After a two year break due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the popular Castletown at War event is back this weekend.
Castletown at War is a joint venture organised by the Castletown D-Day Centre and the Portland Castle English Heritage team.
Over the weekend, organisers promise an immersive World War II experience for all the family, spread across both the D-Day Centre and Portland Castle.
Castletown at War is a celebration of the vital role that Castletown played as a major embarkation point during preparations for the D-Day landings; which included the setting up of a US Army field hospital and the training and deployment of the US 1st Division destined for Omaha Beach.
Re-enactment groups the 4th Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment and the German 86th Pioneer Battalion are to be joined by the D-Day Centre’s very own team of living history volunteers. Exhibitions, entertainment, World War II memorabilia stalls, weapon displays and vehicles will all add to this authentic wartime experience.
The event will also mark the first public appearance of the D-Day Centre’s newly restored DUKW, a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck used by the U.S. military. Other vehicles include a 1940s Dodge ambulance, M8 greyhound armoured car and a rare Morris 8 Series E Tourer.
Manager at Castletown D-Day Centre, John Davies (pictured below) told KeeP 106: “Castletown at War is the first event post lockdown for us and we hope that, after such a difficult time, people will come along and enjoy it. This is really a celebration of not just Castletown’s rich wartime history but the return of our events, and we are proud to partner up with the team at English Heritage yet again to put on a spectacular show.”
Castletown D-Day Centre, which opened in 2017, offers a unique, hands-on experience of World War II history. Visitors are encouraged to handle the equipment, climb into vehicles and even dress up in authentic uniforms. The centre features an impressive array of authentic World War II artefacts and vehicles, including a Bofor 40mm gun, a battle scarred Sherman tank and full-sized replica spitfire.
Portland Castle, which was used as a training base for operations including the D-Day landings, shall also be home to reenactors and displays.
Wessex Historic Household will be in attendance with police station and bombed house displays and the castle tea rooms will be serving ration bags alongside their usual array of hot drinks and food.
Portland Castle Manager, Donna Brading added: “We are proud to be putting on this event in conjunction with Castletown D-Day Centre. It’s a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the important role that the area, and Portland Castle, played in the Second World War. We hope people will dress up and enjoy the weekend. It promises to be a great day out for all the family.”
There is no charge for people visiting Castletown however, entry fees into the D-Day Centre and Portland Castle apply. For this event, visitors to both are given 15% off the ticket price of the second attraction they visit. English Heritage members can access Portland Castle free of charge.
Castletown at War will take place between 10:30am and 4:30pm on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October.
