The War & Peace Show 2000
" The Battle "

This is the account of one of the battles staged last year by the Second Battle Group, as narrated by Andy Coleborn.

The arena re-enactment scenario was pretty much the same as last year but with more re-enactors, more vehicles and more explosions ! In use for the first time was Rttf. Ihssens beautifully restored German Ford, Obergren. Rösslers Mercedes (which won second prize for the best ambulance) and the vehicles that Joachim had bought over with him including the Pzkpfw. Mk II and RSO mounting a Pak 40. After a very intricate safety briefing from Hscha. Siegel where various pyros were demonstrated, battle tactics practiced and the scenario explained in detail everything was ready for total war. The Grenadiers of the 3.Kp  donned their camouflage , checked their weapons and equipment and formed up in their various sections. Whilst this was happening the Allied forces were warming up their tank engines and going through their final safety checks.

The battles started with the German forces and their vehicles parked at the far end of the field with only the Pz. Mk IV situated in the front line. The Allied attack started and the first vehicle to take a hit was indeed the Pz. Mk IV. This looked very impressive and realistic with smoke pouring from the vehicle and one legged Gren. Bein being dragged from the smoking tank with one trouser leg flapping around in the air. Under covering fire the enormous FAMO was then sent in to recover the Mk.IV and whilst this was going on the Mercedes in it's ambulance role drove forward to collect the casualties. As the stricken MK IV was towed to the rear the German forces pulled back making a tactical withdraw .

The bombardment started and the Allies advanced slowly as explosions erupted in the center of the arena. The German Ford was sent into action carrying the German Panzer Grenadiers who immediately went into the attack covered by a fully auto MG42. Some other Half tracks who's owners had wished to participate in the re-enactment stormed forward clearing a passage for the SBGs own Half track which then steamed into action, MG 42 firing fully auto from atop. The Half tracks doors jammed and the crew had to jump over the top and into action.  Next into action was the Opel Blitz mounting the flak gun from saving private Ryan.

Whilst this was going on various other sections of the SBG lead by Rttf. " Hose them down " Schiller, Strm. Höhne and Obergren. Jüttner were moving forward at a fast pace on foot and taking up positions in the front line. The Allies that were on foot were temporarily  stunned by the onslaught and made a frantic retreat behind the cover of their vehicles. Driving around and causing havoc in a motorcycle combination were Strm. Bayerlein and Gren. Wagner who was manning a fully auto MG 42 fixed on the sidecar. Once out of ammo they got off the bike and stormed into action with their MP 40s. The Allies decided to send in their heavy armour and soon the arena was a mass of vehicles and men.

As the battle progressed and the Allied armour closed in Gren. Volkmann was let loose with the fearsome Panzerschreck !.The effect of this weapon firing was very impressive and the Allied armour was soon halted with smoke streaming from them. Not to be outdone was Rttf. Gurowski and his loyal Panzerfaust and last but not least was Gren. Deutz who had designed and made some fantastic Haft - Hohlladung magnetic mines. Not only did these look real but they also worked! On many an occasion Gren. Deutz stormed forward, stuck a mine on a tank and the hit the ground as the mine exploded. Our trusty Hscha. Siegel was to be seen everywhere barking orders and keeping the battle flowing.

Slowly the Allies advanced deeper into our territory and the Half track was once again sent into the front line. As a Stewart tank outflanked our positions Joachim's Mk II went into action against it peppering it with its 20 mm machine gun. On the right flank another piece of Allied armour penetrated deep into our lines but this was stopped by Joachim's 7.5cm Pak 40/4 auf GeP. Selbstfahrlafette and soon the American tank was in flames (well, heavy smoke). However, the now superior numbers of the Allies were driving us back and once again our trusty Half track thrust forward only to be hit by an American bazooka. After one final thrust the Allies had driven the remaining German forces back to end of the arena and thus ended the re-enactment.

Once the battles were over all re-enactors lined up for a weapons check and were either marched or driven out of the arena. Once back at the display weapons were immediately cleaned and rechecked ready for the next day's engagement. Whenever possible a parade was called each day. The SBG also had a photo printed in the local newspaper showing Strm. Oberg and Gren. Lincke sitting by the MG emplacement. The Kent Messenger stated that over 80,000 public had attended the show over the five days with some 10,000 public watching the battles everyday. We also had a TV interview with Meridian TV and many other TV interviews were given as well. September's (2000) Gun Mart has a short report on the show featuring photos of the SBG, and there was a full show report in the October edition.

Find out more about the Second Battle Group