Marching men dressed in Nazi uniforms provoke anger at WW2 festival
Onlookers furious around group of around 10 men parade at military festival dressed in SS uniforms and speak in German
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A group of men dressed in German Nazi uniforms, including some with SS markings on their collars and swastika badges, have been condemned for their “deeply offensive” conduct at an annual Second World War festival.
The men sparked an angry reaction from onlookers, and had to be escorted out of a war-reenactment festival in Sheringham, Norfolk, after they were seen marching in unison in Nazi outfits and shouting orders in German.
Jewish News understands that several Jewish people were among those to protest at the spectacle, and that a confrontation with the group of around 10 men took place before police intervened.
The group were later named in newspaper reports as being members of the Eastern Front Living History Group.
A spokesperson for the group said:”“We represent the western European nations that fought against Stalin and communism during World War II. We were wearing Waffen SS infantry uniforms displaying national shields and insignia of the countries portrayed. ”
He said the uniforms were supplied by Germany, as were the weapons, to the foreign volunteers from 1941 to 1945. “They’re as close to authentic as you can get,” he added.
But Mike Keller, who lost family members in the Holocaust, told journalists described the sight of the uniforms was frightening.
He said:”“It was a lovely family atmosphere and very friendly, when suddenly from nowhere there were 10 to 15 men dressed in authentic SS uniform, literally marching in unison.
“It was deeply offensive. These men were not milling about and blending in among people. They were marching and making a demonstration. It was frightening.
“My father was from a Jewish family who lost his parents and brothers and sisters in death camps. He was fortunate to escape with my uncle via Kindertransport, so having to see this with my son was mortally offensive and a disgraceful act.”
Another person to witness the march, who was himself Jewish and who asked not to be named, also told Jewish News:”It seemed to me that this group of men believed they were some kind of authentic Nazi unit.”There outfits were 100 per cent genuine, and you could hear them speaking to one another in German.
“You find yourself questioning why they seem to think its fun parading around festivals all summer dressed like this.”
A Sheringham festival spokesman said that as long as they do not “promote the Nazis”, German outfits were permitted. He claimed the incident had been a misunderstanding and that the group was there to “commemorate the German people”.
The annual Second World War-themed weekend attracted around 25, 000 people.
A spokesman for Norfolk police also confirmed there had been a confrontation between the group and onlookers.They said: “A police officer on patrol in Sheringham came across a confrontation in the High Street on Saturday [16 September] at about 5.30pm, involving a man and a group of people who had been attending an event. The officer intervened and quickly resolved the incident. One man reported being assaulted and this is being investigated further. No one was injured.”
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust: “It is shocking and offensive to see in 2023 people dressed as Nazis and members of the SS – the very people responsible for the horrific ill-treatment and murder of 6 million Jewish men, women and children during the Holocaust.
“These people should not be glorified – and it sounds like the majority in attendance agree.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
