Battle of Normandy World War II reenactment at Secret City Festival this year

The time is June 1944. After more than four years of German occupation, the Allies have launched the invasion of “fortress Europe” as part of history’s largest combined amphibious and aerial assault. The tide of the war has started to change, but in these early days of combat nothing is certain.

Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of frontline combat on the western front during World War II and learn about the men and women who helped ensure the Allied victory that shaped the world we live in today. See the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that were part of the world’s largest conflict in action. Come and experience one of the largest groupings of authentic World War II vehicles and equipment in the south! Tour period military encampments, inspect authentic period vehicles and weaponry, and learn more about what the life of a soldier was like during the war.

You can see all this and more during the 2015 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge on June 13. The festival is at Alvin K. Bissell Park and the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

Scheduled to attend the reenactment are:

• the only fully live firing German Flak 88 in the United States, which will perform firing demonstrations;
• authentic Allied vehicles including jeeps, armored halftracks, scout cars, and anti-tank artillery;
• authentic Axis vehicles including a German Stug III Ausf G assault tank, Panzer III command tank, a Sd. Kfz 251 halftrack, and a mounted Flak 38, just to name a few; and
• re-enactors representing American paratroopers and infantry, British paratroopers, German Wehrmacht, assault troops, and fallschirmjagers.

The battle re-enactment is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13.

“Whether you have family ties to World War II or if you just have a keen interest in history, this one day celebration has something for everyone,” a press release said. “Don’t miss this opportunity to see the museum come to life and learn more about the sacrifices and contributions of ‘America’s Greatest Generation.'”

Organizers of this year’s Secret City Festival, which starts Friday, June 12, said they would like to recognize the generous support for the Battle of Normandy reenactment provided by NSPS (National Strategic Protective Services) and Triple Canopy.

National Strategic Protective Services is a joint venture of Triple Canopy and Securiguard, and it was founded to protect strategic, critical national infrastructure. The leading security companies comprising the NSPS joint venture currently secure United States’ interests both at home and abroad. NSPS provides protective force services to the U.S. Department of Energy’s facilities in Oak Ridge, including the East Tennessee Technology Park, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Federal Building Complex. Triple Canopy is a leading provider of integrated security and mission support services to government agencies and multinational corporations worldwide, and it serves as the managing member of National Strategic Protective Services.