Stow WWII re-enactment brings history to life

Stow WWII re-enactment brings history to life - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

STOW —
Gunfire and airplanes filled the skies yesterday as paratroopers from the German Wehrmacht were able to hold back Allied troops in a battle for a vital airfield - but for how long?

Yesterday's skirmish did not take place on a battlefield in Germany, but instead in Stow, as the Collings Foundation re-enacted the first part of The Battle for the Airfield as part of the foundation's Experience Living History! initiative this weekend.

Despite an early onslaught from the Allied forces, who shot down a German Stuka dive bomber, the German troops were able to destroy two Allied tanks and eventually force the Allies to retreat.

The Battle for the Airfield was set in early 1945, after German forces took over a small grass airstrip a short distance from an Allied camp. The Allies needed to take control of the airfield to fly in much-needed supplies.
Allied forces got news of the airstrip after an undercover French Resistance fighter met with the Allies and showed them the exact coordinates of the German encampment.

The foundation will re-enact the second half of the battle today at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. In addition to the battle, the foundation's collection of memorabilia will be on display from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1979 with a focus on the creation and promotion of living history events. The primary focus of the foundation since the mid-1980s has been the flying and display of historic aircraft at events around the country, according to its Web site.

Hunter Chaney, spokesman for the Collings Foundation and member of the Allied troops, said the foundation holds re-enactments to teach people about the sacrifices troops have made.

"The purpose is to offer a tactical and memorable history lesson," said Chaney. "We want to educate people about history and heritage through direct participation and experience something they will not forget. You may have learned about historical events in the classroom, but most people understand it better by experiencing it."

"We feel people can understand it and learn more about it if they can experience and feel a battle," said Bob Collings, founder of the Collings Foundation.

While Chaney said the foundation does not condone war, he said it is important for people to experience the troops' sacrifices.

"We want to give a better appreciation of what it takes to go to war," said Chaney.

About 75 re-enactors came dressed in authentic World War II attire and the re-enactment featured an authentic Fiesler Storch Renaissance plane, a German 88mm flak cannon, a U.S. Avenger torpedo bomber, a fully restored U.S. M-16 halftrack and a replica German Stuka dive bomber, all owned by the foundation.

"I'm here for the history of it all," said Franklin resident Joe Marcus, a member of the German forces.

Gardner resident John Pyne, also a member of the German forces, said he participated in the re-enactment to play a role in the German army.
"You've got to have bad guys," he said. "The Allies need someone to shoot at."

Chaney said he expected a few thousand people to attend the event this weekend. Jeff Greene of Natick said he brought his two sons Ben, 8, and Finn, 4, to the re-enactment to teach them about the history of World War II.

"I thought it was a great show," said Greene. "The foundation does a nice job of preserving history. It is important for everyone to remember the sacrifices of the soldiers involved in these battles."

Ben Greene said his favorite part of the battle was when the Allied forces began their attack against the Germans.

"It was awesome," he said. "That was the part that had the most action."

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German soldiers on motorcyles ride by spectators before the start of a World War II reenactment at the Collings Foundation in Stow Saturday. The reenactment involved US Army tanks and infantry attacking a German held airfield. The "living history" event continues on Sunday.
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