March 30, 2005
Stephenson living W.W.II history lesson
TC West High student participates in battle reenactments as German soldier
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Mike Stephenson is a student of history, literally.
The Traverse City West Senior High senior is a World War II reenactor who has participated in large-scale battle reenactments that involve thousands of other 'soldiers.' A newer movement just beginning to grow nationwide, these reenacted World War II battles use authentic equipment - including trucks, uniforms, planes, radios and weapons - of both the Allied and German forces in Europe.
Twice Stephenson has participated in battles with reenactor groups, taking the role of a German soldier in the 5th SS Panzer Division known as Wiking. His first experience was a recreation of a battle in France after D-Day and the second presented the siege of Warsaw. While both these were in 2003, he hopes to attend another reenactment in Indiana this May; plans for an end-of-January trip were scrapped because he is saving for college.
A member of the Wiking Reenactment Unit since 2003, Stephenson noted that every person involved in World War II reenacting takes on a persona. His is that of a young 16-year-old infantryman from Stuttgart named Fritz Zeitzler, conscripted into the Hitler Youth and then the battlefield.
"We all take period ranks and I'm the equivalent of a private," said Stephenson, who plans to study political science next year at either Aquinas College or Michigan State University and hopes for a career in law or politics.
Stephenson has studied German for four years in school, which helps him in the field because German reenactors communicate in German. He has also delved into the history of the real unit, following their battles and eventual surrender at the war's end.
"This unit fought mostly on the Eastern Front, their operation area was mostly in Budapest in 1944 and 45 and they fought mostly against Russians in Warsaw," said Stephenson, noting the Wiking reenactment unit has 25-30 members from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Ontario.
Stephenson is the grandson of Ray Mills, a World War II veteran who has been very active in veteran's groups and causes for years. Mills, a member of the VFW post in Interlochen, past commander of the American Legion post in Traverse City, commander of the Disabled American Veterans and member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, fought in the Europe toward the end of the war. He was wounded there and said he is pleased to see his grandson's interest in World War II.
"I've very, very proud, he's a nice boy. Not just because he's my grandson, either," said Mills, adding with characteristic bluntness: "He's in a mode now that he's dressing up like a German and I'm not too happy about that."
Stephenson acknowledges that donning a German uniform may strike some people as wrong. However, he said the reenactor groups are devoted to history and accurately presenting the life of soldiers on both sides during the war. Politics or ideology associated with Nazism are strictly forbidden.
"When we're out in the field, we believe that politics are not involved, we kick out any Nazis," he said. "We're there primarily for history-as well as presenting about Allies, we're there to present the other side of the story."
The camps the reenactors set up are accurate down to the tents and soldiers' gear, though the ammunition is blanks. During battles, World War II era planes make an appearance, 'strafing' the enemy, and medics from both sides minister to 'wounded.'
Spectators often come to watch the battles, similar to the way that Civil War battle reenactments draw crowds.
"After every battle, we collect our spent brass and then hand them out to kids," Stephenson said. "They absolutely love that."
Participating in a battle reenactment can bring an eerie feeling of reality, a glimpse into what young men like his grandfather went through.
"Even though this is pretty much fake, you're shaking and the adrenaline is flowing," Stephenson noted. "You can't imagine what it was like for the real men."
"It's great to know that you are educating the public and really reliving the past of our grandfathers and what they did, their contributions to society," he added.