Worcester Re-enactors

The WWII Living History Association was formed in 1978 when several small groups of military vehicle and uniform collectors decided to work together in putting their collections to practical use. Our staging of the first large scale WWII battle display in the UK brought forward a large number of similarly minded enthusiasts as thus WWII re-enactment became firmly established alongside other periods in our history, such as the English Civil War.

Having recruited "troops" the next sep was to decide which units of the three nationalities (British, German & American) should be formed and then to put together the corre3ct uniforms and equipment for each. The units portrayed have been selected on the basis of their actual involvement in the Northwest Europe campaign of 1943-1945. Each nationality is represented by infantry, airborne and, more recently, armoured and medical units. All WWII LHA units are uniformed and equipped exactly as they would have been at the time, resulting in some of the most historically correct and authentic groups from that period in the world today.

From the very beginning the watchword has been authenticity: uniforms and equipment are only a small part of the story and, in order to look and act like the real thin, proper training is essential. With the kind and enthusiastic assistance of actual WWII veterans of both sides, authentic drill, tactics and weapons handling have been mastered, together with those little details which never appear in the manuals but which every solder knows!

Regular weekend exercises provide our members with the opportunity to experience life as a WWII frontline soldier - everything from digging foxholes to fighting patrols against an aggressive enemy.

Throughout the summer season the Association appears at various high profile military-themed events. This normally takes the form of "Living History" displays by each unit, giving the public a chance to get up close and ask any questions they might have about the period before topping the bill with an all-action battle in the main arena as a truly spectacular climax to the day's events.

Upon joining the Association, each new member chooses the unit to which he or she wishes to be posted, and from that point on their new unit will provide them will all he or she needs to know in order to equip themselves to the required high standard.

The unit commander will oversee all training and safety issues and introduce them to their new comrades. Each unit works as a close-knit team and soon develops a spirit of military style comradeship to be found nowhere else in civilian life!

Each new member also receives regular copies of the Association bulletin "Dispatches" via e-mail as well as regular communication from their chosen unit. Published every month, each bulleting gives details of future events and other important information. this is followed by a glossy review in magazine format issued at the end of each year.

Each unit also undertakes regular field trips, often, in the case of Allied units, in uniform to the major European battlefields; these are usually arranged for the same time of year as the original battle took place (Normandy in June; Arnhem in September; the Ardennes in December or January and so on). These trips are often combined with official commemorations and in tandem with the veterans own schedule of events.

The Living History Association is very conscious of it's responsibilities towards the real life units the members seek to portray and remain respectful of the sacrifice made by servicemen form both sides. To this end the association makes an annual donation to ex-servicemen's charities and over the years several of LHA's units have developed strong links with their appropriate "parent" unit.

See www.ww2lha.com for more information.

~ text taken from WWII LHA pamphlet

50th Field Hospital  

The 50th Field Hospital is an attached unit of D Company, 505 PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, WWII LHA UK.

We portray members of the Army Nursing Corps detachment of the actual Field Hospital that was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division during the Holland and Bulge campaigns. With an extremely high level of authenticity, we are able to show what life was like in the ETO for the average American Servicewoman.

Our field displays consist of a forward field hospital situated just behind the lines, able to deal with incoming combat casualties. The Field Hospital was the next stop for all wounded after being evacuated from forward Aid Stations. From there, after treatment, the injured combat troops could then be forwarded to the Army's General Hospitals many miles to the rear and as far away as England.

We actively seek members from women who are interested in this period and are keen to show that women played an extremely important part in the winning of WWII.

If you would like to sign up for this very rewarding experience just contact Captain Nadine Willis


Image copyright N. Willis