Question of positioning

I think in general no consideration would have been given to left handers they would have been required to conform to the 'norm' which until relatively recently was being right handed, I'm assuming the German view was the same as the British view that left handers were some how abnormal, I've spoken to left handed people who were forced to write right handed at school and that's post war up into the 50s possiably the 60s.

However we're not really in the army, (either British or German), so if it makes life easier no ones going to stop you putting your gear where it's most practical for you, I certainly setup my webbing for my comfort and ease of access.

Concur. I don't think any army considered cack-handed soldiers (unlike today there weren't even any ambidextrous fire arms). Kit would look daft on parade if it weren't consistent and neat and alien to army ways. So everyone was right handed.

Practically speaking I've always found it hard to undo and do up a breadbag anyway, right-handed or not (so I don't straddle the bag either side of the upright back strap but put both hangers on the right of it so I can pull it round to side and get at it easily).

I'm assuming the German view was the same as the British view that left handers were some how abnormal,

Correct, up until the 1950's all Germans were brought up to be right handed, left handedness was considered to be unnatural. Bread bags are hard to get into even when your right handed, I do the same as Chommers, it helps a bit

Edit: Just a thought, you coud wear it with a shoulder strap so its over your right buttock but swing it around to your left side to gain access

thank you gents, i wanted to get a feel for expectations and thought this would be a good example to use seeing as it was in fact something i would need to address. now have an an idea of how such issues are viewed and overall expectation, as someone pointing out i had something in the wrong place would probably get the minimum of a glare from me, so its best to understand ..."eticate" spelt wrong i think. so i can match my expectations to those of others, as its not just about me having a good time but ensuring i contribute to other enjoyment with equal importance.

I do have another question, again so i have the correct mind set. When the events are taking place is there a structured chain of command. I am hoping there is as the unstructured approach of a lot of airsoft teams (modern) is very hit and miss and i fine working as a unit far more fulfilling, but i also need to set myself as the "new" guy and a basic infantry man, so i am ready to follow orders...something i am not used to as i normally give them. so ego left at home

thanks guys, hoping to be able to put my name forward for the Drakelow tunnels event once i can confirm i am in the country on that date and there are still spots available.

edit - oops another question how are helmet cams viewed as they break up the general "look" are they an accepted addition or frowned upon?

As for events it's down to what the event is, at Greenback(my first WW2 event) everyone was put in there sections, Allies were in there companies, axis in zugs. Prideofengland took the role as gruppenfuhrer and the event orgnizers took up the CO roles(Which I believe most organizers perfer)

Everyone at the event was friendly and there a great bunch of guys. I wounldn't worry too much about being the "new guy"

another question how are helmet cams viewed as they break up the general "look" are they an accepted addition or frowned upon?

That would be up to the event organiser, I guess. Sometimes people do a small amount of filming, but IMO, a permanent helmet cam looks very out-of-place.

I don't think I've ever seen any helmet cam or gun cam footage that is worthy of watching and the concept probably belongs in the realms of open day airsoft rather than WW2 airsoft so my opinion, for what it's worth, is aligned with Steiner's.

if you can hide it well and its a small camera i don't see too much of a problem, its if you end up with a big plastic lump sticking out the side of your helmet then you're going wrong

If you're more worried about filming the event than being in the moment of it, you'll enjoy the day less.

Ditch the cameras and let someone else worry about it!

Helmet camera footage is abysmal.
Second only to the irritating shooting techniques employed in some TV shows where the camera is constantly moving.

IMO, the footage which most looks like a person's eye view comes from a SteadiCam...

Hi I'm on a phone so illl be brief and type proper reply tonight, headcam was used at frankie ww2 game last year, you couldant even see it, the guy had scrubbed his helmet so well I didnt know until the video came out, it worked good outside, inside was not to hot, I'll chat tonight

In my opinion videos of airsofting never come out well and do the event justice - I think its the sound more than anything that spoils the illusion, lack of gunfire being one (airsoft guns sound horrible!) and hearing everyone speak with English accents destroys the imersion of Germans V Russians! You don't notice it when you're in the field when the adreneline is going, but as soon as you watch it back on the computer its hard to imagine its the same event.

heck no, it's us lot. How many videos tend to show 2 guys stood, slightly stooped, guns up, in the middle of a road; occasionally dropping their gun and jogging back 5 paces when fire comes in then going back to it.

You can cut all sound off, and play a track over the top and they still look naff. Film people marching, never film them shooting.

Note: this does not apply to Martins videos, now they are done properly, and edited right, and look the bees knees.

Regarding German kit worn "left-handed" there are infact plenty of original photos of soldats wearing kit "wrong" especially pistol holsters. There are also plenty of photos of k98's being fired left handed.

I agree that on parade kit would be worn in the prescribed manner but in the field it's often worn how it works best for the individual.

I am also left handed and do infact wear my belt order " right-handed" and never had any issues getting to the bread bag.

Regarding Ambidextrous weapons, the mp40 does actually have an ambi sling mount so it can be slung either left or right handed! Not sure if it was the intention to cater for south paws or not when they designed that feature but it is rather handy!

Right boss has gone out. can finally get on the t`internet

Simon, a headcam was used at the anarchy game in 2011 but the guy had scrimmed his helmet so well, i didnt even see it.
he posted the video footage after the event, and it was good as far as airsoft goes

as others have said, its HARD to make a "good" airsoft vid, but it can be done, see bedsnhearts boryzyn loop vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvFJVfihzuI

Glad your coming to the Fuhrers escape, and if you want to film , i dont mind, but please try very hard to hide the camera, ideally if no one notices from 6 feet away, thats good for me, but its bloody dark in some parts, footage may not be good
There will be moments in the event when cameras will work ok, but i cant go into to much detail without spoiling the plot

heres oddballs video, its like a film

but the headcam footage is in there early on, ( about 6 mins in) when the americans drive into the tunnel complex. just so you will see how it looks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJkjuViLj1c

see you in december , porta

there are in fact plenty of original photos of soldats wearing kit "wrong" especially pistol holsters. There are also plenty of photos of k98's being fired left handed

Go on then, show us.
There is one I remember, it features a squad of bicycle riders all with breadbags etc worn on the wrong side.
Found it;

I know its not a reversed print as the bolts are correct on the rifles.
How can you wear a pistol holster wrong? Cross draw was common in German units, tankers often wore it in the small of the back.

I think the MP40 sling side was adjustable to allow it to be slung at the ready from the left side or across the back (with the magazine pointing in not jutting out) from the right. Nothing to do with being left or right handed.

Were pistol holsters not meant to be worn on the right side at home and on the left overseas? That would lead to some variance in pics, along with personal preference. Of course the holsters were all right hand ones anyway so it wouldn't have mattered to a lefty where it was, it would still be wrong for them.

there are in fact plenty of original photos of soldats wearing kit "wrong" especially pistol holsters. There are also plenty of photos of k98's being fired left handed

Go on then, show us.
There is one I remember, it features a squad of bicycle riders all with breadbags etc worn on the wrong side.
Found it;

I know its not a reversed print as the bolts are correct on the rifles.
How can you wear a pistol holster wrong? Cross draw was common in German units, tankers often wore it in the small of the back.

Ok well maybe not lots but I do have some, will have to dig them out.

Re the pistol holsters I remember one specific photo of a group shot of FJ whom some have holsters on the left and some on the right! Again I will try to dig it out to prove I didn't just imagine it!

I remember one specific photo of a group shot of FJ whom some have holsters on the left and some on the right!

Thats my point, right or left, it matters not, there is no right and wrong.
Unless someone has a directive that says otherwise.