39 Years of Living History
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Formed
in 1978 the Second Battle Group is the UKs longest serving Second World War
Living History and Historical Society. The SBG portrays Grenadiers of the
1.SS.Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. This division was chosen
because not only was it Germany's elite fighting formation but it also fought on
every major front in W.W.II (excluding North Africa) making participation of
this unit at any W.W. II event historically acceptable. We do not aim to glorify
war or the Nazi Regime but we do aim to portray the fighting German Waffen SS
soldier of W.W. II as accurately as possible. We do this by wearing the most
authentic uniforms available and by using many original vehicles and weapons.
Vehicles owned by the group consist of a 1947 Czech. Tatra which is under
conversion to resemble an Sd Kfz 251 and an original W.W. II Opel Blitz both of
which are owned and funded collectively by SBG members. In it's 29 year history
the SBG has worked with many prestigious organisations, establishments and TV
companies including the BBC, BBC 2,
ITV, channel 4,
channel 5 and the Discovery and
History channels who have also shown programs featuring the
SBG. You can find links to these further on down this page and on the
events page. Even if the SBG itself hasn't appeared in
some TV programs a lot of the groups vehicles and equipment is still loaned out
and for example our Opel Blitz was used in ITV's "Island at War" series.
We have also provided services and members to schools, colleges and (T.A.) army
units (free of charge) around the UK where SBG members are invited along to give
talks about the German fighting soldiers of WWII, their uniforms, equipment,
weapons and combat tactics etc.
Other vehicles owned by members include two Steyr 1500', A W.W.II German
made Ford V3000s three ton truck, Hansa Lloyd truck, an original Schwimmwagen, a Kübelwagen, two
replica Kübelwagens, a replica
SdKfz 222 armoured car, various Zündapp and BMW motorcycle combinations and a
replica PzKpfw. Mk III. We also have an original Flak
38 (used in saving private ryan) and two further Flak 38's under restoration, a
PaK 40 and
finally a PaK 35/36. Vehicles owned by associated
members or friends of the SBG consist of an original Hetzer SPG, A Demag personnel
carrier, Steyr, Schwimmwagen, Various Kübelwagens, Kettenkrads and a rare
Raupenschlepper Ost and replica Stug. III. Heavy weapons consist of a 105mm Howitzer, 150mm Howitzer,
Pak 40, Pak 38 and two Pak 35/36 anti tank guns. These vehicles and weapons are
often used by the SBG at public shows and are frequently used for filming
purposes. However, the owners sometimes let us use them for private battle
re-enactments.
Events are usually held monthly and consist of Public and Private Battle Re-enactment's where famous campaigns such as the Ardennes 1944 or Normandy ‘44 are reconstructed. Other events consist of photo sessions, filming weekends, Battlefield tours and excavations, "Live" firing days, Regimental dinners and training days where the SBG is taught correct W.W.II German combat, marching and rifle drill. At least two training days or weekends are held every year, one combat and one parade. During combat training days members are taught how to act in combat proficiently and as part of a team (i.e. MG42 crew or Half track section). On parade training days members are taught how to wear their uniforms and equipment correctly as well as simple marching and rifle techniques. These training days are essential as when the group takes part in re-enactments or in film work etc. the membership can confidently march into "Battle" and conduct themselves properly and safely. Weapons handling and storage is essential and members are taught how to use, carry and store weapons in a safe manner, not only to be safe to other re-enactors and the public, but to themselves also. Anyone can put on a uniform and pull a trigger but to act in a professional and safe way is paramount in the SBG. However, it's never forgotten that re-enactment is a hobby and should be enjoyed as a pastime. Although we take re-enactment very seriously we also ensure that the membership enjoys itself.
A
newsletter is issued monthly giving details of past and forthcoming events,
members experiences during battle field tours and expeditions as well as related
articles about military modelling, weapons, vehicles and personalities etc. The
SBG has appeared in many prestigious magazines such as Military
Modelling,
Military Hobbies, Militaria Collector, Military in Scale, Gun Mart and various
newspapers and magazines across the UK. We have also produced our own book which
is entitled "War machines", appeared on T.V. throughout the world on
the "Discovery" and "History" channels
as well as the BBC where we were filmed in London for
the distinguished historian Dan Cruikshank's "Invasion"
series. We have worked with and appeared on ITV (Adolf and
Ava, Hitler and Bormann), BBC 2's "S.O.E." 4 part
series, channel 4 and channel 5's "Hitler's
Britain" and "The Brit's who fought for Hitler". We also feature
in Steven Spielbergs W.W. II movie "saving private ryan" staring Tom
Hanks, Matt Damon, Ed Burns and Tom Sizemore and more recently "FURY" starring
Brad Pitt. "After The Battle"
magazine have produced giant full colour posters of
the SBG on various W.W. II German vehicles (including our Half track) which are
on sale World Wide and we have also appeared on The Tank Museum Bovington
information leaflet. We have also
worked with prestigious organisations such as the
British Ex-P.O.W Association and the British 7th
Armoured Division (Thetford Forest Memorial) Asscociation. We attend many significant W.W.II military vehicle shows
including the annual "War & Peace show" at the Whitbread Hop Farm, Beltring, Kent
and the
"Military Odyssey" show held yearly in Detling, Kent where the SBG usually displays many German W.W. II vehicles and
heavy weaponry making it the most impressive WWII displays of these shows. For further
information about the SBG or becoming a member E-mail us at this address
admin@secondbattlegroup.co.uk
The SBG is acutely aware of its
controversial portrayal in this hobby and is a totally non political
organization.
People with para military, ideological or extreme views will NOT be accepted as
members.