by Author | August 10th, 2010
Spent a great weekend at Rowsley South Station near Matlock in Derbyshire visiting a 4o’s re-enactment exhibition. Much of what was on offer was World War Two focussed but there were all kinds of other, very novel and very nostalgic attractions too. Much of the clothing and household goods on show reminded me of my grandmother’s house (which incidently features in the final battle in Seelowe Nord! She lived in Church Fenton where the Germans come to grief in the novel.) Lots of very interesting military stuff though which is why I went along. Although the German re-enactors were late war SS Adolf Hitler Leibstandarte, much of the weaponry and equipment was the same as used by the Germans in the early part of the war. The display of British weaponry was excellent, with the Vickers machine gun and early pattern Bren Guns being a particular pleasure to get hold of.
The atmosphere was great and really got my creative juices flowing as I plough on with the prequel to Seelowe Nord. Definately think I will attend another of these events as there is just so much to see. My only regret is that on the morning I left to go there I managed to misplace my camera so have no photographs to post which is a real shame – I will be much more organised next time! Working on another battle map which I will hopefully get posted in the next fortnight, showing another section of the action from the novel.
