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 up as tributaries 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 deal the crossing the a small landscape one hundred thousand people were killed while they were trying to escape the surrounding enemy. i witnesses 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 canned is 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. to ensure 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 but after six months i started walking slowly recovering. the one i 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 knows me he restored it i did it in a movie star decided i needed a uniform to match. started. by

the campground in. historical reactors from a soviet afghan war paratroopers are 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 from going to finish it reenacting soviet union in afghanistan because well. because no one else was there were basically it's nothing political over 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 the shuttle is tight and there's little time for rest. for the most 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 the germans stand up to greet you use of the you but if you. look. 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 both relatives and friends in the hobby. 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 thanks al me living is the group here in england and we connect arounds. when they begin i think. think. tanks. 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. to his family at the camp

and goes for a practice run in the main arena together with one of his crew members. this 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 plan to conquer it in the first hours of the war however the 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 nine hundred thirty nine to forty three. using the renowned bren gun carrier armored vehicles. and 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. that. 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 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. to drive a swath of it every few hours to meet the shuttle and arrive in time for the meeting in the old sanctioned town of torgau. here on april twenty fifth one thousand nine hundred five soviet an american troops met and embraced each other as brothers. this a ventilator became known as. history's 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. next to history but also keep the soul of a common world war two soldier alive. the russian isn't coming to the un peace should be handed throughout the year the division has been working on the restoration of two soviet era vehicles into a motorcycle and their pride and joy the famous. 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 . as a copy of the full model double a we're taking this to great britain on purpose there's no such cause. 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 the 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 enjoying music. this marquee 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. 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 and the jazz swing and music came out of her depression. and the world now there's a lot of you know economic problems so maybe people are looking for the same sort of. 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 mud showed up 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 damita has to use his old terrain vehicle as a last resort. with its help they drive into the water logged field where the travelers face another challenge they're setting up me tense. 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 to 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. mission free accreditation

free zones for judges free. range humans free risk free studio tied free. download free broadcast quality video for your media projects and free media dog hearty dot com. sometimes you see a story and it seems so you think you understand it and then you glimpse something else you hear or see some other part of it and realized everything you thought. i'm tom harpur welcome to the big picture. first. few.

the war and peace show in kent england is in full swing russian military react as have even brought about the like aaron to accordions to entertain the troops. with the first call to the famous beatles song people begin to gather around the teeth of the full tank a rumor that the russians had brought a ballet company to spread around the camp. of the war and peace sure there's always somebody taking pictures or video of what's going on they may use modern cell phones 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 a year after thorough preparations they come here to fulfill their childhood dreams

and take on the role of the proud tank driver or a brave paratrooper for a week. whatever their age. old ways but that's always. i don't but. from the division decides to play 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 say yes 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 bennett's everything becomes clear without words. no no no no. i did not reach you too 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 too elaine. thank you for your service. but. there were 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 rain so when the guys reconstruct the events of that time it's go fascinating and very worthwhile. living conditions of 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. here they are

the history of the first squadron of the british army they took part in the famous operation of september nine hundred forty four when more than fifteen thousand 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. division of the.

is not just a uniform probably handling weapons correctly or even adopting the spirit of a soldier it is. the memory of soldiers who never returned from war. of their british colleagues a multinational team of reactors arrived at the memorial at holy trinity church pack and. shout. as we. age shall not weary their nor their years. at the going down of the sun and. we will remember. that.

begins according to the national preferences of each participant the french wine and hang out with women the british make tea. 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 reenacts german life for the front line but also to have a knowledge of how to handle equipment applied to this is why commander neil robinson is especially hard on recruits who are at the show for the first time

these things are 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 lose his former enemy better meyer technique that his son now continues to 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 or somehow we have right wing far right off on 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 on terrible things war in itself is a crime against humanity and it is monsoon always to forget. the sacrifices that were made by people in all human forms in walk. just looks at the movies the movies the americans won the war. with the russian people.

seventy five percent almost all. 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 the enemy you know. you have the phailin. food. and you don't want to approach it's a uniform effort they said with us in the army when you're so low you do not salute a person. and that's what we're then 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 democrat units. this battle around his huge interest even comrade stalin joins neil collins 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 the enemy was sending large numbers of infantry troops and tanks to take back the town. 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 germany units flooded in then all of a sudden the sound of bagpipes rang 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. six 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. played through the whole battle. because they thought he was.

scottish bagpipe still retain their place as a weapon that can change the course of combat. eyes. of all the last night before the war and peace show comes to a close members of the british team reenacting the second. decide to give their russian friends from real surprise they've translated the famous wartime song 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.

the war.

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