The Review only contains a very small selection of photos that were taken on the day
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Vehicles of all shapes, sizes and eras were spread across two fields. There were rows of traders selling everything from vehicles spares and military uniforms, to books, models and various craft and sweet stalls. Living History re-enactors are playing an increasing part in events these days which is an excellent way of keeping events fresh in our memories, especially as far as children are concerned. There is no better way of learning the reality of world events than to experience things first hand from those who make such an effort to recreate things accurately. This extends to the Battle Re-enactment which takes place each day in the main arena.

Being at a new venue enabled the organisers to provide a dedicated field for the Living History Groups. These groups had gone to a lot of trouble with their set ups with slit trenches, working radio stations and representatives very willing to talk about the period they were depicting. Eras ranged from the first World War, thorough various stages of World War II – special mention must be given to the Second Battle Group who included wrecked buildings, German half-track and replica Panzer III (in fact based on a heavily modified FV432) and to the Red Ball Express with their array of US vehicles of every shape and size including the cook wagon. It was appropriate in this anniversary year of the Korean War that this conflict should be represented. There was also the chance to view the rarely seen French marked vehicles and the LRDG brought things up to date with their desert vehicles.

The main Vehicle Field (Vehicle field 1) contained the majority of the vehicles. Highlights included a nice array of Axis vehicles including Staff Cars, Kettenkrad, Stoever, various motorcycles and bicycles. Large and small they were all here from the ubiquitous Jeep – including no less than three in NAS colours – Land Rovers of all marks, a wonderfully well used Scammell Explorer and Bedford MKs. As far as this show is concerned it seems that the good old Bedford RL has all but disappeared – such a shame as this is the vehicle I remember so well from my youth in Aldershot. There were also various vehicles from ‘across the pond’ in the shape of REOs, CCKWs and Dodge Weapons Carriers. Also on show was a nice selection of Morris vehicles and three Bedford OLRs. Here also could be found the undoubted stars of the arena displays in the shape of Alvis Stalwarts Mks I & II. If there is one adverse comment to make about this field it is that some of the vehicles were parked very close together making it very difficult to actually see them properly, whereas others had plenty of space around them. Also, remembering that members of the general public don’t necessarily know a Bedford from a Morris or a Chevrolet from a Dodge, it might be nice if there was some form of identification such as using the entry pass that some vehicles displayed in their windscreens.

Beyond the Living History Field, there was a second field given over to vehicles (Vehicle Field 2). This was a much more relaxed area compared to the other vehicle field and had plenty of spare space. Here could be found a nice line-up of Land Rover Lightweights – including an innocent looking Range Rover which is in fact an ex-SAS vehicle. A very nice Ford WOT2 was also on show along with various incarnations of the Land Rover FC101. Looking somewhat out of place amongst all these collectors’ vehicles was one of the Army’s current MAN vehicles.

For many visitors, the highlight of this event are the arena displays and parades. The first of these concentrated on post WWII vehicles and included the monstrous Russian MTLB armoured personnel carrier. There were also various examples of the CVR(T) family, a couple of Ferret Scout Cars, Land Rovers and an Afghan veteran Honda Quad. Undoubted stars though were the two Alvis Stalwarts which flew through the dips and the Scammell Explorer which showed off its amazing agility to great effect.

Next up was the Battle Re-enactment featuring Allied and Axis forces in North West Europe during late 1944. Plenty of smoke and explosions, coupled with real and recreated vehicles gave the watching crowds plenty to experience. There was even a visit from General George S. Patton Jr to inspect forces of both sides. Actually, this was George Kimmins from Port Slade who is officially recognised by the Patton family.

The day finished with the parade of Allied and German World War II vehicles. Germany was represented by the Stoever with its 4-wheel steering, a couple of Kubelwagens and a Steyr pulling a PAK40 gun. From the UK were was the Morris PU8 and CS8, Humber 4x4 and the pre-war 1926 Morris Commercial D-type. Representing the US was the M5 Halftrack, NAS Oakland Jeep, Dodge WC51 Weapons Carrier and Command Car and the GMC CCKW which seemed to insist on exiting the pits from the side, just to show off what it could do!

Thus ended another excellent Overlord Show. The new venue seems to work very well and will be even better once the minor lessons from this year are ironed out. It is a shame, from this reviewer’s point of view, that there is not more heavy armour on show but what there is gives a very good cross section of this increasingly popular hobby.

My thanks to Ian Colvin, Rob Soar and all from SOE that made sure that I had good access for photography.