Staffordshire Regiment Museum Announces: Being There – A World War 2 Weekend at the Museum.
Visitors to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum over the weekend of 7th & 8th May 2011 are in for a treat. The museum has announced that on these dates it will be holding a spectacular series of events including battle re-enactments, weapon firing demonstrations and field kitchen demonstrations plus a whole host of additional activities including lots of interactive things for kids to see and do. The whole event is entitled: ‘Being There - A World War 2 Weekend at the Museum’ and is designed to give a vivid snapshot of the sights and sounds of this period.
On both Saturday and Sunday two live battles involving more than 100 re-enactors in authentic period uniform and firing original weapons will take place. Both German, American and British troops are represented, dug in to our large and impressive trench system or in pill boxes and fox holes.
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 (often known as the ‘Big Red One’) as well as the British Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron. All nationalities will have support troops assisting them from the military police, medical and signals branches.
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’.
The re-enactors are all part of the World War 2 living History Association Limited, the oldest society of its type in Europe. Their attention to detail and historical exactitude has seen them involved with films such as ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and many other TV programmes such as ‘D-Day to Berlin’ for the BBC.
This is the first time that the World War 2 Living History Association has appeared at the museum. Their highly popular re-enactments regularly draw in hundreds of visitors from all over the UK.
The noise of battle will be re-created by a professional pyrotechnic team that promise a truly amazing and evocative experience. Exacting attention to detail will be ensured over the site, from props to signs, by the Association’s set dresser.
In addition there will be a selection of stalls selling 1940’s themed goods, 1940’s games and an opportunity to experience taking cover in an Anderson air raid shelter as the siren sounds, plus our kids drill. This highly popular activity gives children the opportunity to dress in period uniform and drill with our Drill Sergeant.
The Staffordshire Regiment Museum 'Being There' – World War 2 weekend offers an opportunity to experience some of the heart racing excitement and peril of Wartime Britain.
Not to be missed are our incredible firepower displays where the public can watch the actual firing of the original WW2 weapons used in the arena displays.
Also on display will be a very rare German Kettenkrad, M8 scout car, American Jeeps, Bren gun carrier and WWII Harley Davidson motorbikes.
As Sarah Elsom – Curator, commented: ’It’s going to be a spectacular event, noisy, interactive and exciting.’
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.
The Staffordshire Regiment Museum can be found on the A51 between Lichfield and Tamworth, adjacent to Whittington Barracks. It is directly on the 765 Stafford/Lichfield/Tamworth bus route.
For more information please contact the museum on 01543 434394 or e-mail attendant@staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
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