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Well they certainly took one person by surprise! Incredible scenes as hundreds take part in World War II reenactment of D-Day landings
By NINA GOLGOWSKI
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With guns firing, men falling to the ground and a WWII bomber plane flying overhead of a crunching 1944 tank, thousands in flip-flops and tank tops caught sight of the largest annual D-Day re-enactment in the U.S. this weekend, in Conneaut, Ohio.
Dubbed the 'most realistic and educational annual re-enactment of D-Day' that was first started by a small group of enthusiasts in 1999, the event on Lake Erie's shore has boomed to over 750 participants and thousands of spectators.
Audience members cross state lines to play witness to the one-hour battle on August 17-18 that's complete with exploding blood packets and authentic military vehicles delivering the reentactors to the scene.
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Standing out: The exception of a 1944 dress and technology code goes to this swimmer who paused to take pictures as a landing water craft dropped American soldier re-enactors on the beach at Conneaut Township Park
Storming the shore: American soldier re-enactors are seen storming the beach at Conneaut Township Park during their D-Day Conneaut on Saturday
Nothing lost: A variety of military transports drop American soldiers on the shore in a re-enactment that dates back to 1999 by a much smaller group of historical actors
It's two months late from the actual historic event that took place on June 6 of 1944, but so is the year, as well as the far-off location.
'Remarkably, the 250-yard long beach and sloping adjacent terrain closely resemble Omaha Beach in Normandy, France,' the event describes on their website.
Along this shore, WWII weapons were on display this weekend, a tank was fired in demonstration and guests were able to visit a German war camp, complete with uniformed guards out front, the Star Beacon reports.
A fully restored 1945 Mitchel B-25J-30 bomber nicknamed Georgie's Gal was also featured on loan from a museum, swooping overhead of waving crowds.
Sights and sounds: A fully restored 1945 Mitchel B-25J-30 bomber nicknamed Georgie's Gal swoops by spectators in causal attire, but who are just as enthusiastic as the participants
Strict rules: Thousands came out to watch the one-hour battle that had strict regulations on what the participants could wear and bring onto the battle field
On land a 1944 M4-A3 Sherman Tank rolled by also on loan.
Striving to keep things as authentic as possible, the event provides a series of regulations on what reenactors are to wear depending on their character's role in the battle.
The lists capture everything from uniforms to hair length.
Weapons are also closely regulated but for time-period authenticity.
'Our mission is to educate the public about the sacrifice of those who fought and those who died on the beaches of Normandy, June 6, 1944,' the event states. It adds their mutual desire 'to encourage remembrance, honour, and respect for the soldiers of the Allied and Axis armies of World War II.'
Numbers: There were over 750 participants in the event that spanned two days this year with at least 91 registered veterans participating
Uniform: Everything from how long the soldiers' hair was to what weapons they were allowed to carry were regulated according to the time period
Role play: Casualties, albeit acted out, were imminent with each participant being either a U.S. troop, among the British, Canadian and Polish forces, Axis Forces, the French Resistance, civilians or medics
'My wife often doesn't understand why I do this and I've often told her I think it's because you don't have the same shared experience as that I have,' said Mike Lavin, a German Reenactor and American combat veteran who said he has been a reenactor since 1985.
'Because you have not been there and done that, and it's certainly nothing you can read about in a book. You have to be there,' he told a mini video documentary on the event, conducted by D-Day Conneaut last year.
Over 91 registered veterans planned to attend the event this weekend according to the registration list in the days ahead.
'It gives us an opportunity to connect with successive generations and to give a moment of history,' said Betsy Bashore, CEO of last year’s D-Day Ohio.
Mission: The purpose of the event, while also to have a good time, was to educate the public about the sacrifice of those who fought and those who died on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944
The connection: One participant who is an American combat veteran, said that his wife often doesn't understand why he does it but he believes it's because she has never been in battle herself
'It also provides an avenue for veterans to talk about their experiences both with their families and the general public,' she added.
Roles available to participants are U.S. troops, British, Canadian and Polish forces, Axis Forces, the French Resistance, civilians and medics, according to their website.
'We’re at Conneaut Ohio, right on Lake Erie and we're here for a D-Day re-enactment,' American reenactor Jay Borman said before a D-Day Ohio camera while wearing a crisp G.I. uniform beside his brother Chris Borman.
'Some might say we're in England in 1944 June the fifth,' his brother interrupted.
'Depends on who you ask and when you ask,' they laugh.