A Lichfield military museum is taking visitors back to World War 2 with a special weekend event.
The Staffordshire Regiment Museum will host battle re-enactments, weapon demonstrations, field kitchen displays and a range of interactive activities for kids on May 7 and 8.
The Being There – A World War 2 Weekend at the Museum event is aiming to give a vivid snapshot of the sights and sounds of the conflict.
On both days two live battles involving more than 100 re-enactors in authentic period uniform and firing original weapons will take place. German, American and British troops are represented, dug in to the museum’s large trench system or in pill boxes and fox holes.
A spokesperson added:
“Before the battles visitors will be able to enter the trench and walk among German troops. You will only hear German spoken in the trench, by the infantry and officers of the 916 Grenadier Regiment, Großdeutschland Division and Falschirmjaeger Regiment 6 (paratroops) as they prepare to defend their position against troops from the American 101st Airborne Division, the 1st Infantry Division as well as the British Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron.
“These ferocious looking and evocative D Day battle re-enactments will be accompanied by the firing of large and small guns, filling the air with the ear splitting noise and smoke of battle. These guns include the Thompson sub machine gun or ‘Tommy’ gun, the Sten gun and four MG42’s, known as ‘Hitler’s buzz saw’. These fearsome weapons have never before been used in a UK re-enactment.”
The re-enactors are all part of the World War 2 Living History Association, the oldest society of its type in Europe. They have been involved in films such as Saving Private Ryan and TV programmes such as D-Day to Berlin for the BBC.
As well as the battles, there will also be a selection of stalls selling 1940’s themed goods and 1940’s games and a kids drill giving children the chance to dress in period uniform.
Also on display will be a very rare German Kettenkrad, M8 scout car, American Jeeps, Bren gun carrier and WWII Harley Davidson motorbikes.
Admission to both the event and Staffordshire Regiment Museum is £6 for adults (£4 concessions) and £15 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children). Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day.
For more information please contact the museum on 01543 434394 or e-mail attendant@staffordshireregimentmuseum.com.