mick.wilson Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Hi Guys, Just got back from Detling’s Military Odyssey show, it was the first time that 514th had been written in to a battle script and with the commentator starting off one of the largest publicly re-enacted WWII battle in the U.K by telling the thousands of public on watchers about the brave men of the Red Ball Express and there job of supplying the troops on the front line, at the same time our convoy of Jimmy’s pull on to the battle field only to get halfway and start taking fire from a German re-con group with a 20mm, the pyrotechnics went great and the first and last truck exploded with lots of smoke, us surviving drivers made a last stand around the trucks until we where overrun by German Halftracks and we where all dead, as the Germans took two of our captured trucks back to there line’s, then the British opened up with four 25 pounder field guns supporting an American advance across the battle field. It was an amazing site to see a working M16 Halftrack firing its quad 50cal at a German plane strafing the battle field that must have been flying 50ft off the ground only to be chased off by an allied plane and then the pursuing dogfight above us, the hole thing lasted about half an hour and was the best and probably the most expensive re-enacted battle I have been in. One problem is I forgot my camera and have no photos (of my own) but I will try and find some for you guys. The 514th also won the “Best Display†award with our S.A.R.A group's camped in a woodland setting, when you consider that this category covered every group at the show from the ancient Egyptians to the gulf war, it shows that the award is as good as it gets (Sorry no photos of that yet). One of the great things that has come out of this re-enactment is that there are so many more people out there that now know the story of the Red Ball Express, there is still plenty more to educate them about but I feel that we may have grabbed there interest enough to look it up and learn more about the subject. Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick.wilson Posted August 31, 2006 Author Share Posted August 31, 2006 I have found this photo of our rear truck taking a hit 8) http://www.images2view.co.uk/g/2006/mo/pics/mc06-09423.jpg[/img] But there are lots more to look at on the link below, Set 13 you can see our heroic stand against the German recon group, Set 14 the Allies come in to save the day 8) . http://www.images2view.co.uk/g/2006/mo/menu.html Look out for our trucks being used by the Red Army (Eastern front battle) We covered the white stars with red one's and used them as lend leas trucks. Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Well done to you and 514th Mick. You guys deserve it all, you have put so much work into your project and the word is that you guys are show stoppers. Long may that continue. I think you may need an 'official' photographer next year........... Best wishes. Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berni Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 we were there sun & mon & the battle was great. only 1 complaint as a mop ...we couldn't see all the battle. if you are short 5.6" like me it was really difficult to see over the heads of people in front as the ground is so flat & everyone stands at the barriers, they could do with a bank like beltring so kids & shorties alike can see whats going on, also it is a huge battle ground & you couldn't see both ends at the same time. i do like Detling & it is the only show of the year that we do go to as Mops & stay in a hotel as opposed to camping your display did look fab & the woodland position was great ta berni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Well done Mick and the 514th! Looked at the pics, great stuff. Wish I could have been there and have fun again like at Beltring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Well done, Mick. You get everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick.wilson Posted August 31, 2006 Author Share Posted August 31, 2006 Thanks guys, I think you may need an 'official' photographer next year........... We have one already Jack, Nick Halling is a member of our group and has some photos up on his site from Detling. Great photographer. http://www.nickhalling.co.uk/index2.htm Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cripp Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 Went along to this on Saturday. I thought the re enactment was great. Don't usually watch these but this was on such a big scale with plenty of vehicle movements and using the walls on the site, not to mention the planes. Bit dissapointed when I took my dad on Monday and they'd moved the barriers in about 40'. I wanted to see the Huey and wasn't dissapointed by that either. Was a t a friends 40's house display right behind the helipad and got to smell the engine and experience the down draught from the rotors. :-o couple of video clips here. Take Off Landing A few Picture in the Gallery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Just watched the vids and pics. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Wow, that must have been awesome!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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