The sky was leaden with intermittent light rain as we waited for the gates to open for Military Odyssey 2024. Our excitement was tinged with apprehension as we considered how to spend the day and, more importantly, whether the dreadful forecast from the Met office for heavier rain would come to pass. In fact, the Met did get the forecast about right, but we had little need to worry as this rather damp day gave us plenty of time to browse the exceptional selection of dealers, many undercover, selling all manner of collectible items with a historic military connection. Prices were, as one might expect at a specialist event, at fair market prices, but bargains were there to be sought out, my own prized item being an original, 1942 dated, WW2 German helmet in excellent condition for £150 (usual retail price of such an item being £300 upwards). For the Sunday and Monday, the weather cleared and was, except for the odd light rain shower, much improved and so on to the show…
Around the Show
It’s difficult for me to pick out my favourite part of Military Odyssey, but if pushed I would declare it to be wandering around the show and the camps, chatting to the re-enactors and taking photos. Below is my collection of snaps, mostly taken on the Monday of the show, I think they speak for themselves as to the fantastic array and quality of the re-enactors.
The Battles
All of the battles were presented authentically and entertainingly, so much so that ranking them was quite impossible, accordingly I have presented them in historical chronological order.
The Die Hards – Victorian Soldiers, 1837-1901
I’ve known Tim and James and their company of Die Hard soldiers for many years. I have great respect for all the living history groups that appear at the various shows, but of them all I think this group are perhaps the most authentic presenting not only the equipment and military tactics, but actually living the values of the times they portray; for example come along to their camp early on the Sunday of Military Odyssey and you are likely to find the group at church parade, lustily singing an appropriate hymn (click here for the 2018 page, including a short video of church parade).
At this year’s show the group performed in Arena 1 and for 25 minutes gave a very impressive demonstration of firepower and battle tactics, including, a mountain gun on an extemporised carriage manned by 60th Rifles re-enactors. In previous years they have carried out a battle re-enactment in the Battlefield, most notably against Boer re-enactors recreating the opening stage of the 1st Boer War, the action at Bronkhurstspruit (click here to see my images and a short video of this re-enactment at the 2019 Military Odyssey show) .
As a re-enactment group the Die Hards have continued to develop and are now the signature group of the larger Victorian Association, in the form of A Company, 24th Regiment of Foot. This evolution benefits all the groups in the Association and allows for more flexible and comprehensive re-enactments.
This year I was kindly invited to watch the group drilling outside of the arena and my snaps are mainly from this training.
Southern Skirmish Association – American Civil War, 1861-65
The Southern Skirmish Association, or SoSkan, are an American Civil War re-enactment and living history association, who formed in 1968 and are the longest established American Civil War group outside of the United States.
SoSkan regularly appear at Military Odyssey, as they do at my own show Echoes of History, and displayed both in the Battlefield and in the woods, the former with a battle re-enactment and the latter as a camp walk through. This year the number of re-enactors was larger than any year I remember, with groups joining from Europe as well as the UK.
The very impressive battle re-enactment focussed on a segment of the Gettysburg battle, generally considered to be the most significant fight in the war. Gettysburg was the last time that General Lee, of the Confederate Army, invaded the Northern States. Following the defeat of Lee, the initiative moved to the Northern States and, due to their greater economic power, their victory became almost inevitable.
10th Essex – World War I, 1914-18
I’m rather cheating including these images of the 10th Essex, not because the group did not attend the 2024 show, but because I didn’t manage to visit them. Because we lost the Saturday to bad weather, I was rather pushed to get around to visiting all the groups and the 10th Essex was one of the groups that I, regretfully, missed.
The 10th Essex has a rather clever, above ground, WWI trench system and take groups of visitors around this, explaining aspects of the First World War and the lives of the British Tommy. Last year the group were kind enough to invite us – Tony, Brian and I – in for a private tour and posed for us while we took photographs, and it is these snaps that I have posted for a second time.
