THE largest collection of tanks and armoured vehicles since the Second World War will descend upon Dorset in 2016 on the weekend of the 18th and 19th of June in a fascinating historical recreation event called Armour and Embarkation.
A massive of tanks and armour and ‘big’ heavies will come together and form a convoy which will then drive through the lanes and towns of Dorset for an unmissable and unforgettable event. Re-enactors and vehicle owners from around Europe will don original uniforms, carry weapons and equipment that would have been taken on embarkation to give spectators a real taste of history and breathe new life into the story of D-Day and the Normandy invasion.
Dorset and the ports of Weymouth and Portland were the embarkation ports for the Big Red One and Pointe du Hoc Rangers.
“This is real time travel, it isn’t often you get to see, hear, smell and touch the past”.
Dorset was chosen for its significance as one of the major marshalling areas and embarkation counties during the build up to, and execution of, D-Day and the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Jack Beckett, organiser and founder of Armour and Embarkation said, “Every possible area – from town centres to woodland would have been filled with a myriad of armour and vehicles from the allied expeditionary force, the likes of which have never been seen since. Until now.”
“With the help of military vehicle enthusiasts the Armour & Embarkation event aims to demonstrate the true scale of the operation behind one of this country’s most important events in modern history.” The group will also be participating in the Veteran’s Weekend on Sunday 19th June by continuing their journey to Weymouth and taking part in the activities.
Their Facebook is now ‘open’ so you can follow all the updates and news. Below are a selection of images from the event which took place in 2010 and 2012. Image credits for some, Mark Barnes and Phil Royal
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