Great War Association Fall Event – 2010 pt.1

December 8, 2010 - 1 Comment

by Jim Barnes

The following is a report on the Great War Association WWI event from correspondent, Matt Gillespie:

My New Favorite Hobby

Newville, PA- My son and I attended our first WW1 event at the Great War Association, at the Caesar Kraus property near Newville, PA. We found the 88 acres of PA rolling hills adorned with bunkers, shell holes, trenches, a training area, a Salvation Army station, and more. It was as close as anyone could come to recreating a WW1 battlefield. We found our unit; 80th Div. 318th Inf. Co. F. We found our fellow reenactors welcoming, friendly and easy to be around. Conversation was great and several new friends were made. We had little time to spend on Saturday and had to end our enjoyment earlier than we would have liked.

We attended a safety briefing with all reenactors present, from all the nations represented; German, English, Scotch, Canadian, French, Russian, Austrian, Italian and of course the United States of America. While there, we were informed the 88 acres would be paid off before our next reenactment in April. We went to our trench line and settled in. Here we learned more about the hobby and talked a lot of history.

We didn’t wait long before we were attacked by Germans. The sight of smoke and the report of rifles filled the air. Four of us were soon sent to clear the trenches of any remaining Germans. I found myself serving as a hand bomber. It was exciting, but at the same time, it gave me an appreciation for those who drew such duties nearly 100 years ago. We also found ourselves being strafed by WW1 fighter aircraft.

Nathan and I were sent on a water detail. When we returned we soon found ourselves supporting a French attack. In the afternoon, we attended training. The training was on assaulting an enemy trench at night and crossing barbed wire. Soon thereafter we had to leave due to obligations. We left good company and knowing we would have to return and experience more of this peculiar hobby.