Marching men dressed in Nazi uniforms provoke anger at WW2 festival

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.”