Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum this weekend

Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum <i>(Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)</i>
Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

A outdoor museum is preparing to commemorate wartime history.

Chiltern Open Air Museum's event, Britain at War, will take place this weekend on Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10.

It promises to be a multi-period living history event that "commemorating the nation’s wartime past".

Organisers said this "immersive, family-friendly event" will showcase how British military and civilian life evolved from the medieval era to World War Two and beyond.

Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air MuseumBritain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)

During the event, visitors will have a rare opportunity to explore authentic living history camps, interact with re-enactors from various historical periods, and watch a range of combat demonstrations, rifle firing displays, and even Lindy Hop dancing sessions.

A Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast by an RAF Hurricane is scheduled for Saturday.

It will pay homage to 'The Few', the pilots who defended UK skies during World War Two.

The museum, which sprawls across a 45-acre site complete with historic buildings, will be brough to life by a long list of re-enactment groups.

Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air MuseumBritain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)

These include the Medieval Warhorses, who will showcase their mounted combat and skill-at-arms displays, and Chanz des Reis, a group offering a 13th-century medieval living history experience with interactive drills.

Sir Marmaduke Rawdon’s Regiment of Foote will recreate an English Civil War Society encampment, while the 2nd Battalion of the 95th Rifles will present Napoleonic war drills and rifle firing.

The Warwicks 1914-1918 will portray the Boer War era, while the 10th Essex and Rifles Living History Society aims to shed light on life in World War One trenches.

The Oxfordshire Home Guard, ARP Vicar, Utility Jude, Doing Their Bit, and Home Front Defenders will give insight into life on the home front during World War Two.

Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air MuseumBritain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)

Other groups offering historical insight include the U.S. 1st Infantry Division, U.S. 82nd Airborne, American Infantry Association and Homefront to Frontline, who will detail the Allied forces' time stationed in England before D-Day.

Squadron X Bomber Command and the Lone Rat will present RAF displays, including Desert Rats of North Africa.

A Winston Churchill re-enactor will deliver engaging talks about the life of Britain's famed wartime leader, while Jeep, Jump, Jive will keep visitors entertained with 1940s music, Lindy Hop social dancing, and interactive dance classes.

There will also be various vintage military vehicles, wartime displays, and hands-on activities for families and history enthusiasts to enjoy.

The event, which is supported by government funding through Arts Council England, forms part of the museum’s commemorative VE and VJ Day programmes.

All exhibits and displays are subject to change, and more information is available at coam.org.uk

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos