 352nd Infantry Division, 914th Regiment is a result of many years of research.

First: The 352nd Division was a D-Day division. It was probably the first German division to make contact with the Allies on D-Day. This makes it a historically significant unit. Since many WWII re-enactments center around the D-Day invasion, portrayal of this division will add an authentic element.

Second: The 352nd Division was formed primarily from veterans from the Russian Front sent back to the west to be re-fitted. These men were considered valuable because of their existing combat experience.

Third: The 352nd Infantry Division, 914th Regiment is largely comprised of members from the New England area. The primary U.S. Divisions re-enacted in our area are 26th, the 101st, and the 82nd Divisions. All these divisions engaged the 914th in France. Thus we are able to provide for modern generations a glimpse of how the adversaries of our local heroes were armed, clothed, and equipped.