North African Battle – World War II, 1942
Set in 1942 in North Africa, we were privileged to see a confrontation between the German Afrika Korps and elements of the 8th Army in the form of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). The Afrika Korps were supported by a SdKfz 251 half-track and several motorcycles, while the LRDG had the ubiquitous Jeep, suitably up-gunned with twin Vickers machine guns and .5 inch machine guns.
The encounter started with a small LRDG patrol being surprised by a larger German force but ended with a British victory when reinforcements arrived to turn the tables on the Afrika Korps. I have presented all these images in black and white as it seems more appropriate to tone down the greens of the lush Kent countryside as these encounters would have taken place in the rocky, sandy and sometimes barren North African landscape.
Northern Europe Battle – World War II, 1944
Our second World War II battle took us to Northern France in the 3rd quarter of 1944, so post D-Day. In this scenario, the Allied armies, have broken out of Normandy and left the heavily wooded Bocage country behind and are now advancing across France towards Falaise. The fighting is confused with elements of several German units fighting a rear-guard action at the junction of the British and American armies. Overwhelmed by Allied strength in both armour, infantry and artillery the German forces are pushed back until surrender becomes inevitable.
In reality many World War II British, German and American groups took part in the battle including Men of Arnhem HQ Troop, 304 Panzergrenadier LHG, Screaming Eagles LHG, Panzer Lehr, the 3rd Para Brigade and many others.
Monuments Men – World War II, March 1945
I’ve labelled this group of images as The Monuments Men, but that’s actually my creative title and is a cheat; they actually represent A Company of the 29th American Infantry and go under the group name of “29th Infantry – Hell and back”. At the show they were representing Infantry advancing into Germany in the early Spring of 1945, who have discovered a converted cave stashed with, presumably looted, Nazi treasure.
It was excellent to see the Group presenting themselves in this unusual way, which immediately reminded me of scenes from that most excellent and entertaining move, The Monuments Men. My thanks go to all of the Group for their hospitality, especially on the Saturday when it started to pour with rain and I sought cover in their ‘cave’, and for posing for my camera.
Seal Team SARD – Current Day
Bringing us to current times were Seal Team SARD, representing modern US Navy Seals. The scenario presented involved a mobile unit from an undisclosed, extremist group intent on harm to the United States and its armed forces. After being ambushed by the ‘bad guys’ the Seals quickly recovered and with their superior numbers, training and firepower were able to respond and eliminate the threat.
Watching historic re-enactments is brilliant, but seeing this contemporary scenario showing what warfare can be in the 21st Century, was both interesting and thought provoking
Show Guide
A full colour show guide was on offer, providing details of the re-enactment groups and arena activities..
And Finally…
I’ve been coming to Military Odyssey for at least 20 years, in fact I think I missed just the first 2 shows. In those early times I visited just for one day and tried to cram in seeing all the camps and battles, but it wasn’t long before I was visiting all days, be that 2 or 3, the latter as the show grew. I visit a number of living history shows every year and am involved in presenting one two day show that is local to me, but undoubtedly Military Odyssey is the highlight of my living history year.
On my photo essays I always take time to thank the many groups that appear at the show, who share their passion and knowledge and do thank them again, but this year I would like to include a massive thanks to the gents who present the show… so thank you Dave King and James Aslett for another brilliant 3 days, I can’t wait to see what your 25th anniversary show will bring next year!
PS: Dave and James, I took a copy of your picture from the show programme, I hope that you will forgive any minor copyright infringement.
And finally, some more thanks, this time to me mates Tony and Brian, thanks to both for putting up with me (and my jokes!) during our four-day trip and thanks to Brian for being the nominated driver. Accommodation for 2025 show is booked and already I’m looking forward to it!
Footnote, I admit that any errors on this page are mine and mine alone, if you spot any goofs relating to you or your group, including caption errors, please do reach out to me and I’ll do my best to correct.
Trains, Tanks & Planes 