Well over a thousand people turned out Saturday, November 11th, for “The Battle for Veterans.” The event is an annual WWII reenactment and tribute to Veterans at the Zephyrhills, Florida Airport. The two day event was sponsored by the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History.
WW2Armor.Org
Supporting the event was WW2Armor, an educational non-profit devoted to presenting the history of World War II armor to the public. WW2Armor owns nine authentic and replica tanks that are operational, with several more in the restoration process. The group also owns and operates various artillery pieces and armored vehicles that were used on both the American and German sides of the conflict.
WW2Armor’s impressive presentation included World War II Allied & Axis camps, a troop and vehicle parade, a WWII battle re-enactment, focusing on late war armor tactics, tank, tank destroyer, artillery salute fires, WW2 Armor “Tanker Talks” on armor in WWII, tank crew demonstration drills, and weapons demonstrations.
WW2Armor’s Mission
WW2Armor’s website describes the group’s mission this way:
” While many WWII armored vehicles can be seen in museums or as part of outdoor memorial displays, that only goes so far. An entirely different impression and understanding comes when the engines roar to life and the vehicles kick up dust and dirt as they rumble past. Though, it’s the thundering boom of the main gun and the low, repetitive thud of the M2 .50 cal. machine gun that grabs the most attention.
That’s all combined with a thorough understanding, use and display of the tactics, techniques and procedures U.S. armor crews trained on and used during the war. To put it simply, we train as they fought so we can bring the “museum” to the public.”
An Astounding Presentation of Living History
The event delivered everything promised and more. Spectators were treated to a battle reenactment using “dummy” ammunition and pyrotechnics to simulate the sights and sounds of a WWII battlefield. It was easy to find yourself drawn in to the moment and imagine yourself on the front lines in a WWII battle deep in Germany.
