Jim Keeling shunned by WW2 group after Nazi salute at festival

Jim Keeling, a diving instructor from Bradwell, Norfolk, faced significant backlash after being photographed giving a Nazi salute at a 1940s festival while dressed as a Waffen SS officer. This incident occurred at Hitler's former retreat in the Bavarian Alps, where he was part of the Eastern Front Living History Society (EFLHS). Following the photo's emergence, accusations of Nazi sympathies were directed at him, leading to a fallout with the re-enactment group he once led. Keeling has since distanced himself from the EFLHS, stating he has cut ties with many former friends who hold beliefs he does not share. He expressed his desire not to be associated with the group anymore, especially after their controversial participation in the Sheringham 1940s weekend, which resulted in public outrage and police intervention. The group was accused of goose-stepping and performing straight-arm salutes, prompting local authorities to request their removal from future events. In response to the backlash, the organizers of the Sheringham event have banned Axis uniforms for the upcoming festival scheduled for September 20. This decision reflects the community's discomfort with the group's portrayal of historical figures associated with Nazi Germany. Despite the controversy, Keeling insists that his actions were intended as satire against Hitler and not an endorsement of Nazi ideology. However, his fascination with this period of history has strained relationships with some family members and friends, highlighting the complexities of historical reenactment and its potential for misinterpretation.