You have reached the main webpage of the historical reenacting and Living History group 1. Kompanie, 34. Jäger-Regiment, 17. Luftwaffe Feld-Division (17.LwFD for short).

Our group is serious about our portrayal and in that light, we make it a point to do things as authentic as possible. Now saying that, we also know this is a hobby and not real (click here to read our philosphy on reenacting -- it's important). Unlike other reenacting organizations, 17.LwFD does not emphasize battle reenactments (this is not to say we do not do them, just that they are not our reason for existance)--instead, we want to emphasize and encourage the "Living History" aspects of this period. Among the kinds of living history this unit is being formed for, are the idea of doing WWII "Trekking" a kind of period hike, where the participants bring and use only period clothing and gear--carrying the same items as the soldiers back then did.

If you are not into "First-Person" living history and all the attention-to-detail that this entails, our organization is not for you. If all you want to do is attend battle events, well again, 17.LwFD is probably NOT for you -- no hard feelings! :-) If, on the other hand, you want to try and live the experience that they did; to try and understand the Frontsoldat, then 17.LwFD just may be for you.

Please, read through this site look at stuff and get a feel for what we are about. After you have looked at us, then if you're still interested, please contact us.

The term: "Luftwaffe Feld-Division" often gets a lot of questions... mainly because people expect that the Luftwaffe only flew planes. However, like much about the Third Reich, this is easily misunderstood.

The Luftwaffe consisted of air units that made up the majority of the German airforce, as well as Fallschirmjäger units, Luftwaffe Field Divisions, the elite Herman Göring ground formations, thousands of smaller anti-aircraft, engineer, communications and security units, and a fair number of Luftwaffe naval vessels and formations as well. Between 1939 and 1945 over 3.4 million served in the Luftwaffe. Over 165,000 were killed, over 155,000 went missing and over 192,000 were wounded. Of the 7361 men awarded the inital grade of the highest German combat honor of WWII, the Knights Cross, 1785 were from the Luftwaffe making up 24% of the total awaded.

A total of 21 Luftwaffe Field Divisions were formed by the end of the war, and served on all fronts. (These units, it must be noted, were distinct from the Fallschirmjäger divisions, though paratroopers did serve with the Field Divisions.)

What does all this tell us? Well, for one thing, this impression is perfect for reenactors! Why you ask? Well, for one thing, a lot of the LwFD men volunteered or were transferred from other parts of the Luftwaffe. Many were older and/or out of shape. These troops had little training (like reenactors) and even better (for us, not them), were issued a hodgepodge of uniforms and kit -- especiallyonthe Western Front. This allows us to use a variety of German uniform and gear items that normally would not be seen together. Anyway, give us a look and if this sounds interesting to you, please feel free to drop us a line. :-)