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      Events
In World War II reenacting there are three basic types of events; these are Private Tactical Battles, Public Living History Events, and Community Events. Many units only attend Private Tactical Battles. Other favor Living History Events. Some units, including the 442nd attend all three types. Which is noted if you look at our photographs from past events.
Private Tactical Battles - These battles are large scale events, usually held on national guard bases, boy scout camps, or private land. There are about eight small battles and two mega battles. The small battles will average 45 to 70 participants, and the mega battles will average 250 to 300 participants. The mega battles involve full armor, which includes both Allied and German tanks, halftracks, trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and artillery pieces.
The two mega battles which includes armor are ETO (European Theater of Operations) and involved American, British and German units. The smaller battles usually break out with three ETO battles, one PTO (Pacific Theater of Operation), one Desert Battle and three OST Front battles which involve Russian and German units only.
Public Living History Events - These events are put on by private organizations, and involved reenactors not only from World War II, but all throughout history. These events typically find the units, putting up a tent and creating some sort of encampment. The objective of these events is to interact with the public and educate them on the many facets of World War II. These events may also involve a public display reenactment which is staged.
Two examples of Living History events are Fort MacArthur Days held in July, and Marching through History held in October.
Community Events - These events included Air Shows, Parades, Public Service events, and Gun show displays. In the case of Parades, they typically only have Allied units attending. Examples of these events are the Chino Air Show held in May and the Huntington Beach Parade held July 4th.
Enlistment
First off reenactors are not actors. We are all regular people, who share a common interest in the study of World War II. Whether that be history, military tactics and weaponry, vehicles, clothing and gear, or the era in general.
The California Historical Group or CHG is the largest World War II reenactor group on the west coast with over 500 members and 19 allied and axis units. No other organization can match the amount of armor and vehicles presented at events. There are American, British, Red Army, Australian, German, Italian, and Japanese units. No other organization has ETO, PTO, MTO and OST front battles.
All units welcome new people into their ranks, and are always open to new people coming out to an event to see what reenacting is like. Some have loaner gear and clothing and some even have loaner rifles if you need one. These units range in size from five to fifty plus members. But because of their size some units don't attend all of the events, picking those events that they have enough people, and sometimes will have less than ten people show up.
No matter what unit you pick you are picking a group of guys you want to hang out with on and off the field. For the most part you can't tell the personality of the unit or even how active it is until you've been to several events with them. Accordingly our unit has created a very active internet forum, which you can visit and see first hand how our guys interact with each other. The forum is a great way to stay connected with your fellow unit members after the battle is over, to share experiences, photos, and just to keep up to date on what is happening.
Gear, Clothing and Rifle
During World War II the American Combat Soldier was exposed to the greatest evolution of clothing that has ever been seen. Prior to World War II all military powers outfitted their soldiers with one basic uniform, which they used to fight in, drill with, parade, and even travel home in. During World War II clothing and gear could change from year to year, and from one theater of operation to the next.
World War II reenactors strive to "as a unit" look the most authentic they can be. This means using a combination of original items and specially made reproductions. But because there was so much variety and mixing of items, most reenactor units establish a "basic army impression" which all members start with, and can add to over time if they chose. This includes adding dog tags, a watch, lighter, or bayonet to mention a few, as well as other types of jackets, boots, or packs.
 By having a standard "basic army impression", all the members in the 442nd look like one cohesive fighting unit. This basic impression, is such that it can be worn at any event, whether it be "early war" or "late war". Early War are those events which have a scenario before October of 1944. Late War events have their scenario dates, after October 1944.
The photograph to the left shows our unit's basic army impression. It includes all of the items needed, plus shows some of the extra items you may want to add later.
The objective is to spend your money wisely, and not to buy things which you won't use on a regular basis, or are not authentic for the period. Also some items can be expensive so it is important to get a friendly opinion from someone else in the unit.
The basic impression is that of a riflemen. But you can also chose to be a medic, war correspondent, or combat photographer. But in the case of a riflemen, everyone starts out as a private carrying an M1 Garand. M1 Carbines and Thompsons are carried my those members who have moved up in rank. Of which is outlined in the unit's Table of Organization & Equipment.
Whether it be clothing, web gear, or a weapon, we have sources and experience in obtaining all of it. In the case of helmets we recondition old helmets, in order to offer our members a authentic but cheap alternative to the expensive ones out in the market. We look through ebay scouting out the best deals and options for our members. You will not be alone in your search for the proper, authentic and least expensive gear.
For someone just getting into this hobby we have plenty of loaner gear and M1 Garands. We don't expect you to get all of the gear at once, but most of what is pictured above should be obtained within one year. Also you shouldn't wait, until you have all your gear to contact us. Join our forums and get connected, and stay in touch throughout the process with other guys doing the same thing, so that when you step onto that battlefield you can give the impression your a soldier from World War II.
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