A Military Odyssey – 2018

Introducing such an established event as Military Odyssey is never easy, especially when each year the show seems to be an improvement over the previous year’s show. That’s certainly the case with Military Odyssey 2018 which featured reenactors, battles and demonstrations from many periods of history. Particularly impressive was the World War 2 battle from the Eastern Front featuring a splendidly restored T-34 and replica Katyusha rocket launcher (nicknamed Stalin’s Organ by the German soldiers).

When compiling my photos for these pages the hard part is knowing what to leave out and avoid publishing  too many pictures, thus risk boring my audience. For Military Odyssey 2018 I’ve covered 3 of the arena battles plus a good walk-around of the camp areas. I hope that this makes for an interesting and varied compilation of images, but it’s by no means a comprehensive record of what was on display and I could have included images from:

• Spearfish Creek Shoot out
• Regia Anglo Village Attack
• Vietnam Jungle Ambush
• Medieval battle 3rd Crusades.

…and many more. I’ve featured some of the above groups on other pages on this site, so try the links if you’d like to see more, but now let’s look at the images from 2018.

Around the Camp

UH-1 Iroquois “Huey”

Viking Log Ship

Jeep “Somewhere in France – late 1944”

Daimler Dingo Scout Car

6pdr anti-tank gun with WW” British Paratrops

WW2 British Paratroops

Soviet Troops WW2

Union Office American Civil War

Morris Commercial C8 – British WW2

American Special Forces – Iraq 21st Century

Union Battle Flags – American Civil War

Opel Blitz truck – German WW2

Union Soldier – American Civil War

Confederate Infantry – American Civil War

American Special Forces – Iraq 21st Century

German Motorcycle Combination – WW2

8th Army ‘Desert Rats’ – “Tea Up!”

LRDG – Western Desert British WW2

LRDG Jeep – British WW2

Checkpoint Afghanistan

German Battle Group – WW2

Morris Commercial C8 – Royal Navy WW2

Union soldier – American Civil War

Union soldier – American Civil War

Confederate Sawbones – American Civil War

British Paratrooper – WW2

Dodge weapons Carrier

British Paratrooper – WW2

Hoplites – Ancient Greece

Imperial Japanese infantry man – WW2

Imperial Japanese Army officer – WW2

Roman Centurion & Optio

Lloyds Carrier – British WW2

Die Hard – Victorian Soldiers

Jeep with British Paratroops – WW2

Jeep – American WW2

White half-track with 105mm howitzer – American WW2

M8 Grey Hound armoured car – American WW2

Austin 10 & Austin K2 Ambulance

Austin K2 Ambulance

Spitfire Mk IX (replica)

8th Army ‘Desert Rats’ – “Tea Up!”

American Genral Patton and his Lady – WW2

Desert Army – British WW2

Daimler Dingo Scout Cars

Jeep – WW2

Lloyds Carrier – British WW2

“Home on leave!” – British soldiers WW2

American 101st Parachute Infantry “Screamin Eagles” – WW2

American 101st Parachute Infantry “Screamin Eagles” – WW2

Regia Anglorum – early Medieval

Regia Anglorum – early Medieval

Regia Anglorum – early Medieval

Knight’s helmet – Medieval

Medieval Apothecary

Crusader Knight – Medieval Period

Crusader Knight – Medieval Period

Die Hards – Victorian Soldiers

Royal Navy – WW2

“Somewhere in England” 1940

Medieval Apothecary

US Civil War
This tragic period in American history is presented by the Southern Skirmish Association. The significant numbers involved and an informative historical commentary make for a very meaningful and informative re-enactment.

Boer War
Having recently returned from a battlefield tour of the Zulu and Boer Wars I was particularly looking forward to seeing these Victorian soldiers in action and I was certainly not disappointed. Immaculately turned out with professional looking drill the skirmish with the Boers was a splendid spectacle.

Something that is impressive about the reenactment groups is how they stay in their period even when not performing demonstrations in the various arenas. On Sunday morning I came across church parade demonstrating traditional Victorian values including a good rendition of I vow to thee, my country.

Soviet Union Vs Germany – World War 2
It’s quite sometime since I have had the opportunity to view a T-34 / 85 in a battle re-enactment. Go back 10 years and this tank seemed to be around everywhere but now they seem limited to the big shows such as TANKFEST and War & Peace and even then only run as a demonstration vehicle rather than in a ‘battle’.

This re-enactment took the form of a meeting engagement with a replica StuG III and SdKfz 251 half-tracks supporting the German troops, while the Russian troops had a replica armoured car, Katyusha rocket launcher, Gaz jeep,  lend lease truck and White half-track and the T34 / 85. In this particular set piece the outcome was a Russian victory.

And Finally…
So ended Military Odyssey 2018, always a case of rejoicing at having attended such a splendid show but also a trifle sadness as it pretty much marks the end of the living history season for another year.

It was yet another great show so thanks again Military O for a very enjoyable 2 days, but next year it really will be 3 days for Tony and I.