Is Skirmish Magazine a waste of time for WW2 Re-enactors.

[KDF]

Fair enough Paul. I guess We all have different ideas and opinions, as this thread has indicated, and we will all continue to persue them in our own ways.

I think that for you to say that the magazine has little or nothing to offer Axis reenactors is not correct. TFH, as you know, had a two issue article about the fall of Berlin. You can't get more Axis than the Fuhrer bunker! And as you also like to keep pointing out; We are not Axis reenactors. So I think there is no malice towards the Axis side of the hobby from Skirmish, or its readership. We've had nothing but positive feedback from it. And we featured everyone from VSt, FJ, French SS and the LAH.

KDF- As I said before, we all do this 'for the love' of it. Each person goes in to it with their own set of criteria. As you say, not everyone wants to get on film or in print and there are those that can be blinded by 'the glory' of the media - hopefully there are not too many of those types involved in this hobby. Anyway, I think you're too old for Blue Peter now...

Regards.

Mark,

Skirmish is like I said a business ...and only does it to make money....they may have an interest,but there are many periods of history to cover.I dont think many articles covering WW2 are good enough reason to keep buying it!

Yep it`s each to their own...And as for folk..."Being blinded by the glory of the media..." Well it seems there`s enough of that going about on here! I now realise why hardly anyone out of the total memberlist answers such posts...it`s cause we don`t actually wish to prolong some conversations about how great some groups are...and while this IS an Axis forum, there are groups who are not Axis on here .....and would be better off being on there?
* points to...* http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/

Infact thats why this forum came into being and is so popular!

Oh yes...I am to old for Blue Peter and for F##king about infront of camera`s ....

[Cookie]

Oh yes...I am to old for Blue Peter and for F##king about infront of camera`s ....

Yeah, have you seen the Blue Peter badge?! Its all blobs! Not like the good old days when it was a nice picture of a galleon.

PS- I haven't even voted on this so that means theres someone else who's not following the party line...

[Hoffman Grink]

And as you also like to keep pointing out; We are not Axis reenactors.

Do I? I think you mistake me for someone else.

And your merry little quip about not towing the party line is both unwarranted and unwelcome. Further evidence of a perceived gap NOT being quite bridged.....

If you truly feel "one of us" then there would be no need for such a throwaway one liner.

Still you take this thread away from its original purpose. Still you swim against the tide. Wayne puts a poll up - He sits and waits for it to take its course. A member of TFH whilst plugging the group and its achievements takes it slightly off tilt by challenging a statement made and backed up by the poll. Then continues to labour a point. Despite the poll further re-inforcing opinion to the contrary. But then again - I suppose "we" are all wrong in the face of such knowledgeable and specialised experts.... we better bow down and know our place hadn't we?

TFH Web Site
I took another look at the website to make sure I was convinced about your obvious, across the board status. Yep! you're right - It sure looks non US airborne biased to me -
If I may take a quote ©Thunder From Heaven from the front page

The main theme of our endeavours has been the U.S. Airborne soldier; both the Paratrooper or the "Glider Riders". We also re-enact images of the American Infantryman, or G.I. as he was known. Furthermore we also do impressions of British or German units, that compliment the main displays.

So US Airborne, American Infantryman, British Unit and then FOURTH (But we do get a mention) German Units.... But only to compliment the main displays.

Whats the real agenda here Mark? Please - do let us know. Are you "showing us how it should be done"? Do you feel insecure? Is there a different motivation within your group? I truly and publicly don't know - But I do feel uneasy with TFH of late - and so do a lot more - and none of us know quite why.

So at the risk of patronising you again - Leave it out - do what you do with those who you do it with.... and let the rest of the world get on with their version of things.... While some people ARE attempting to build real bridges.... there are always those who will set fire to the pillars...... and not always intentionally. If you want to continure this frankly peurile argument (cos that's what it's heading into) do it by PM. It's XMas and I haev got lot to be doing.

Go and try the argument on the Pozzi Pile... you may have better luck. On here you seem to be wrong and that can be hard to take.

Edn Ex, End Ex, See you in the assembly area. Shouting and making lots of noise!

[KDF]

Well quite frankly i aint voting on the poll either.I`ve yet to even think about asking said chappie why we are having these polls ,seems a waste of time....How many folk are registared on here? And as for the same poll being on Mr.P`s forum....
It`s quite simple....Skirmish is directed at most periods of history...WW2 as much as i like it, is not the only period and should not fill it completely!

