BOOK REVIEWS
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Skirmish |
"Skirmish" is the title of a new magazine, to be published every two months, specially for re-enactors. The first issue is dated June/July, 1999 and has 34 pages.
All periods of military history seem to have their re-enactor hobbyists these days and "Skirmish" looks as if it will cater for them all. This first issue has articles of interest to re-enactors as well as articles about re-enactors. I particularly enjoyed reading Ian Knight's article on the 120th anniversary year re-enactment of the Battle of Isandlwana, in which a historically accurate British contingent "fought" the battle again against today's zulus, who are not re-enactors exactly, but who simply logged into a still-extant part of their culture and heritage. They "came as they are" and looked the part, even though many of them wore trainers and sunglasses!
A part of the magazine which is sure to appeal will be the "On Parade" section, which gives re-enactment societies the chance to publicise themselves and their activities. This first issue contains details of a diverse selection ranging from a World War One German Infantry group based in the UK to a more-or-less world-wide group who re-enact as French Napoleonic Infantry, with American Civil War and Victorian Artillery re-enactors among others sandwiched between them.
I'm not a re-enactor myself but I can understand the desire to learn about a particular period in military history to such an exact degree that one feels one is virtually a part of it, and for some people the natural extension of this is to take that extra step and BE part of it. The dedication shown by many re-enactors to the exactness of their equipment seems to border on the obsessive sometimes, and here again, "Skirmish" will meet a need, because its specialist advertisers - people who between them can supply as reproductions anything from a full suit of mediaeval armour to a pair of World War two jungle boots - are here in abundance. I was amazed at the extent of reproduction and genuine equipment available - indeed, one advertiser claims to able able to supply anything, Napoleonic to WWII - from a sporran to a cannon!
SKIRMISH
is published by Beaumont Publishing Ltd.
25, Westbrook Drive,
Macclesfield,
Cheshire,
SK10 3AQ.
ISBN 1466-8068
Single issue price - £1.80
Subscriptions 6 issues for -
£13.00 including Postage and Packing in the UK
Europe £15.00
USA (+ Zone 1) £18.00
Australian/NZ (+ Zone 2) £20.00
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