HOOTON PARK 1940s WEEKEND 20TH AND 21ST AUGUST 2016

Built in 1917 and operational during #WWII, as an RAF base for coastal command, Hooton Park, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, staged it's second 1940s weekend. One of the aircraft hangars was the venue for lots of 1940s entertainment, which included the Victory Girls.

There were lots of WWII and Home Front re-enactors and #vintage shopping opportunities with militaria and  clothing stalls.(Pictured below #Navy Online Re-enactors.)

With Wartime re-enactments, military and civilian vehicles, and equipment and uniforms on display,

 and also plenty of tables and chairs for everyone to enjoy the music and a cup of tea, this was a relaxed and enjoyable event!

COMMANDERY WORCESTER - FEBRUARY 14th 2016

Icy temperatures didn't deter the re-enactors who turned out in their numbers for this multi-period event at the Commandery in Worcestershire.  WWII was also represented with a display from the Victorian and Westerners re-enactment group.  Their exhibition was based on the work of the American War Correspondent including Lee Miller who is to be the subject of a new film with Kate Winslet playing the leading role.

Costumed re-enactors from WWII represented the Army, Navy and Airforce also the Home Front and the French Resistence.

Considering this was an early event in the UK 2016 re-enactment season, there were plenty of visitors and the re-enactors put on a great show!

#commanderyworcester   #WWIIre-enactors   #HomeFront

SPETCHLEY PARK MULTI PERIOD EVENT 2015

Used by the USAAF Air Force during WWII as a recovery centre for pilots, Spetchley Park was the venue for a multi period re-enactment two day event, last weekend.

 Built in 1811 this lovely Georgian mansion house, parkland and lake brought something very different to the #1940sevents calendar! We were transported through history with Roman, Medieval, American and English Civil War, Edwardian and Victorian re-enactors (and more) all providing stunning costumes, re-enactments and displays.

The 1940s were also represented and there was fun and laughter with a  display of "swing" dancing from the Forever 40s re-enactment Group to the sounds of Glen Miller which put us all "in the mood."

In the stable yard an RAF Operations room re-enacted the sights and sounds of wartime Britain and a nearby field was the site for many WWII displays.

 

Re-enactors from all time periods mingled and chatted and made this an interesting and a great experience!  I'm already looking forward to next years event at #SpetchleyPark!

Source
http://www.visitworcestershire.org/about Worcestershire/Worcester-Spetchley-Park-Gardens/

THE TOP SECRET WWII AIRFIELD and RAF DEFFORD WEEKEND 2015

Hidden in the Worcestershire countryside, Croome Court and Parkland  was requisitioned by Churchill's government during WWII. In 1941, the construction of an airfield, RAF Defford#, was completed. It was at these two locations that top secret work on the research and development of radar began, which was to play a key role in the defence of Great Britain! This included the use of radar for the detection of enemy aircraft and German U-boats.

Croome's RAF Defford Weekend, 11th and 12th July 2015, brought displays and exhibitions, music and entertainment in the 1940's canteen, vintage vehicles, market stalls and wartime costumed re-enactors.

RAF Defford Veterans were also present to tell their stories to the visitors.

Preserved by the National Trust and supported by volunteers, Croome Park# was once, during WWII, home to over 2,500 civilian and military staff and also scientists. Such an interesting piece of history and an enjoyable weekend!

Source
www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/3339/m-air-station
www.worcester.co.uk/news/regional

STEPPING BACK IN TIME TO WWII AND RAF DESBOROUGH, RAF HARRINGTON AND THE USAAF.

A disused airfield in Desborough, Kettering, Northamptonshire, now silent and empty was once during WWII, the scene of immense activity. We can imagine the roar of the engines, young RAF pilots running to their planes and suddenly the sky filled with the sight of Wellington bombers off on a mission.

Based at RAF Desborough, No 84 Operational Training Unit at RAF Desborough, consisted of night bomber crews flying Vickers Wellington Bombers.  This airfield was also a training base for Miles Martinets and Dc3 Dakotas.

Nearby, Just  5 miles west of Kettering and  planned as a satellite at RAF Desborough was RAF Harrington, an operational training unit for the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force. Known as the Carpetbaggers and using B-24 Liberators, the 801st Bomb Group flew agents and supplies to the resistance groups in Southern France.

Weather reports from Bletchley Park and Photographic Aerial  Intelligence enabled these covert operations to capitalize upon and strengthen the French Resistance. Also, the SOE, Special Operations Executive, helped to co-ordinate the activities of the French Resistance.

Today, Desborough remembers and commemorates WWII with its 1940s events! Desborough village "steps back to the 1940s" as it is transformed with bunting, stalls and costumed re-enactors. The shops sell vintage goodies, there is a wartime café with"rations" and lively demonstrations of 40s dancing - anyone can join in! A wartime vehicle parade winds it's way through the village and there's lots more for visitors to see. Their 2014 event was a sunny, happy and friendly occasion and a lovely tribute to their wartime history and heroes.
      Www.1940spicturepost.blogspot..com
Source
Britains Secret War 1939-1945 Michael Smith
wikipedia.org/wiki/list-of-operational-training-units
Wikipedia.org/wiki/RafHarrington