St. Petersburg annual airshow Airfest, a Salute to the Military had an exciting new addition to its lineup this year, an authentic World War II battle re-enactment courtesy of Stuart's Road to Victory Military Museum. The WWII battle re-enactment organized, by Col. Michael Roberts and Lt. Col. Steve 'Doc' Jones from the Road to Victory Military Museum, featured a handmade set, resembling a bombed out French chateau. A combinations of smoke and sound explosion devices, multiple vehicles and artifacts from the museum's collection, and a couple dozen WWII re-enactors from across the state. Airfest a Salute to the Military took place Saturday October 20 and Sunday October 21 at the historic Albert Whitted Field St Petersburg Florida.
A group of Stuart volunteers worked for several weekends building the set and preparing the effects. Several days before the airshow took place they carefully packed all the pieces and vehicles and travelled in a long convoy of trucks and trailers to St Petersburg. "It took a lot of research and teamwork to make this happen. 'Doc' Jones researched how the set should look, volunteers from Special Forces Restoration and Construction helped build the bunker and other elements of the set, Doug Davis helped prepare and set the special effects and the re-enactors (from all over Florida) brought it to life." Said 'Doc' Jones of Road to Victory Military Museum.
The narrative below set the scene for the battle re-enactment (as written by Jones), which emulated one of the thousands of small unit actions required by the American army during its wartime offensive in the autumn of 1944, fighting to regain France and ultimately tightening the noose on the German Reich.
In August 1944, the Allied Armies broke out of Normandy and chased the retreating Germans headlong across France. By mid-September, the Germans were creating a new Main Line of Resistance along the river systems in Eastern France. The Allies had to use all the tools at their disposal to confront the German's stiffening defenses, and continue their drive to Germany. One of the key tools in the infantry's arsenal was close coordination with the Army Air Corps in support of ground operations. The Army Air Corps P-51 and P-47 fighter bombers, flying out of fields in Normandy, had come to the aid of the infantry, saving needless casualties in the elimination of German strong points. The Air Corps pilots were as much appreciated by Allied infantry and armor as they were feared by the Germans.
Occasionally, a downed pilot might parachute safely to the ground, but he was not always lucky enough to land in friendly territory. If the location of the downed pilot could be ascertained by his wingman, a request went out to nearby Allied units to secure the pilot's safety. The battle re-enactment depicted the rescue of a downed pilot from the 362 nd Fighter Group, captured by the Germans near one of the strong points along the German Main Line of Resistance. Once informed of the pilots' general location, the infantry and armored reconnaissance ground forces, grateful for the courageous work of these pilots, were more than happy to go to the rescue. The pilot role for the battle re-enactment was performed by Andrew Gudeman from West Palm Beach and Freddie Cabanas of Key West flew the P51 'Luscious Lisa'.
The re-enactment was a tremendous success ending with the crowds cheering wildly when Pilot, 1st Lt. A.M. Gudeman, 362nd Fighter Group was liberated by the Allies.
Road to Victory Military Museum is a not for profit 501 C3 museum from Stuart Florida whose mission is to honor and pay tribute to all the brave men and women who have served and are presently serving our country in the armed forces doing so by the displaying of military vehicles, historical artifacts, uniforms, militaria and photographs. The museum on occasion, can be found directing WWII battle re-enactments for the purpose of education and interacting with new audiences.