About TMHS
The Texas Military Historical Society (TMHS) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving and experiencing the period of 1939-1945. It is in that idea that the Society was formed to promote and strengthen the World War II reenacting hobby. Our purpose is to portray, present and recreate the diverse groups of combat soldiers that fought in the conflict.
The Texas Military Historical Society has been around since 1978 and has undergone a couple of name changes.The first name was "The Southwest World War II Historical Society" and later in 1984 the named change to "The 36th Division Ceremonial and Demonstration Auxiliary" and eventually became the "Texas Military Historical Society" in 1988 when tax exempt status was granted as a 503c nonprofit Texas corporation.
The TMHS works closely with the Texas Military Forces Museum located at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. The Texas Military Historical Society represents reenacting in the 1939-1945 time period. This has led to the development and growth of numerous units representing all members of the conflict. The units represented all follow strict rules that govern authenticity, safety and tactics. The Axis side includes regular soldiers, artillery, paratroopers, engineers and armor.
The German units have invested considerable time and effort in bringing back to life several tracked vehicles for use in the field, plus additional support vehicles and equipment. While great effort is taken on the equipment and gear, there is no recreation of the political environment of the era. This is a military reenactment group oriented towards combat impressions in the field.
Dueling with the Axis is a diverse representation of the actual Allied units of the War. Under Allied command, American, British and French units work as a team to win the battle and the war. The units represent airborne, infantry, glider borne, and headquarters units.
In addition, there is a Free French partisan troop that works at the situation from a different perspective. As with the opposition, the members have spent countless man-hours restoring everything from jeeps and artillery to bicycles. These elements join together to make an excellent outing.
Who are the members?
Our membership is composed of business professionals, tradesman, lawyers, computer programmers, students and members of the military. The average member is a part-time historian and collector who enjoys recreating an important part of history. Members purchase and collect their own uniforms and equipment, which they wear and exhibit at both public and private events. As you can see, we are a group that has a niche for just about anyone that would like to participate.
What are the member benefits?
Our members enjoy a firt hand direct connection with history; from one on one interactions with the veterans who were there that come to our events; behind the scenes access to museums; hands on with historical tools, maps, weapons, radions telephones and documents during events and the ultimate - living in the field under tactical conditions while recreating the true first hand experience of history.
Running a radio, restoring a jeep, there is something for everyone in the Texas Military Historical Society
ABOUT REENACTING:
About the Historical Reenacting
"Historical reenactment is a type of roleplay in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire period, such as Regency reenactment."
The Texas Military Historical Society (TMHS) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving and experiencing the period of 1939-1945. It is in that idea that the Society was formed to promote and strengthen the World War II reenacting hobby. Our purpose is to portray, present and recreate the diverse groups of combat soldiers that fought in the conflict.
There are several general types of reenactments that the TMHS engages in, sometimes an event may encompass aspects of all types. you may be more interested in some aspects than others but there is room for all types within the TMHS. Those types of reenactments are:
Living History involves displays for public education; as an example to the left is a German field hospital set from the Camp Mabry show battle. This display was well stocked and along with it's attendant sanis and DRK nurses helped educate the public on medical treatment of battlefield casualties. Quite a few people expressed astonishment over the boiled horsehair sutures that were used in WWII.
Other displays are aimed at portraying the everyday life and lifestyle of soldiers of the period. Reenactors explain the features and life in the encampment to the public. Many reenactors can speak using period language, though in public setting usually the more colourful expressions are left out.
Combat demonstration Combat demonstrations are simulations meant to demonstrate what combat might have been like. Combat demonstrations are not directly based on actual battles, and are more demonstrations of basic tactics and techniques.
Battle reenactment these are scripted battles are closer to what one would think of as reenactment. The battles are scripted beforehand so that the massed troops take the same actions that the were taken during the original battles. They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar in terrain to the original battle. These can vary widely in size from a few hundred fighters to several thousand.
Tactical combat or a tactical as they are known as are usually private events not open to the public. Tactical battles are fought like real battles with both sides coming up with strategies and tactics to beat their opponents. These battles are based loosely upon a time, place and participant types with a similar objective as the real battle, however with no script and a rules tactical battles are a test and quite possibly the most fun for reenactors in the field.
