WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets

Category: WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets --- See Latest World War I news here.

Experience life in the World War I trenches at The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson
The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson is recreating scenes from World War I on Portsdown Hill, and inviting the public to experience the trench warfare. Mark Selwood said: "The trench really brings history to life and allows visitors to experience life at the Western Front for themselves." It is back by popular demand, after the successful event last year. Organisers will use a host of special effects to bring history to life in the trench. With the historic Victorian fort as an impressive backcloth, the event will give a unique insight into Western Front tactics and assaults by German troops. [ portsmouth :: 2008-05-26 :: WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets ]

Re-enactors present WWI stories and offer cemetery tour to collect funds
With the coming of the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the 44th Michigan Company G of Lenawee County Tecumseh Volunteers set out to tell the stories of that era's local soldiers through historic interpreters at their gravesites. The 14th annual cemetery tour, part of the annual Promenade Tecumseh festivities, was carried out with two presentations. Linda Kronberg, secretary of the volunteer organization, said that 80 people attended the tours, with $1,000 collected toward the group's efforts to preserve the local war stories through interpretation. [ lenconnect :: 2008-05-18 :: WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets ]

Re-enactment revives memories of the Great War trenches
90 years ago, a piece of land on the edge of Barnsley was given to the 13th and 14th Battalions of the York and Lancaster Regiment to prepare for war. A training trench was dug, and soldiers spent hours perfecting their military skills. Recently a group of historians reenacted the scene. Organiser Duncan Simpson said the site on the edge of the village of Dodworth was "unique" because it was the only WWI training ground to still bear evidence of its original use. The site is owned by the national Scout Association, but last weekend men in authentic York and Lancaster uniforms pitched their tents. [ yorkshirepost :: 2008-05-15 :: WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets ]

The uniformed soldiers dug deep - Water balloon battle teaches about war
The uniformed soldiers dug deep in their trenches, keeping weapons close. Nearby, a medic team stood ready, waiting the casualties from the battle that would start at any moment. "Remember who you are!" yelled the Marine Corps commander. They needed reminding. After all, they were students, not German soldiers and U.S. Marines. Over 100 students reenacted the Battle of Belleau Wood, the June 1918 battle that proved to the Allies the US' dedication to winning the war. The students crafted helmets from papier-mache, used markers for names and insignia, and filled water balloons to use as weapons. "It's a great way to learn history, compared to reading it in books." [ floridatoday :: 2008-02-06 :: WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets ]

Horsemen reenact World War I battle: Capture Be'er Sheva in 1917
50 Australian horsemen crossed the plains of the Negev. They wore green cavalry uniforms, high boots and Australian bush hats adorned with a feather. The riders were kicking off a reenactment of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) cavalry campaign that led to the capture of the city of Be'er Sheva in 1917. The reenactment of the WWI battle is a joint project of "World War I Heritage in the Land of Israel" organization and an organization of Australian equestrians dedicated to preserving the memory of the ANZAC cavalry divisions. [ haaretz :: 2007-10-30 :: Tributes ]

WW1 film stars Paul Gross, strives for authenticity on Calgary set
It was one of the key battles of World War I and a time of both loss and valour for Canadian soldiers. For actor/director Paul Gross, its re-enactment is also personal - a chance to go back to 1917 and relive events experienced by his grandfather Michael Dunne. The Canadian film "Passchendaele" focuses on the experiences of Dunne, a soldier who served in the 10th Battalion, CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) at the Battle of Passchendaele (the Third Battle of Ypres). The film is set for release on Remembrance Day next year. The set's battlefield in Calgary is a swirl of mudpits, trenches and dead trees - a scene right out of the First World War. [ - :: 2007-09-28 :: Films, Movies & Footage ]

History lesson: trench warfare simulation and camouflage uniforms
The peace of Holston Valley Middle School was shattered by the rat-a-tat-tat of machine-gun fire. Suddenly, camouflaged soldiers jogged down a smoke-filled path and dove into a trench, waiting for orders from their commander. "Go!" yelled Tim Davis. One by one, students carrying rifles heaved up a slippery bank and crawled under barbed wire, headed for the No Man's Land. The re-enacted history lesson is designed to give students a better idea of what happens during war, said Davis, an Army veteran. Students prepared for 2 days, digging the trench and setting up the No Man's Land. They wore the same camouflage uniforms each day, getting dirtier every time. [ tricities :: 2007-05-11 :: WWI Reenactors & Reenactmets ]

Battle of the Somme Re-enactment - Uniforms and Trenches
For some, the Battle of the Somme has never ended. Gwyn Topham spends a night in the trenches at English Heritage's latest attraction. Jordan, the corporal, has a face that looks so first world war it is barely imaginable in a modern context. His immaculate uniform is a reproduction: genuine outfits are "too expensive and don't fit"; soldiers were smaller then. Living the history brings closer to understanding what the Tommies went through. He recalls talking to one of the very last living veterans. "He said: "You can always tell somebody who's been in the Great War. That look is in your eyes now." [ guardian :: 2006-08-23 :: Flags & Uniforms ]

First World War in the News is an edited review of hand-picked World War I 1914-1918 articles.