A Flak 88 firing during a Battle of Normandy re-enactment at the 2015 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Rob Welton)
The Secret City Festival next week will feature a World War II re-enactment.
The re-enactment of the Battle of Bloody Gulch will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Alvin K. Bissell Park in central Oak Ridge. It’s presented by NSPS, or National Strategic Protective Services.
Here is some of the equipment scheduled to be involved, according to a press release:
- Returning from the 2015 reenactment, the only fully live firing German Flak 88 in the United States, which will perform firing demonstrations.
- Authentic Allied vehicles including jeeps, armored halftracks, scout cars, and anti-tank artillery.
- Authentic Axis vehicles including a German Stug III Ausf G assault tank, Panzer III command tank, a Sd. Kfz 251 halftrack, and a M3 Antitank Gun just to name a few.
- Static display pieces include a 1940 Ford 20mm gun truck with gun, a Russian 1944 T34 main battle tank, a 1943 British 25 pound field howitzer with limber, and more.
- Re-enactors representing American infantry, German Wehrmacht, assault troops, Fallschirmjagers, and more.
Here’s a synopsis of the battle re-enactment:
After D-Day, the Germans began to regroup by rushing their elite divisions into battle. In June 1944, German forces tried to re-take Carentan, France, which was strategically important to both the Americans and Germans. This attempted retaking is known as the Battle of Bloody Gulch. The 101st Airborne came under attack, and the German forces showed signs of breaking through American lines. At a critical point in the battle, American tanks arrived and feigned off the German attack. The battle was decisive, and from that moment on U.S. forces had a lodgment area from which they could launch future operations. This action was immortalized in the HBO series “Band Of Brothers.”
“Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of this important battle during World War II and learn about the men and women who helped ensure the Allied victory that shaped the world we live in today,” the press release said. “See the uniforms, equipment, and vehicles that were part of the world’s largest conflict in action. Come and experience one of the largest groupings of authentic World War II vehicles and equipment in the South. Tour period military encampments, inspect authentic period vehicles and weaponry, and learn more about what the life of a soldier was like during World War II.
“Whether you have family ties to World War II or if you just have a keen interest in history, this one-day celebration has something for everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the museum come to life and learn more about the sacrifices and contributions of ‘America’s Greatest Generation.'”
Oak Ridge played a vital role in the Manhattan Project of World War II, a top-secret program to build the world’s first atomic weapons.
Festival organizers said NSPS provided generous support for the World War II re-enactment. NSPS provides protective force services to the U.S. Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge that include the East Tennessee Technology Park, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Federal Building complex.
The Secret City Festival is Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. For more information, visit www.SecretCityFestival.com.
Battle of Normandy World War II Soldiers Reenactment (File photo/submitted photo)
Battle of Normandy World War II Reenactment (File photo/submitted photo)
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