~Feynoir

Well we have just come back from one of the greatest weekends we have experienced in a long time.

The largest World War 2 re-enactment in Australian History was held in our vicinity and we were engaged to photograph and video the event. And what an event, the costumes, the vehicles, the weapons, explosions, rocket launchers, cannons, everything except for dive bombers.

I was despatched to the German camp and was soon clothed in a German uniform and fitted with a full pack of field gear. Before long I was on the front lines in full defence against a determined British-American-Polish-Dutch allied attack force.

The running battle continued for the next 10 kilometres with us Germans fighting a gallant retreat until we re-grouped and charged the Allied flank. Our Niebelwefurs took out their light armoured vehicles and then us grunts charged their trenches. It was just like playing Call Of Duty2 (except for running with a full load and trying to take pictures - I'm not getting any younger!).

The Germans won this battle, just as they did for real in 1944.

Probably the real highlight was to get to speak with real veterans who were there in WW2. Amazing stories from amazing people. The pain and scars (emotional and physical) that these guys have lived with all of their lives is truly sobering. Anyone who thinks that they have problems should talk to some of these vets.

And to those of you out there who condemn this type of activity, you know, those of you who think Anzac Day means nothing, and that re-enactors are just war mongers glorifying violence - remember - those who forget history are doomed to repeat it's mistakes.

Some pictures from the weekend [link]