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Welcome to the website of 116th Panzer Division - 'Der Windhund' - a UK re-enactment group!
When some members of the previous 'incarnation' of the group decided to go their separate ways and pursue other interests at the end of 2006, a few remaining members of the original group still wished to continue re-enacting the ‘Windhund’ so they formed the current version of the group. The desire was there amongst those committed few to take what had gone before and to improve an already good formula and make it better! We wanted to show the British public that we were not 'mere imitators' or 'closet-Nazis' but true historians with a desire to show them a 'balanced view from the other side', to basically challenge their own pre-conceptions of the war and of the German soldier as a whole! At our events we wholeheartedly engage the public and discuss any subjects that come up, however painful, but rest assured they are always treated in a sensitive and caring manner. There are no 'holocaust deniers' or 'political extremists' in this group!
However, this challenge aside, what we decided to maintain was to continue to display as the ordinary fighting troops of the 116th Panzer Division throughout its engagements in 1944-45, primarily as soldiers of the 2nd Kompanie, Bataillon I, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 60, more specifically as the most basic unit within that Kompanie the ‘Nine-man squad’ based around the MG team and lead by an Unteroffizier.
Additionally and as the situation allows we intend to expand our impression and display as the recon troops of Panzer-Aufklärung-Abteilung 116, the Panzer Grenadiers of Regiment 156, the Flak gunners of Heeres-Flak-Artillerie-Abteilung 281 or as the Panzer troopers of Panzer Regiment 16.
As a group we are very committed to historical accuracy which we carefully research and document and this is reflected in the period uniforms, equipment, vehicles and weapons that we display. We also research and learn the tactics and drill that the 'Landser' would have known at that time to further improve our impression. We strive to maintain this high standard of authenticity to show as accurately as possible how the ordinary German Soldier of 1944-45 lived in the field and how he fought in the greatest conflict the world has ever known. We are committed to help keep this part of history alive in an effort to better educate ourselves and the public at large about a part of history that is often overlooked or misinterpreted.
Our group participates in many Living History Events throughout the UK and some members have also been involved in film work in the past and just like the real ‘Windhund Division’ has an impressive lineage to follow.
We enjoy being part of this group and are happy to share our passion for this period of history with the public at our events.
Through the medium of the World Wide Web we hope to share our passion and knowledge with a wider audience.We hope you stay and browse our website and enjoy the content as much as we do!You never know you might be 'bitten by the bug 'and want to join us?If so, go straight to the Recruitment page for more information.
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