History
The History of the Waffen-SS and the German Armed Forces in SL WW2
It was May 2009, exactly one year ago, when a man arrived in (old) Bastogne. It was the first time that man found a WW2 region in SL and the sight of it was of absolute delight to him. The region consisted of three full SIMs which were known as Bastogne, Fallout and WW2 Sanctuary, where he met other enthusiasts who shared the same passion for WW2 and especially the German Armed Forces. Some of those enthusiasts were Vickster Kuhn and Albrecht Firanelli... the man’s name was Victtorio, today known by his ‘true identity’ as Reinhard Hiereichler.
The German forces had only one major land army group which was called ‘15th Panzergrenadiers’. Even though this was the largest terrestrial group, it wasn’t the only one. The HJ, lead by Albrecht Firanelli, was active in much lower numbers and according to the records, it was older than the ‘15th Panzergrenadiers’. The latter was a very simple military group with a rudimentary hierarchy system, which used to award ranks without any requirements or formality whatsoever. It was a very informal organisation, whose leader was also the leader of one of the Allied groups and kept switching sides as he pleased. There was no uniforms, no standards, no rules, no awards, no ranks, etc.
At this point Reinhard saw the possibility of improving role-play and combat experience, doing the complete opposite of what was being done. His idea was to create a new group, with proper military standards throughout using his RL military experience. The admins authorised Reinhard to create a new German group and provided him an office; he started his work immediately. The Waffen-SS was born and the day was the 28th of May, 2009.
Reinhard established many standards for the Waffen-SS. These included offering free of charge proper historically accurate uniforms for the troops, a clearly outlined hierarchy system with ranks with a career plan, an awards system to award those who excelled on the field, amongst others. The purpose was to motivate the troops and improve the role-play experience for all. Soon the disorganised troops began to give place to the organised, uniformed and disciplined troops of the Waffen-SS, whose commander strived to keep all standards in check and the experience real and consistent for everybody.
The Waffen-SS was soon the largest German group and had a decisive role defending the Normandy beaches of Fallout on the 6th of June 2009. That was the major battle ever to take place in SL WW2 and the Waffen-SS was present in massive numbers to ensure German victory on this day, alongside Vickster Kuhn’s Luftwaffe which kept complete air superiority. The ‘15th Panzergrenadiers’ incapacity was confirmed on that day, and from then on their group was no more. The Waffen-SS grew to over 80 members in a month (most of them active) and its standards kept on improving as well as the uniforms, medals, ranks, etc.
Unfortunately Bastogne, Fallout and WW2 Sanctuary closed on the 22nd of June 2009, as the owner was no longer able to afford their upkeep. Joe Sparrow, however, opened a homestead SIM which had as its first theme ‘El Alamein’. Even though every effort was made to keep WW2 players active, many quitted since all old region were lost and lag became an issue when too many players were together in a homestead SIM. It seemed like the good days of SL WW2 was gone forever, but there were two people who wouldn’t let this happen and wanted to see the bright days of Bastogne return... these two were Reinhard Hiereichler and Vickster Kuhn.
Vickster and Reinhard planned the reconstruction of Bastogne and the revival of the good days of SL WW2. In order to achieve this, Reinhard reorganised the German forces, cleaned up the old Waffen-SS keeping only the most loyal, dedicated and efficient. The Waffen-SS was to become an elite and selected group only and the German Army (Heer) was to become the main German group, embracing all players interested to play as German ground forces. There was no one better than Octavian Drezelan to command it, who was one of the most loyal, efficient and dedicated members of the Waffen-SS. Octavian’s merits are immense, as he started the Heer from scratch and turned it into the main fighting force of the German military with outstanding numbers, discipline, organisation and efficiency.
As the German Armed Forces expanded and started to shape up, the next step was to secure a region so the glory days of Bastogne could be brought back. This was accomplished by Vickster Kuhn securing and financing a full SIM and Reinhard Hiereichler as chief architect, planner and management of construction. The Heer grew to incredible numbers and the Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe were completely reformed and reorganised until all were ready for New Bastogne!
As the German Armed Forces expanded and improved in the past, it will continue to do so. The newest additions are the Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger and the Kriegsmarine. Ravenloft joined New Bastogne, as New Fallout. There is a lot more in store, and it will only get better from now on. The 28th of May is our anniversary, for all German fighters in SL to commemorate as it represented the beginning of everything we are today!
