KG Sonnenwende dedicated this Zapfenstreich to SS-Untersturmfuehrer Gerd Falkenhorst (our unit advisor).  Also in attendance was WW2 German Fighter Pilot Ace Gottfried Dulias.  Once again our thanks go out to our Kameraden in 3. Pz. Grenadier for their  Kameradschaft as well as our Kameraden in 1. LSSAH for their help in permorming the Zapfenstreich with us!  Brueder, das Schellenbaum war sehr schoen!!  

Foto credits, 1-4  J. Harkins.  5-8  Stroodle

The Grosser Deutsche Zapfenstreich  (literally translated Tattoo or Grand Taps) is a military ceremony still performed throughout Germany and Austria to this day.  It is the most important ceremonial act of the German Federal Forces (Bundeswehr).  It is performed only on special occasions such as for distinguished persons, in solemn public ceremonies, & at the conclusion of large military exercises.  It takes place in the evening hours & consists of a military formation including at least one military band, two platoons of armed infantrymen, & two lines of soldiers carrying torches to light the way, as the way it was done over 500 years ago.

While the Grosser Deutsche Zapfenstreich has been performed sine the 1500's, the current rendition has been unchanged since 1922, even during the period of the Third Reich.
 
Kampfgruppe Sonnenwende is the first reenactment unit to successfully perform this complicated tradition here in the United States!!  It is our intention to practice and perform this ceremony at future events at least annually.  It is our hope that other units will join us in celebrating this ceremony and help educate the hobby in this aspect of German Military tradition!

 

 

For membership Info on our unit or KG Sonnenwende, click here
or contact us at Kopfjaeger_LSSAH@Yahoo.com