not exactly. casualties of the conflict mt rebels reportedly shoot down an army helicopter while the government is accused of massacring over three hundred people. children in bethlehem's refugee camps from entering the west bank. of using palestinian children as human shields. and over one hundred nations not aligned with the u.s. government to look for global solutions general ban ki moon will also attend. the important gathering. and thirty minutes up next as the world of historic

reenactment meets the would be warriors taking to the battlefields of the past. in the early hours of a hot july dawn a group of unusually dressed people carefully head on to the shore of one of the knee up as tributaries there clad in servant military uniform from the days of world war two. in the summer of one nine hundred forty one on the sort of view of a crossing the. one hundred thousand people were killed while they were trying to

escape the surrounding enemy. eyewitnesses say that the river ran red with blood for several days now candles float down the river. moscow's military history club called the division has traveled here to honor the memory of fallen russian soldiers but this journey to smolensk is just the beginning now they have three thousand kilometers to cover across the european roads to take part in the legendary war in peace show in england. in the village of belching and candace the old hot fun surrounded by a huge park today it attracts collectors of military vehicles and others with an interest in reenacting great battles of the past century the thirtieth war and peace show is about to take place. during rain since the beginning of summer has turned the festival venue into a swamp. military enthusiasm began arriving long before the beginning of the show

for them not even bad weather can overshadow the event they've been waiting a whole year for one after another festivals open up offering every thing from uniform buttons to tanks. number two number two do you read me number two over there's a gas station one hundred kilometers from here is a third of a tank left do you copy i copy. there was an accident i fell off a four wheeler and broke my spine. before that i was a physician a surgeon there is suddenly i was bedridden the six months i started walking slowly recovering. but was thinking of was going to do when my friend from rostov told me that he'd restored an old soviet probated car. they also had a gas sixty nine cheap it was me he restored it i did it in a mill she star decided i need a uniform to match that's how. started. by

the campground in. historical reactors from a soviet afghan paratroopers club keenly digging away. in accordance with military protocol the soldiers are preparing shelters in case of an enemy attack the most amazing thing is not one of these soldiers speak russian these people hail from belgium britain sweden france and holland. well we're digging a trench and we're trying to dig a trench we're doing it by hand so. see how far we get and i turned for going to finish it reenacting soviet union in afghanistan because well. because no one else was there were basically it's nothing political or enough for communism or something like that it's just out of interest it was quite secret and interesting to research also quite hard if you can't read russian.

convoy left moscow with four heavily loaded cars with trailers to cross seven european countries to show you is tight and there's little time for rest. for the most the last year we had a pretty interesting trip to the war history show that. when i showed pictures taken with some s.s. officers to my friends. the ask me. how could i be friends with fascists you know you're watching but there is no ideology in it whatsoever but there's no difference between those dressed as the red army or the diocese. where you can uniforms only serve to unite people and it's very nice when you pass a german camp in a soviet uniform and a german stand to greet you yourself are you but in your school.

at the camp the festival goers are doing their chores and preparing equipment despite grim conditions many have come here together with their families trying to involve those relatives and friends in the. many years ago british police officer neil cullen bought himself an old soviet t. thirty four tank he restored it and then became a driver. for the second gulf thank me living in the group here in england then we necked around. a table. when they're big enough i think. think. tanks. kneels t. thirty four tank has been several months in a hangar to test its performance and refresh his own driving skills he goes for

a test drive. the commander leaves his family at the camp and goes for a practice run in the main arena together with one of his crew members. this place will be center stage. and a tank range to demonstrate equipment and weapons. the busy timetable of the russian reactors euro trip leaves room for only a few stops in the most important places connected with the war one of them is the best fortress on the polish border. the german command plan to conquer it in the first hours of the war. with a garrison demonstrated outstanding bravery and resilience. having found themselves behind the advancing german troops the defenders fought bitterly for nearly a month most of the metal heroes death their story became

a legend. carry our daddy up. beltran has seen the start of a training program for newcomers to the desert platoon living history group they are now meticulously reenacting scottish infantry units who fought in north africa in one thousand nine hundred eighty nine to forty three. using the renowned bren gun carrier armored vehicles. the club members but the biggest emphasis on the atmosphere in the camp and pay strict attention to the everyday life of a soldier from that time. yeah they. do want to be accurate and we do want to be serious but not over serious because we are paying respect to the people who were in the desert war we actually are

