This is the second in a series about Old Bedford Village. This one is from our correspondent,
Nick Korolev:
OLD BEDFORD VILLAGE 1940s WEEKEND
This was a unique and wonderful experience for myself and friend Rick “Byrdie” Byrd. We are both Civil War living historians and reenactors who belong to the Federal Generals Corps (first person impressions living history – him Gen. George Crook, Army of West Virginia and me Gen. William Averell 2nd Cavalry Div, Army of West Virginia) and 1st WV Cavalry. My interest in history goes beyond the Civil War. I also have a big interest in WWII Battle of the Atlantic (1939-1945). I am seriously considering starting a WWII living history group that concentrates on “first person” impressions and besides going up to support Old Bedford Village, I wanted to check out the WWII reenacting units and living history since I had never been to a WWII event – only been reading Jim Barnes interesting reports on this blog.
We came up from West Virginia arriving just before noon. I had on my U-boatwaffe T-shirt for the event feeling like a fish out of water among ground troops but not for long. It was a great event that not only had the combat units of Americans, Russians and Germans doing both living history and combat scenarios but also excellent Abbott and Costello impersonators who’s comic timing was perfect and had us laughing to the point Byrdie about fell out of his chair with the classic “Who’s On First” skit. The reenactors were all very friendly and readily answered any questions about weapons, uniforms and history. The planned scenarios of an ambush and snipers went off well. However, Byrdie who often complains about rebels in kevlar stopped by a downed American GI on our way to the surgery demo and said, “You died too quick.” We all got a laugh over that comment. The medical demo was impressive what I saw of it. We had to leave it to get some food as I am on meds for an extracted tooth. The German aid station surgeon was very convincing treating a stomach wound with his nurse assisting. It was a real “You Are There” moment. Treatment of this type of wound would not even be tried by a Civil War surgeon. Of course medicine had come a long way by WWII.
Jim Barnes will have a different combat report this time for the defenders of Mother Russia. This time his comrades did not die gloriously for the Motherland. This time the SS died gloriously for the Fatherland one being executed with his own Luger off behind a building at the end of the scenario. Very dramatic in showing the hatred for these elite troops among the Russian Army. That made Byrdie a lot happier after the apparent American defeat in the ambush attack.
All in all it was a great experience and we appreciated the dedication to history education the WWII units present showed. With so much being dummied down in the school systems we need dedicated reenactors and living history groups who care enough to take up the slack so our history is not forgotten and wonderful places like Old Bedford Village to provide a venue for these educational events. It is all our wishes that the greedy politicians after the land the village occupies are defeated soundly.
Nick Korolev
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