Popular 1940s weekend comes to Portland
Event promises an 'immersive wartime experience' for all the family
The popular 1940s weekend returns to Castletown in Portland this weekend.
The joint event, organised by the Castletown D-Day Centre and Portland Castle, promises an immersive wartime experience for all the family. It will take place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October.
Spread across both the D-Day Centre and Portland Castle, the weekend celebrates the vital role Castletown played as a major embarkation point during preparations for the D-Day landings.
This included the establishment of a US Army Field Hospital and the training and deployment of the US 1st Division destined for Omaha Beach.
The D-Day Centre’s very own team of living history volunteers will be joined by local re-enactment groups, including the German 86th Pioneer Battalion and “Ham & Jam” 6 Airbourne Division.
Exhibitions, entertainment, stalls, weapon displays, and vehicles are all to add to the true-to-life 1940s experience.
The event also offers visitors a chance to see authentic military vehicles in action, such as a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck used by the U.S. military and a 1940s Dodge ambulance.
Curator at Castletown D-Day Centre, Chris Webb said:
“The event is a celebration of Castletown’s incredible wartime history told through immersive re-enactment, which is really what the D-Day Centre is all about.
"We are proud to yet again be partnering with the English Heritage team at Portland Castle to bring this unique day out to Portland.”
Castletown D-Day Centre offers a unique, hands-on experience of World War II history. Modelled on a wartime dockyard, visitors are invited to take in the sights and sounds of Castletown during the 1940s.
Visitors are also encouraged to handle equipment, climb into vehicles and even dress up in authentic uniforms. The Centre features an impressive array of authentic World War II artefacts including a Bofor 40mm gun, 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.
There is no charge for people visiting Castletown however, entry fees into the D-Day Centre and Portland Castle apply.