a living history group rather than a reenactment group what we do is we try and show. the public how crudes tried to live a normal life in an abnormal situation and during the war but i think the nazi uniforms i think the japanese uniforms i don't think the time is now i think when all our veterans are are away then i think yeah i don't believe that we should be doing or showing uniforms that make them suffer. germany greets the russian convoy with gloomy weather and cold rain. the driver swap over every few hours to meet the shuttle and arrive in time for the meeting in the old saxon town of tall girl. here on april twenty fifth one thousand nine hundred five soviet and american troops met and embraced each other as brothers.

this a ventilator became known as. history is full of curious paradoxes and today the descendants of russian soldiers are once again reunited with their friends at the river elbe. but this time the ones in allied uniforms the germans from a military reenactment society it's possible their own grandfathers fought on the eastern front. these men who proudly wear the uniform of the allies. the history but also keep the soul of a common world war two soldier alive. the russian isn't coming to the peace should be handed throughout the year the division has been working on the restoration of two soviet era vehicles into an army motorcycle and their pride and joy the famous gaz. this truck was often used during

wartime and now they're showing it off to all of europe. to be alive we want people to see them that's how we can commemorate those drawings them. as a copy of the full model double a we're taking this to great britain on purpose there's no such cause they're. the symbol of the second world war. three. continental europe is now behind them people standing in the queue for the ferry across the english channel can hardly believe that a bunch of mad russians has managed to make it all the way here from moscow with every minute new military vehicles arrive it's beginning to seem as though everyone in europe has put on a uniform and is heading for england. across the water is the port of dover and from there the festival site is close at hand. life in

a military camp doesn't just revolve around hardship. having left behind the battlefield many managed to find the strength to change into dress. uniform. wearing glamorous period clothing the ladies are also invited out to a night of swing enjoy music. with a dance floor is perfect as people see the same way their grandparents did. the british band to join basis kicks off. i think the music that we play on the music of the forty's is coming back now because. a lot of people find it here the young people think it's near the old

people remember it but i think also people are getting fed up of just. you know electric pop music and also somebody suggested that in the thirty's jazz swing and music came out of the depression. and the world now there's a lot of you know economical problems so maybe people are looking for the same sort of entertainment to cheer them up and that's what we try and bring some sunshine.

finally the russian convoy drives into the camp. heavily laden vehicles desperately . good through much by tanks. members of the international club of soviet paratroopers in afghanistan who rushed to help them but even their combined efforts don't help. the commander of the second army tank as they use his all terrain vehicle as a last resort. they drive into the water logged field where the travellers face another challenge they're setting up army tents. it doesn't go so well at first their fathers and grandfathers were far more adept at risk during the war but the overwhelming desire for sleep gives them a boost before sunrise the camp is finally set up and all the members of the russian reenactment group

a fast asleep. culture is that so much about the taxpayers' money materialization it has a lot of people at area managing and a horrible bastard history world facing another and more sustained food prices higher prices population growth bad weather and. me is eve. eve believe. the war and peace show in kent england is in full swing russian military be an act

of even brought about the like of and two accordions to entertain the troops. with the first call to the famous beatles song people begin to gather around the t.v. so before turning a rumor that the russians had brought a ballet company to spread around the camp. at the war and peace show there's always somebody taking pictures or video of what's going on but by use modern cellphones or even an original hand crank camera. this camp is a rare place where the combination of eccentric people and historic military hardware can be found many of those in attendance lead normal lives but once again after thorough preparations they come here to fulfill their childhood dreams can take on the role of a proud tank driver or a brave paratrooper for a week. whatever their age big boys will always want to play the toys.

