Just a Week after Britain Celebrated the Liberation of Europe,
-These War Re-enactors Dress as NAZIS for World War Two Festival
- Men turned up to WWII festival in full Nazi uniforms, including swastikas
- Haworth's 1940s Weekend, in Yorkshire, was held to commemorate VE Day
- Visitors to the annual event said they should 'hang their heads in shame'
- Organisers had appealed for people not to wear the costumes after last year's festival was also hijacked by people in Nazi outfits
Daily Mail UK, 17 May 2015
A festival to remember the sacrifices made by millions of Britons during the Second World War has been tarnished by Nazi re-enactors turning up in German uniforms.
Just days after Britain celebrated the 70th anniversary of VE Day, a handful of visitors to Haworth 1940s Weekend turned up wearing the distasteful outfits as veterans gathered at the charity event.
Men wearing Nazi costumes sporting swastikas and SS emblems were seen casually sipping on beer as they walked through the Yorkshire village.
Visitors to a Second World War festival in Yorkshire caused outrage by turning up wearing Nazi uniforms
One man wore a replica Nazi uniform to that of German General Sepp Dietrich, who was in charge of the Panzer division
Men wearing Nazi costumes sporting swastikas and Nazi emblems were seen casually walking through Haworth village (pictured) during the celebrations
As many as 40,000 people were at the event over the weekend, which highlights the heroics of those who fought in WWII while also raising money for armed forces charities.
This year's festival is not the first to be hijacked by Nazi re-enactors, with local traders last year forced to put up signs warning people wearing German costumes that they would not be allowed into shops.
Organisers appealed for people not to wear the disrespectful uniforms, but once again people flouted the ban.
One man at the event, who was born during the war and did not wish to be named, said:
‘How is dressing as a Nazi a celebration of the 70th anniversary of VE Day – these people should hang their heads in shame.
‘I cannot comprehend how grown men might think it’s a good idea to parade around the streets of Yorkshire looking like Nazis. Will they have a Hitler lookalike along next year?
‘I am not alone in thinking this is very wrong. My father fought the Nazis and many people in Yorkshire lost family in the Second World War to people dressed just like that
‘It’s not supposed to be a fancy dress party. For the sake of all those who lost their lives in the war this should not be allowed to happen on the streets of Britain - it is outlawed in Germany and rightly so.’
Haworth's 1940s weekend highlights the heroics of those who fought in WWII while also raising money for armed forces charities
Aside from the Nazi uniforms, hundreds of people dressed in traditional 1940s costume, as well as RAF and Army uniforms from WWII
Organisers appealed for people not to wear Nazi uniforms after similar costumes were worn last year, as shown in this 2014 picture
Haworth's WWII weekend is set to raise more than £20,000 for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
A spokeswoman for the charity said:
'Whilst we cannot stop people from wearing these outfits, visitors are actively discouraged from wearing such uniforms to the event.
'Many people lost their lives in the Second World War and the last thing we'd want is for those people to be mocked or disrespected in any way.
'We seek guidance from the local police to make sure it is discouraged but unfortunately it is not something we have control over. All we can do is urge people not to but some feel the need to wear these costumes.
'This year's Haworth 1940s weekend was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of VE Day and in aid of SSAFA who provides support for all those who served, young and old alike and has done for 130 years.'
Pat Bailey, from the Royal British Legion, said:
‘It is in such poor taste. A lot of people will be appalled by the timing of this.’
Local traders were last year forced to put up signs warning people wearing German costumes they would not be allowed into shops
Last year's festival (pictured) was also hijacked by Nazi re-enactors who wore distasteful uniforms
Some visitors to the village, near Bradford, were seen wearing garments from SS uniforms - the Third Reich paramilitary organisation responsible for many of the atrocities against humanity in WWII.
Nikki Carroll, who organises the event, said:
'We don't welcome people who turn up in these uniforms and we have had issues in the past.
'It's a free country and people can wear what they want but we do not welcome them.
'It's been a very special occasion what with it being the 70th anniversary of VE Day and it being the 20th time we've hosted the event.
'One of the most fantastic moments was the remembrance service which was attended by veterans, as well as the whole community.'
Aside from the Nazi uniforms, hundreds of people dressed in traditional 1940s costume, as well as RAF and Army uniforms from WWII.