Description: Join us for the raising of the Storm Flag, signifying the beginning of D-Day Conneaut 2011. Public is welcome, but please note that encampments do not open till 12:00 noon.

 

Description: New this year for all reenactors.  Come join our honored guests and hear their personal stories of their service.  Be a part of this unique question and answer session and get the opportunity to shake the hands of these heroic individuals. For more information on this event or if you are a Vet interested in participating, please contact Eric Montgomery.

Speaking this year, among many others, will be 88 year old Jack Read of Dubois, PA. Jack was a "Motor Mach" on a "CG-43" and part of the Matchbox Fleet in Operation Overlord. (More information on Jack found here).

Note:  This event is open only to Reenactors, Veterans, and their families please.

 

Description: Welcome one and all to this year's event. Be sure to pick up an up-to-date schedule of all our events as many things are new for 2011. Our PX-Store tent has unique D-Day items for sale. All sales support this fine event.

Description: Come to the North end of the parade field and watch as the Garrison Colors are raised in ceremony.

Description: Stop by the German camp and see a live demonstration of some of the weapons used by the Germans in 1944.

Description: View light infantry attack tactics used by the Airborne infantry men when they dropped into France in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944.

Description: Watch Allied soldiers rehearse assault training and tactical methods used to disembark from landing crafts on D-Day.

Description: Aerial display of WWII aircraft acrobatics featuring the T-51; 3/4 scale replica of the famous P-51 Mustang produced by Titan Aircraft.

Description: German vehicles and Truppen pass in review.

Description: For security, all encampments are closed to the public during the Road to Victory Battle.

An airman, lost after jumping from his crippled plane, is pursued by German soldiers outside the town of Foucarville. Fortunately, the crash was witnessed by members of local French Resistance cells and a party has been sent to rescue the airman. Prior to the invasion of Normandy, French Resistance members rescued hundreds of downed Allied airmen. After a brisk fire fight, the airman and his rescuers escape into the nearby woods. The rescue and firefight occur at twilight on June 5, 1944.

The German soldiers take up their positions as sentinels outside Foucarville. Time passes and soon it is after 3 AM on June 6, 1944.

In the fields outside of the town, Allied airborne soldiers land and begin to seek out their fellow soldiers using children’s’ “crickets” . Soldiers of the 101st Airborne link up under the command of Captain Cleveland Fitzgerald and organize an attack on their objective, the town of Foucarville. This town is a major crossroad beyond Utah Beach and its capture is critical to the success of the landings. The subsequent action is the first engagement of the invasion of Normandy….

Through the night all over the northern coast of France, groups of Airborne soldiers link up and proceed upon their objectives—to cut off major intersections and hold cross roads leading from the beaches so that the landing troops could mobilize inland. Some soldiers don't locate their companies until next day as, during the drop, they are scattered across the drop zone and into adjacent areas. The Airborne portion of the campaign also spread confusion to mislead the German command. The widespread attack, and the use of paradummies (Ruperts) made the initial Allied attack from the air seemed larger and made the Germans think they were being attacked across a wide front. German Command had difficulty mobilizing successful counter attacks because of this mistaken understanding of the breath of the attack.

Description: The American Legion has canceled their Steak Fry fund raiser. Food venders will remain open later. The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, just across the street from the park, will also be holding a great Lake Erie Perch Dinner event.  Just a 5 minute stroll from all camps.

Description:  This year's American Legion movie will be "Saving Private Ryan" and is free for all attending the steak fry.

Description: Opening Ceremonies of D-Day Conneaut 2011- 1st formation of Allied Forces and the raising of the US flag.

Description: All encampments and displays are open to the public. Please visit the different encampments and exhibits. Our reenactors are eager to meet and talk with you..

Description: Get your tickets for this year's D-Day Chinese Auction. Proceeds to help us to continue to put on this wonderful tribute to our veterans. Auction drawing will take place at 4:30 PM

Description: Brought to you by the Ashtabula Master Gardeners, the victory garden exhibit explains the WWII government program to encourage Americans to grow food locally. This program helped to increase food supplies and saved valuable fuel and transportation space that was needed by the war industry.

Description: Final review by Allied Commanders before the fateful launch of Operation Overlord - the invasion of the coast of Normandy France.

Description: Final meeting by the French resistance prior to the arrival of the invasion forces. Resistance fighters review of diversionary tactics, sabotage, and methods to disrupt vital communication channels used by the Germans.

Description: Children 13 and under (accompanied by parent) come together and recreate and reenact the battle for Omaha beach. While this takes place, vets, parents and reenactors are there to guide the children and answer question. It is a wonderful learning experience. Visiting the sand box (volleyball sandpit) behind the Beach Battalion Bunker.