The Texas Military Historical Society has been around since 1978 and has undergone a couple of name changes.The first name was "The Southwest World War II Historical Society" and later in 1984 the named change to "The 36th Division Ceremonial and Demonstration Auxiliary" and eventually became the "Texas Military Historical Society" in 1988 when tax exempt status was granted as a 503c nonprofit Texas corporation.
The TMHS works closely with the Texas Military Forces Museum located at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. The Texas Military Historical Society represents reenacting in the 1939-1945 time period. This has led to the development and growth of numerous units representing all members of the conflict. The units represented all follow strict rules that govern authenticity, safety and tactics. The Axis side includes regular soldiers, artillery, paratroopers, engineers and armor.
The German units have invested considerable time and effort in bringing back to life several tracked vehicles for use in the field, plus additional support vehicles and equipment. While great effort is taken on the equipment and gear, there is no recreation of the political environment of the era. This is a military reenactment group oriented towards combat impressions in the field.
Dueling with the Axis is a diverse representation of the actual Allied units of the War. Under Allied command, American, British and French units work as a team to win the battle and the war. The units represent airborne, infantry, glider borne, and headquarters units.
In addition, there is a Free French partisan troop that works at the situation from a different perspective. As with the opposition, the members have spent countless man-hours restoring everything from jeeps and artillery to bicycles. These elements join together to make an excellent outing.
Who are the members?
Our membership is composed of business professionals, tradesman, lawyers, computer programmers, students and members of the military. The average member is a part-time historian and collector who enjoys recreating an important part of history. Members purchase and collect their own uniforms and equipment, which they wear and exhibit at both public and private events. As you can see, we are a group that has a niche for just about anyone that would like to participate.
What are the member benefits?
Our members enjoy a firt hand direct connection with history; from one on one interactions with the veterans who were there that come to our events; behind the scenes access to museums; hands on with historical tools, maps, weapons, radions telephones and documents during events and the ultimate - living in the field under tactical conditions while recreating the true first hand experience of history.
Running a radio, restoring a jeep, there is something for everyone in the Texas Military Historical Society
ABOUT REENACTING:
About the Historical Reenacting
"Historical reenactment is a type of roleplay in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire period, such as Regency reenactment."
The Texas Military Historical Society (TMHS) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving and experiencing the period of 1939-1945. It is in that idea that the Society was formed to promote and strengthen the World War II reenacting hobby. Our purpose is to portray, present and recreate the diverse groups of combat soldiers that fought in the conflict.
There are several general types of reenactments that the TMHS engages in, sometimes an event may encompass aspects of all types. you may be more interested in some aspects than others but there is room for all types within the TMHS. Those types of reenactments are:
Living History involves displays for public education; as an example to the left is a German field hospital set from the Camp Mabry show battle. This display was well stocked and along with it's attendant sanis and DRK nurses helped educate the public on medical treatment of battlefield casualties. Quite a few people expressed astonishment over the boiled horsehair sutures that were used in WWII.
Other displays are aimed at portraying the everyday life and lifestyle of soldiers of the period. Reenactors explain the features and life in the encampment to the public. Many reenactors can speak using period language, though in public setting usually the more colourful expressions are left out.
Combat demonstration Combat demonstrations are simulations meant to demonstrate what combat might have been like. Combat demonstrations are not directly based on actual battles, and are more demonstrations of basic tactics and techniques.
Battle reenactment these are scripted battles are closer to what one would think of as reenactment. The battles are scripted beforehand so that the massed troops take the same actions that the were taken during the original battles. They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar in terrain to the original battle. These can vary widely in size from a few hundred fighters to several thousand.
Tactical combat or a tactical as they are known as are usually private events not open to the public. Tactical battles are fought like real battles with both sides coming up with strategies and tactics to beat their opponents. These battles are based loosely upon a time, place and participant types with a similar objective as the real battle, however with no script and a rules tactical battles are a test and quite possibly the most fun for reenactors in the field.