i don't. know from the division decides to pay a courtesy visit to his paratrooper neighbors the retired colonel has not talked to young soldiers especially recruits from western europe for quite some time. line is that the sailor but some of the military formalities get a little lost in translation good day comrades right back oh yeah this is invincible. but when it comes to the reality of fighting with bandits everything becomes clear without words. no no no no what i did not reach you through white on the mark. turning around three i did it got it you see one attempt out of three sure to be successful i'm coming to you but i want. to. turning around three. you will not get away from me. thank you for your

service. there are different attitudes towards the events in afghanistan one thing is certain it's a bright day in the history of our army it's associated with heroism and courage of our soldiers and officers and it is worthy of reenactment so when the guys reconstruct the events of that time it's go fascinating and very worthwhile. living conditions at the main camp somewhat spartan. from the group just ordinary men have totally embraced the mood they've set up their camp in the dark and damp woods to try to recreate the water conditions as closely as possible. the history of the first squadron of the british army they took part in the famous operation of september one thousand nine hundred forty four when more than fifteen thousand

soldiers were killed or taken prisoner. in the world series just. because in holland it's very wooded surrounding. it's perfect for. the. british paratroopers are at full combat readiness very soon they'll head for the central arena to encounter the enemy a motorized division of the very marked. for . just a uniform probably. weapons correctly. the spirit of

a soldier it is. the memory of soldiers who never returned from war. british colleagues a multinational team of reactors arrived at the memorial at holy trinity church pack and. shout. as. i shall not weary their nor their years. at the going drone of the sun and. we will remember that. according to the national preferences of each participant. and hang out with. the british. drink coca-cola. while the german

camp holds a morning training session. soldiers practice the delivery of wounded soldiers to a field hospital and provide first aid to someone suffering from massive blood loss . of this unit are british. being a member of the club requires not only the ability to wear a uniform properly and we annex german life for the front line but also to have a knowledge of how to handle equipment. this is why commander neil robinson is especially hard on recruits who are at the show for the first time these things very neil himself is an enthusiastic reactor disconnect his father fought against the germans in the navy but never met them face to face just after the role his father began collecting german army memorabilia to get to lucasfilm or any better

wired technique that his son now continues the hobby. it's quite often that. people attempt to politicize people attempt to to think that the reason why we do this is because somehow we are neo nazis also how we how right wing far right off i left wing leanings these things are not true war is a terrible thing this is why it's called war not having snoozy one time terrible things happening was terrible thing war in itself is a crime against humanity and it is monsoon always to forget. the sacrifices that were made by people you know you. can walk. just looks at the movies the movies the americans won the war. the russian people. seventy five percent almost all casualties in the east and maybe it's time people recognized that maybe seventy five percent of the effort. was committed by

the recent people and not be americans. for the contemporary historically the hobby has nothing to do with ideology it blurs the boundaries between former enemies and allows people to better understand history and not to repeat the mistakes of the past however not everyone shares this

opinion but. to me. it's in your back in your mind is still the enemy you know. you have the phailin. food if. and you don't want to approach the uniform they said with me when you're so low you do not salute a person. and that's what we're there and they still got us i mean of all. how did the enemy and i really but the person is what. finally the day of the great battle comes british paratroopers will face off against vemma fifty units. this battle around his huge interest even comrade stalin joined crew to watch the encounter from his all terrain vehicle. at last

the first shots ring out. according to the battle scenario british paratroopers kicked the germans out of a small dutch town and quickly took up defensive positions. british intelligence then revealed to the enemy was sending large numbers of infantry troops and tanks to take back the town. and. to avoid unnecessary bloodshed the. negotiators to the town. or surrender. the. british paratroopers fierce fighting erupted again the best german troops launched an attack of their own. superior german. the british inflicted heavy casualties. on the strength of british troops began to fade as german units flooded in then all of a sudden the sound of. the exploding shells. paying attention to the bullets

whistling overhead and calmly walked across the battlefield. exhausted soldiers. it's possible the organizers of this show wanted to pay tribute to the. sixty nine hundred forty four. from his commander beaches of normandy. soldiers fighting on the battlefield. pointed out that this was an english regulations the. scottish. didn't apply. the brakes as he played through the whole battle. because they thought he was. seventy years old scottish bagpipe still retain their place as a weapon that can change the course of combat.

eyes. on the last night for peace show comes to a close members of the british team reenacting the second god's tank designed to give their russian friends from real surprise they've translated the famous wartime song katyusha into english and to sing it for the first time. for many years a symbol of soviet victory the song might just become an anthem for those reenacting the history of the second world.