See pictures of last year's event and more information here.

Description: Prior to the invasion of the beaches of Normandy, extensive reconnaissance was done of the terrain. Detailed "sand table" miniature models (sand tables) were produced with as much detail as possible for the troops. Men were encouraged to study these maps in earnest so that they could easily get and keep their bearing once on shore without having to pull out a map in the heat of the battle.

Description: Late in 1943, in response to the build up of Allied troops in Great Brittan, Hitler issued Directive 51 which called for the strengthening of the defenses on the "Atlantic Wall". Come take a tour of our section of the wall and inspect the German fortifications.

Description: Before departing England for the invasion, troops were issued a new uniform and weapon. Come learn about what was so special about these uniforms and the equipment they carried into battle.

Description: Join us for our 3rd annual "Bridge Battle", featuring French Resistance, Allied Airborne, and Axis soldiers. 

The Battle for La Fiere Stone Bridge

Early on June 6, 1944, members of the French Resistance in Normandy are carrying out plans to disrupt German communications and movement prior to the Allied invasion. A team of Resistance fighters are busy cutting communication wires near a German outpost Cauquigny, a small inland village linked to St. Mere Eglise by the La Fiere Bridge and causeway. At the same time, a team of Resistance members are desperately searching for the aircrew of a downed C-47 that had dropped Airborne troops earlier that morning.

A member of the crew emerges from the woods and begins to make his way up a creek bed, trying to stay out of slight of German sentinels guarding the causeway leading between Cauquigny and St. Mere Eglise. As the French Resistance spots him, the German guards also notice the airman and begin to fire upon him. French partisans return fire from the woods and provide the airman covering fire to escape from the Germans.

The Germans, having lost their quarry, reinforce their position on the causeway. Fragmented and confused reports throughout the night and early morning indicate the region is under a broad attack. The guards and reinforcements are nervous but confident they can hold their position.

Soon, a party of Allied Airborne solders approach under the cover of the predawn and make their way toward the causeway and bridge. Their objective is to take the bridge and advance up the causeway to link up with General Gavin’s force after it has crossed the Mederet. The small company of Airborne attack the 50-man garrison at the bridge. Although the Airborne company forces the Germans off the bridge, it doesn’t have sufficient numbers to advance up the causeway and anxiously awaits reinforcements so that it can accomplish its objective….

Please plan on arriving a few minutes early to get a good viewing spot. Note: To ensure the safety of spectators and participants access to certain viewing areas will be limited once the show begins.

Description: New for 2011, WWII veterans recount their experiences and personal stories of their wartime service.

Description: Reenactos describe the equipment, training, and objectives of the 5th Rangers and their role when the Battalion came ashore on D-Day.

Description: The roles of the Commonwealth troops on D-Day are discussed by reenactors portraying Commonwealth soldiers.

Description: Everything, including the way the landing crafts were loaded, had an order and purpose. This demonstration covers how the landing crafts were loaded, specifically, the teams of men that went aboard and the equipment they carried into battle.

Description: German commander Rommel believed that the only way to beat the Allies was to contain the pending invasion to the beaches. If the Germans let them off the beaches all would be lost. This demonstration covers the weapons used by the Germans in their defense of the coast and throughout the war.

Description: Join us for the singing of our National Anthem.

Description: Allied troops form up for loading into the transports. Once assembled, Allied troops will perform a "Pass in Review" for our veterans on their way to the embarkation zone.

Description: A historical narrated account of the preparations for the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 and description of what will take place during the recreated landings.

Description: Join us once again for the recreated battle for the beaches of Normandy. Watch as hundreds of Allied Troops land to attack the German fortifications of the "Atlantic Wall". Allied soldiers supported by United States Army Air Force Fighters, fight their way through explosions, barb-wire, mine fields and machine gun fire on their quest to take the German fortifications.

Description: A postmortem with Allied commanders once the beachhead has been secured by the invasion force.

Description: All good things must come to an end. The D-Day in miniature display will come to a closes at 4:40 PM.

Description: All good things must come to an end. All D-Day encampments and displays will close to the public at 5:00 PM.

Description: Started in 1941, with a challenge by President Roosevelt for US Service Organizations including the Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board to provide a means of  emotional support for troops at home and abroad. USO shows typically included comedians, actress and actors and numerous famous musicians of the day.

Come join us in our final event of D-Day Conneaut 2011-- our USO Salute and dance complete with a fabulous live "Big Band". You'll never know who you'll see.  Open to the public. 1940s dress is encouraged. Reenactors are free and there is a small $5.00 admission fee