Nazi uniforms banned from pageant after group ‘goose-stepped’ by means of village

Organisers of a 1940s-themed festival have put a ban on Nazi uniforms to prevent a repeat of last year’s controversy when a group dressed as SS soldiers sparked outrage.

The officials behind the Sheringham, Norfolk festival have revised their rules this year, stating that anyone donning German military uniforms will be denied entry. Last year’s event made national headlines after a group of re-enactors dressed as a Waffen SS unit were met with fury from local residents. Accusations were made of them goose-stepping down the high street and performing straight-armed salutes.

Event marshals had to step in and ask the men from Eastern Front Living History to leave, with police officers intervening to escort them out of the town and back to their campsite. While organisers have chosen not to discuss their updated rules, they have posted a notice on their website ahead of this year’s festival.

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It reads: “It is not permitted to wear German military uniforms or those of other Axis nations visitors dressed in such uniforms will be refused entry.”

Members of the Eastern Front Living History Group have previously stated that the incident was exaggerated and that only one ‘intoxicated’ individual had taken issue with their presence. They alleged that one of their members was ‘attacked’ by a man who was ‘foaming at the mouth’ and ‘screaming about Jewish persecution’.

The group concluded: “As a group we do not tolerate any politics or any form of religious persecution.”

“We simply won’t have it. That behaviour disgusts us and tarnishes what we do.”

The group paid tribute to the notorious 5th SS Division Wiking (Viking), made up of recruits from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

This controversial unit, bolstered by German officers, engaged in brutal combat with the Soviet Red Army on the Eastern Front and has been implicated in war crimes against Jews.

The retro-fest 1940s weekend, which was kickstarted by the North Norfolk Railway years back, reels in a whopping 25,000 history buffs donning outfits from the era, featuring pristine classic motors and gripping historical demonstrations.

Set to run from September 20 to 22 this month, it’s the ultimate throwback festival celebrating all things 1940s.

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