KELMARSH
HALL - FESTIVAL of HISTORY
19th 20th July
Kelmarsh Hall,
the Festival of History is our second biggest show of the year and like Military
Odyssey in August is a multi-period event with re-enactment groups portraying
periods from the Roman army and medieval peasants and Militia right through
to WW2 and the Great Patriotic War, and that's where the 2nd Guards Rifle
Division come in.
Members of the unit took part in the Western Front public battle representing
the French Resistance but we were treated to a spectacular sight when members
of the Parachute Regiment dropped from the skies to land on the battlefield
in text book style and this kicked off the public battle display.
Our
recruiting table manned by our NCO who is wearing medical private's shoulder
boards, medic armband and an Infantry furazhka, a strange combination
A
busy life in the camp as the cook's assistance is watched by a smoking NCO.
This
the 'boss' of the 'food front' who keeps a close eye on the cooks assistant
and anyone else who comes near her cooking area. If she's not happy then the
sky turns grey, but she does cook a lovely meal though!
Two
unit members discuss the progress of the war! Dressed in typical style for a
Red Army man of 1944/45.
The
units Medical Officer after a busy day at the 'office'.
The
units officer shares a joke with the NCO's.
A
good close up picture of a Yefreytor testing the snipers version of the Mosin
Nagant rifle.
The
Medical Officers NCO assistant.
A
good example of the pre-war uniform.
The
Medical Officer receives his Combat Merit Medal for eight days in the field.
This
young keen member of the 2nd Guards.
Above:
The NCO practices with the snipers version of the Mosin Nagant rifle.
Right: The same NCO now tests the fire power of the famous Red Army weapon,
the PPSh-41 sub-machinegun.
The
soldier wearing the pre-war kit shows how the puttees should be worn.
Two
2nd Guards members practise with an anti-aircraft MG.
The
officers uniform of a Kapitan, the Obr43. Note the contrast between the officers
uniform and the NCO's and other ranks.
An
interesting picture of a Red Army junior NCO wearing the Obr43uniform.
The
Starshiy Serzhant seen at another angle using the PPSh-41 sub-machine gun.
Left:
Time for something to eat.
Left:
A very happy member of the 2nd Guards.
Left: A good shot of
camp life and the unit cooks Larrissa and Andrei , as they work hard preparing
the meals that the 2nd Guards marches on!
Left:
As I mentioned as the begining of my introduction for this page that some members
of the 2nd Guards took part in the Western Front public battle, and along with
our friends from La Columna, helped our friends from English Heritage stage
the battle as French Resistance fighters whose job it was to guard an airfield
drop zone for the arrival of parachutists and other allied troops from the dreaded
'La Bocsh'.