Reinhard Hiereichler
Waffen-SS commander and member of the German High Command
It was May 2009, exactly one year ago, when a man arrived in (old) Bastogne. It was the first time that man found a WW2 region in SL and the sight of it was of absolute delight to him. The region consisted of three full SIMs which were known as Bastogne, Fallout and WW2 Sanctuary, where he met other enthusiasts who shared the same passion for WW2 and especially the German Armed Forces. Some of those enthusiasts were Vickster Kuhn and Albrecht Firanelli... the man’s name was Victtorio, today known by his ‘true identity’ as Reinhard Hiereichler.
The German forces had only one major land army group which was called ‘15th Panzergrenadiers’. Even though this was the largest terrestrial group, it wasn’t the only one. The HJ, lead by Albrecht Firanelli, was active in much lower numbers and according to the records, it was older than the ‘15th Panzergrenadiers’. The latter was a very simple military group with a rudimentary hierarchy system, which used to award ranks without any requirements or formality whatsoever. It was a very informal organisation, whose leader was also the leader of one of the Allied groups and kept switching sides as he pleased. There was no uniforms, no standards, no rules, no awards, no ranks, etc.
At this point Reinhard saw the possibility of improving role-play and combat experience, doing the complete opposite of what was being done. His idea was to create a new group, with proper military standards throughout using his RL military experience. The admins authorised Reinhard to create a new German group and provided him an office; he started his work immediately. The Waffen-SS was born and the day was the 28th of May, 2009.
Reinhard established many standards for the Waffen-SS. These included offering free of charge proper historically accurate uniforms for the troops, a clearly outlined hierarchy system with ranks with a career plan, an awards system to award those who excelled on the field, amongst others. The purpose was to motivate the troops and improve the role-play experience for all. Soon the disorganised troops began to give place to the organised, uniformed and disciplined troops of the Waffen-SS, whose commander strived to keep all standards in check and the experience real and consistent for everybody.
The Waffen-SS was soon the largest German group and had a decisive role defending the Normandy beaches of Fallout on the 6th of June 2009. That was the major battle ever to take place in SL WW2 and the Waffen-SS was present in massive numbers to ensure German victory on this day, alongside Vickster Kuhn’s Luftwaffe which kept complete air superiority. The ‘15th Panzergrenadiers’ incapacity was confirmed on that day, and from then on their group was no more. The Waffen-SS grew to over 80 members in a month (most of them active) and its standards kept on improving as well as the uniforms, medals, ranks, etc.
Unfortunately Bastogne, Fallout and WW2 Sanctuary closed on the 22nd of June 2009, as the owner was no longer able to afford their upkeep. Joe Sparrow, however, opened a homestead SIM which had as its first theme ‘El Alamein’. Even though every effort was made to keep WW2 players active, many quitted since all old region were lost and lag became an issue when too many players were together in a homestead SIM. It seemed like the good days of SL WW2 was gone forever, but there were two people who wouldn’t let this happen and wanted to see the bright days of Bastogne return... these two were Reinhard Hiereichler and Vickster Kuhn.
Vickster and Reinhard planned the reconstruction of Bastogne and the revival of the good days of SL WW2. In order to achieve this, Reinhard reorganised the German forces, cleaned up the old Waffen-SS keeping only the most loyal, dedicated and efficient. The Waffen-SS was to become an elite and selected group only and the German Army (Heer) was to become the main German group, embracing all players interested to play as German ground forces. There was no one better than Octavian Drezelan to command it, who was one of the most loyal, efficient and dedicated members of the Waffen-SS. Octavian’s merits are immense, as he started the Heer from scratch and turned it into the main fighting force of the German military with outstanding numbers, discipline, organisation and efficiency.
As the German Armed Forces expanded and started to shape up, the next step was to secure a region so the glory days of Bastogne could be brought back. This was accomplished by Vickster Kuhn securing and financing a full SIM and Reinhard Hiereichler as chief architect, planner and management of construction. The Heer grew to incredible numbers and the Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe were completely reformed and reorganised until all were ready for New Bastogne!
As the German Armed Forces expanded and improved in the past, it will continue to do so. The newest additions are the Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger and the Kriegsmarine. Ravenloft joined New Bastogne, as New Fallout. There is a lot more in store, and it will only get better from now on. The 28th of May is our anniversary, for all German fighters in SL to commemorate as it represented the beginning of everything we are today!
Reinhard Hiereichler
Waffen-SS commander and member of the German High Command
