Sorry, i was on my phone earlier.
What i meant was, you see re-enactors from outside and see them as all the same much in the same way a motorist or rambler sees someone on a bike and thinks all mtb'ers are the same.
The groups - from all periods - who do their best to get things right, get their kit/accoutrements/characterisations as authentic as possible are the ones who are at the top of their particular game.
Unfortunately, the hobby does attract the fantasists, in medieval we get the clowns who think Lord of the Rings was a documentary and want to wander round with a hooded cloak and a recurve bow at the Battle of Bosworth for instance.
The WWII Wermacht units attract the right-wing nutters and the best groups do weed them out, these are the groups who get to put on shows at the big Blue-Riband events like Kelmarsh (EH's flagship event).
Unfortunately, there are other groups out there who's standards aren't as high. Some groups will have founders/officers who do have a political axe to grind, some have a grudge against other groups, some think authenticity is over rated etc.
If you are going to do this hobby, it has to be right otherwise it's pointless and stupid. I've seen groups come on the field in full plate harness costing £££ yet wearing a nylon tabard over the top 
WWII is a difficult one, and not one i personally would feel comfortable with doing but the Axis side does need showing. I've met guys from the Wermacht units and found them fine, also seen guys from Waffen SS units and thought "hmmmm...".
I know one chap who's interest is the Eastern Front, he portrays both a German soldier of the Panzer Grenadiers and a Russian infantryman - do you think his political views are in conflict or is he just interested in the period?
Strangely enough, the most interest these guys get is from veterans of the war and they really enjoy talking/listening to the chaps who were there.
was Dr gillian McKeith at your graduation ceremony?
