U-505 Home Page

U-505 Mannschaft

Welcome to the website of the U-505 Crew Reenacting Unit!

News
It's hard to believe that September wrapped up the third season of the U-505 reenacting unit. Reenactorfest 6 is right around the corner, which will mark the official third anniversary of the unit's founding. We've come a long way and have made a lot of great Kameraden. The next year will prove a rather trying one as the majority of our current members will be deploying to active military duty. HALF.
Christopher Yaw - U.S. Coast Guard
Travis Hanlin - U.S. Army
Andrew Garrison - U.S.M.C
Trevor Millikin - U.S. Navy
Christopher Vesel - U.S. Navy

We're very proud of our active military members and hope their experiences with the unit only prove as the best of memories to comfort their hearts and minds as they engage in the trying challenges of their various tasks of duty.
God bless them all.

On the homefront the U-505 continues to recruit for the Musuem of Science and Industry project.
We've made some great international contacts that we hope will aid us in accumulating the numbers necessary to put on our dream event with the U-505.

Why the U-505?

As one might imagine reenacting Kriegsmarine isn't the first impression people think of when someone mentions WWII reenacting. This is obviously because it's pretty hard to portray the crew of a naval vessel without the naval vessel itself. As members of the U-505 mannschaft reenacting unit we simply want to educate the public on this mostly overlooked aspect of WWII history. Along with displays at WWII reenactments we hope to organize events with the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL to actually "man" the U-505 itself for public events and perhaps someday recreate the capturing of the vessel. Two of our leading officers in the unit are actually part of the filmed reenactment of the capturing that is featured as part of the U-505 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Since these prospective events will more than likely only be a couple times a year we've developed an accommodating method of gathering at regular events.

Since all of us have regular combat impressions we portray at regular events we've deemed our U-boat crewman portrayal as a "Batman Impression". This meaning that by day each one of us, no matter what our regular impression, can go out with our regular combat units and participate in those activities. Then at night we can simply change uniforms and meet at USO dances or whatever other reenactor gatherings as a full U-boat crew and blow people away! Imagine being able to take part in the opening seen of Das Boot, within reason, recreated at the our "Occupied France" party (currently being planned for this coming reenacting season). Then be able to return to camp that night and change back to your regular impression for the next day. It simply gives us an opportunity to meet with one another and have some fun with a secondary impression that will not interfere with our primary combat ones. This is also done with inter-unit relations in mind. At these gatherings you'll be able to network and make lasting friendships with reenactors from all corners of the hobby and carry that into your interaction at future events.

This unit isn't one of strictly social gatherings though. We have a full set of readings, required for each member, to prepare us for future public displays and events with the Museum of Science and Industry so that they will have nothing but the most knowledgeable "Boot heads" at their disposal.

Minimal commitment, maximum event opportunity and pure camaraderie, what do you have to loose?! Join up today!

Recruitment

The U-505 Mannschaft is now officially accepting applicants to join the founding members. If you're interested in joining please contact the email address below as well as printing out the application form (Click recruitment poster). After sending in your application and your status as a kandidat is approved we will contact you about putting together your kit.

Thanks for your interest in the U-505 Mannschaft!

JOIN UP!