Welcome back to the second part of the car show. I finished the last post (part 1), by saying there was a second hut, this one had a monstrous looking gun outside.
Inside were more mock ups of workshops, bunks and medical areas from the war, along with some displays of equipment and some empty ammunition shells.
There was section dedicated to the medical corp. which was represented by a lovely guy called Dan.
Dan took time out to explain to me the guns and the rounds they fired. He was standing next to central table with lots of weapons standing up on end for display. He even let me hold the big Bren (light) machine gun, top right below. Let me tell you there is nothing light about it. It was awkward to hold as one hand had to be underneath quite far forward of the magazine as the empty cases were ejected from the bottom. I can only image what it must have been like to be cold, wet, being shot at, tired, hungry and then lug this monstrous gun about! Thanks to Dan for his time and sharing the wealth of knowledge.
Outside the cars were pretty much all in place now and the turn out was looking very good.
I had parked by a memorial which had plenty of plaques dedicated to the fallen crews and airmen.
The cars were scattered around beside the tower;
Around the back of the tower there was a nice selection of cars.
Around the other side of the tower there was more displayed equipment outside.
Full circle again to back out the front of the tower there were some tents were the dressed up[ army guys were staying.
Just behind the tents was a another more modern hut, through the door and turn right takes you to the tearoom.
Turn right through the main door you walk into a ‘members only library’ leading onto an office.
The office where time had stood still.
After such an interesting walk around I wandered back to the car, all of about thirty seconds and got my chair out to have something to eat and watch the world walk by.
Around two there was a training exercise where the German army guys walked through the courtyard to the fields. They had two groups where one group fired (blanks) cover rounds while the others moved up, then they swapped making their way across the field.
Once they had finished they spend some time in the bushes doing what ever they do. I sat back down and listened to the haunting and intimidating sound of a dozen German soldiers with their hob nailed boots on marching back to their trench and tents.
I tried to imagine what it must have sounded like with a whole platoon marching down a road, it must have put the fear of God into many.
It was a great day, nice weather and great to catch up with friends again. The question was; did I use the sun cream? No, but I did put a fleece jacket on even though the sun was out. The wind chill was whipping around the open spaces, but it was refreshing to be in the open and in the sun at the same time.
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