Organisers of a popular 1940s festival have banned Nazi uniforms to avoid a repeat of scenes last year when a group dressed as SS soldiers caused uproar.
Officials behind the festival in Sheringham, Norfolk, have updated their rules this year to say that anyone dressed in German military uniforms will be refused entry.
Last year’s event made headlines around the country after a group of re-enactors dressed as a Waffen SS unit from the Eastern Front Living History were confronted by angry locals.
The Mail identified the leader of the group Jim Keeling and found pictures of him performing a Nazi salute near Hitler’s mountain home called ‘the Eagle’s Nest’.
Mr Keeling (pictured right) and a group of other men were confronted by crowds on Sheringham High Street in Norfolk when they arrived in SS gear last week
A spokesman for the group who attended in Nazi-style uniforms admitted members wore Waffen-SS infantry uniforms but claimed they did not portray Germans
Diving instructor and father-of-four Jim Keeling, 53, imitating a Nazi salute at Hitler’s mountain home, the ‘Eagle’s Nest’
Keeling deleted the pictures from his Facebook account and is understood to have claimed he was ‘mimicking’ the salute, rather than doing it for real.
Last year event marshals stepped in to his group to leave and police officers intervened to usher them out of the town and back to their campsite.
Organisers have declined to discuss their updated rules but ahead of this year’s festival have posted a notice on their website.
It said: ‘It is not permitted to wear German military uniforms or those of other Axis nations – visitors dressed in such uniforms will be refused entry.’
Last time Mr Keeling and his group of ten men attended Sheringham’s Second World War-themed weekend, which attracts up to 25,000 people.
Mr Keeling’s men, the 5 Wiking [Viking] SS Division re-enactment group, wore SS markings on their collars and badges featuring the infamous ‘death’s head’ symbol and swastikas.
Witnesses said the group congregated outside a local pub where they were confronted by locals telling them they were not welcome.
Members of the Eastern Front Living History Group previously said the incident had been overblown and that only one ‘intoxicated’ person had objected to their presence.
They claimed that one of their members was ‘attacked’ by a man who was ‘foaming at the mouth’ and ‘screaming about Jewish persecution’.
The group added: ‘As a group we do not tolerate any politics or any form of religious persecution.
‘We simply won’t have it. That behaviour disgusts us and tarnishes what we do.’
The group re-enacted the 5th SS Division Wiking (Viking), which was recruited from countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
It was led by German officers and fought the Soviet Red Army on the Eastern Front. The unit has also been accused of war crimes against Jews.
The 1940s weekend was first organised by the North Norfolk Railway several years ago and attracts 25,000 people with many in period dress.
It is a celebration of the 1940s, with many people dressing in clothing from the era, with classic vehicles on show and historical displays taking place.
It is due to take place on September 20 to 22 this month.