Endex? *Blows his (own?) Whistle for once...lol

[Hoffman Grink]

Blows his (own?) Whistle for once...lol

ROFL!
That joke was tooooooo in for nearly everyone!!!!!

[Gunter]

If you don't like it. Don't buy it.

[Hoffman Grink]

If you don't like it. Don't buy it.

Exactly! And I don't anymore!

[Jon Das Reich]

Skirmish Mag is ok its not a WW2 only mag and covers as you all know all periods of reenactment., so some months you will have more WW2 articles than other months.
I find it a good enough read ( difficult to get by me) one of our guys sends me his copy after he has read it.
Wars Das Reich were in it when we 1st set out 4-5 years ago they approached us at Detling and got the info from us there in person.
IMHO i wouldnt think theres a market for a WW2 only magazine as theres plenty of mags that have WW2 reenactors in Skirmish, Armourer, classic military vehicles, Gun mart, razzle etc.

[Gliderinf]

I would prefer it to stick to proper armies.

As im quite happy for it to have a bit of:
Roman
ECW
Seven years war
Napoleonic
ACW
WW1
WW2
ETC

But can't be arsed with all the hairy warriors. No offence to those who like to do those areas, but they dont have proper kit/organisation/uniforms etc etc, so to me they are not interesting, as i am a kit junkie.

[FMROMMEL]

This is my point...

If this magazine wants to improve it's circulation, it needs to appeal to the masses, Most here don't get it because it is deemed not relavent to their hobby.......
However if you are a group of 4 who re-enact Gay/Lesbian Caveman you will get 4 pages ......
The vast majority of the General public want to see, read about things that are relavent to their family history and hobbies, ie ww1,ww2 and back as far as 1812.

what I am saying is if you look after the mainstream re-enactor, they will look after you., How many copies of skirmish are sold to the Gay/lesbian Caveman Association?


PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NOT GOT A PROBLEM WITH EITHER GAYS OR LESBIANS.

[abc123]

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NOT GOT A PROBLEM WITH EITHER GAYS OR LESBIANS.

But you do have a problem with cavemen?

[Kurt Volkmar]

This is my point...

If this magazine wants to improve it's circulation, it needs to appeal to the masses, Most here don't get it because it is deemed not relavent to their hobby.......
However if you are a group of 4 who re-enact Gay/Lesbian Caveman you will get 4 pages ......
The vast majority of the General public want to see, read about things that are relavent to their family history and hobbies, ie ww1,ww2 and back as far as 1812.

what I am saying is if you look after the mainstream re-enactor, they will look after you.

Sorry mate, but why do you think we are the masses (if i'm reading your point correctly)?
Other time periods far out number us WW2 re-enactors, I think they are the main stream readers that this magazine is aimed at, not us and therefore covers topic's which relate more to them.

[Hoffman Grink]

I'm with (although I hate to admit it) Sime on this - How many of us are there tops? 4000? IF THAT! We are a minority and a fringe (although I nearly typed we are a migratory fridge) and as such the magazine itself caters for minority interest.

No one buys it unless they are already a dresser upper or they are thinking about becoming one. It's not a serious historical tome. The articles are pretty lightweight and as soon as someone tries to write a meaty piece (I refer to Bob's JF stuff) it gets ripped (as I recall by some serious anti fasch nuts and the odd bigot) by folks who couldn't be bothered contributing but could be bothered complaining (I think they call the the Great British Public!) TFH made the effort and no matter what you think to motive or content - they will no doubt be slated somewhere along the line.

Maybe regular contributors are what is required - but the age old question - "What's in it for me?" raises its head. It's OK submitting the odd article here and there but when you have to do it regularly and for little or no remuneration you can always find something better to do.

I agree also with the statement made by Lyndon (Gunter) - "If you don't like it, don't buy it" That's what I did - it contained nothing of interest to me and so I stopped taking it. I voted with my feet or rather my purse.

Someone buys it though - they must or it would have gone kerplop by now. So we seem to have a consencus - whilst not unanimous, we agree broadly it misses out on capturing our particular sphere of interest. Maybe Wayne would like to take that back to the editor and try to address it positivley?