As ever Military Odyssey (MO) was a trip through history and a real treat. The images below show just a small part of what was to be seen and is, of course, rather subjective as it is my selection.
I visited the show for the full three days and spent one of those days simply wandering around the camps taking photographs of opportunity. The selection of photographs under ‘Around the Show’ go some way toward illustrating what was to be seen, I particularly liked the selection of WW2 Deuce and a Half (CCKW-352) trucks, the added security just inside the main gate (complete with prisoner in a cage who presumably neglected to buy a ticket) and the British and German WW2 troops in the woods.
While there was a World War 2 (WW2) Western Front battle as a finale at the end of all three days, I’ve chosen to illustrate on this page a lesser seen depiction of a WW2 battle from North Africa. Jeeps, motorcycle combinations and Kubelwagens put on a very spirited display with the rather dry straw coloured grass adding to the north African depiction.
Around the Show
1861-1865 – The American Civil War
The Southern Skirmish Association (SoSkan) portraying the American Civil War are regular visitors to Military Odyssey. They invariably turn out in force and provide a spirited battle demonstration in the main Battle Arena. This year was no exception and a meeting engagement took place starting with skirmishers from both armies engaging before line infantry arrived to reinforce supported by artillery.
On the day that I witnessed the battle – the Sunday – the Union forces prevailed.
Victorian Soldiers – The Die Hards
The Die Hards, since 2018 a part of the Victorian Association, paraded in Home Service garb as the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and the 13th Surrey Rifles (Volunteers). Fire support was provided by a gas powered, blank firing Gatling Gun (that’s the one on wheels) and a two barrel Mark II Gardner of 1887.
World War 2 – North Africa
Late morning in the Battle Arena saw us transported back to North Africa, 1942. A Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) patrol has made contact with reconnaissance elements from Rommel’s Afrika Korps. Having a numerical advantage and jeeps armed with twin Vickers machine guns the outcome of this meeting engagement was always likely to go in favour of the LRDG, as proved to be the case.
And finally….
Well 2022 was another brilliant show full of action and living history groups who really do excel in demonstrating to us, the general public, the periods they depict. Add to the a super collection of hardware and non-stop action in multiple arenas and site locations and the show easily maintained its place as the premier living history show in the UK.
So let’s end the 2022 show with a BANG! while looking forward to the 2023 show…
Trains, Tanks & Planes 