On behalf of the
D-Day Ohio, Inc.,
we welcome you to join us for "D-Day Conneaut" our annual recreation of June 6th 1944.
Quickly becoming America's premier living history events, this free to the public event is highly realistic and educational reenactment of the WWII European Theater of Operations and D-Day Normandy invasion.
Since 1999, this re-creation of the events surrounding the allied landings on the coast of Normandy, France has thrilled thousands of spectators. The event occurs within the beautifully kept grounds of Conneaut Township Park, in Conneaut, Ohio. Hundreds of re-enactors from across the United States and Canada assemble on the 250 yard long beach and sloping adjacent terrain, which closely resemble Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. Other areas of the park provide secluded venues for recreations of inland skirmishes between the occupying German soldiers, French resistance fighters, and Allied parachute and Glider infantry.
Spectators have an excellent and unobstructed view of the battlefield. Encampments of Allied and Axis units provide spectators the entire 1940's military experience. Sea side, home life, and camp life of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who participated in the actual landings are realistically recreated with original equipment, uniforms and vehicles. If your new to D-Day Conneaut, click our First Timers link for some guidance and suggestions.
Our Mission: Memento Sempre
Our mission is to educate the public about the sacrifice of those who fought and those who died on the beaches of Normandy, June 6, 1944 and to encourage remembrance, honor, and respect for the soldiers of the Allied and Axis armies of World War II.
Our Vision
It is the purpose of D-Day Ohio, Inc. to faithfully preserve the events of June 6, 1944 by annually sponsoring "D-day Conneaut". The event commemorates the World War II battle that occurred on the Normandy coast in early June of 1944 between the Allied and Axis armies.
D-day Conneaut is a cultural and historical reenactment of the
WWII era with great attention being given to participant authenticity so
we can create a living history of
WWII. Beyond the reenactment of the beach attacks by WWII
re-enactors, an encampment of both Allied and Axis troops
will be held to share the daily life of the soldiers of both
armies. Through the encampments, battle reenactments, lectures,
displays and tours, the public gains an
understanding of the events that occurred
prior to June 6, 1944, and the sacrifices made during and after the invasion.
Special recognition is given to all U.S. veterans, particularly
those who served in WWII. Profits from the event will be
dedicated to the continuance of the event in future years.
Our History
D-Day Conneaut began in 1999 when a small group of reenactors set out to "relive the day" of the Normandy invasion the beach at Conneaut Park. Initially, this was not a public event, though park visitors had the opportunity to watch the reenactment from the bluff overlooking the beach.
In 2007, D-Day Ohio, Inc. incorporated and the all volunteer staff began it's quest to make D-Dau Conneaut the largest and most historically accurate D-Day Living History Reenactment in the country. Recently, the event had drawn 400 reenactors from the US and Canada toparticipate in the various living history activities and more than 6,000 spectators attend during the two day event.
2009
In 2009 the D-Day Conneaut expanded the program to a Friday
evening of musical entertainment and added a morning combat
scenario at a vintage stone
bridge located inside the park. This engagement featured
Axis inland forces pitted against Allied airborne. In
support of the Allies were operatives of the French
resistance. Following the battle, evacuations of simulated
wounded were taken to a field hospital located on the parade
ground. With the addition of the inland elements, D-Day
Conneaut became an overview of "Operation Overlord", the
code name for the entire Normandy operation.
2009 also marked the the first appearance of a WWII LCVP
landing craft aka a Higgins Boat during the beach invasion
battle.
2010
In 2010, Friday noon opened the program and the day ended
with a new The Road to Victory
battle. Saturday, as in previous years, the day kicked off
at 9 AM and later in the day the amphibious beach battle
reenactment featured 3 LCVP's, airplanes and plenty of
action.
The reenactment extends into Saturday evening culminating in
a 1940's
USO style show
and dance which features a live "Big Band" orchestra.
In support of the D-Day event, the businesses and cultural
centers of the City of Conneaut added programming as well.
The 2010 event was highlighted by a record number of
reenactor participation.
This year, great strides are being made to bring as many WWII Veterans to D-Day Conneaut as possible. As individual units close their national reunions, we hope that those still able to travel will choose to make D-Day Conneaut their reunion central.
We welcome all our former swabbys, dog faces, leathernecks, wingnuts, cunnuckers, Rosie the Riveters, Waac's, Waves, Wasps and all others of the Greatest Generation to reunite in Conneaut as we celebrate, honor and relive their history. If you are a veteran or the family of a veteran, we urge you to contact Eric Montgomery who is heading up this effort.
Through the generous support private contributors, reenactors assemble together to form the amphibious arm of the seaborne landing. A combination of Allied troops representing Britain, Canada, Poland, France and the United States arrive on landing craft similar to those used during D-Day. They are supported by replicas of period aircraft flying overhead compliments of Titan Aircraft. Together, they form the assault force to simulate an attack upon the elevated Axis troop emplacements overlooking the beach; just as it was on the morning of June 6th 1944.
D-Day Ohio also gratefully acknowledges the contributions and support of our government partners including Conneaut Township Park, the City of Conneaut, Ashtabula County, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the federalk Aviation Administration.
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and by it's respective contributors. All
Rights Reserved.
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