One of the largest sections in the History Festival was groups representing the World War Two arena.

Apart from many different units there was a large battle re-enactment which involved some paratroopers (Black Knights Army Display Team) landing on D-Day & assisting French Partisans before the British Army arrived. They were attacked by two German Messerschmitt 108s (representing the Me 109s) which were then seen off by a genuine Spitfire which saw action on D-Day itself in 1944.

Groups of many nations were represented. We saw many different groups of Americans & British units, together with some German, but also one or two units of Russians.

The following 3 shots are of German troops from the 2/Pz.Aufkl.Abt.Grossdeutschland – a German Armoured Reconnaissance Unit.

The Living History camps were detailed & realistic with tons of genuine WWII weapons & equipment.

The Russian Solders below are from the 2nd Guards Rifle Division.

Incidentally, during the main battle display, one of the paratroopers ‘chutes failed. Luckily he was able to release it & deploy the reserve parachute. I have no idea whether this was a genuine problem or staged, but unfortunately, I was shooting one of the other paratroopers so didn’t actually catch that moment.