Military-historical reconstruction of the great battles. Military History Club

Military historical reconstruction has become extremely popular in Russia and abroad over the past two decades. It is known that initially she had deeper roots. The first reconstruction of important events and great battles took place in Ancient Greece and Rome. Now they decided to revive this tradition.

Event history

Military historical reconstruction was also conducted in Ancient Egypt. The organizers arranged costumed performances. The audience could see for themselves how the key battles were unfolding. Sometimes even special arenas were built for such events.

The next wave of popularity this type of representation survived in the XVII century. This time, England became the country where mass military historical reconstruction began to be massed. Here in 1620-1630 years with demonstrative drills in front of the public were units of the London militia.

And in 1687, King James II took part in the military historical reconstruction dedicated to the siege of Budapest, in which his son, the Duke Berwick, took part. The event was held outside London.

During the war with Napoleon in Hyde Park, the exercises, which allowed the public, regularly held the regiments of the British police.

In the US in the middle of the XIX century, various military units participated in demonstration trips throughout the country, which enjoyed great popularity. During such speeches, the public was shown drill tricks, worked out various elements of handling weapons, even played out scenes of their recent war with Mexico. This led to an increase in the popularity of the army among the population, and also aroused genuine interest in individual historical events.

From under the wing of the army

The principal difference between all these military-historical reconstructions of battles from modern ones is that earlier the organization was engaged directly in parts of the regular army. These days these functions have passed to enthusiasts. As a rule, these are civilians or military, who retired.

The first such speeches by the clubs of military historical reconstruction with the aim of playing the original battles and displaying certain events of history date back to the 1960s. There were such social movements almost simultaneously in the USA and England. They were engaged in applied history of civil wars.

In the first such theatrical battles participated in several dozen people on each side. They were theatrical or genuine elements of uniforms and military equipment. These days these clubs have become one of the largest military-historical clubs in the world. For example, the Civil War between federalists and confederates is played by about 15,000 soldiers who have at their disposal at least 200 guns.

The military historical movement was very popular on the eve of the festivities timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the formation of the United States. In 1976, historical clubs and individual fans of the history of the XVIII century came to America from around the world. Almost 4 thousand participants came to the celebrations. They played a series of events of the Civil War in the United States.

The glory of reconstructions quickly spread to all countries. More and more people became interested in the new passion. Began to appear clubs representing various military units: Roman legionaries, English infantrymen, Russian hussars, French musketeers and many others.

Development of military-historical clubs

If at first the costumes of the members of the military-historical clubs only remotely resembled the real equipment of the army units, then in due course the details were approached more thoroughly, studying photographs and chronicles before starting to sew the uniform.

The armament of the reenactors was also changed. In place of modern rifles, loaded with empty cartridges, and replicas came copies that fully correspond to historical analogues.

There was a whole developed industry. Historians searched for archival materials devoted to the period of interest, tailors sewed unique uniforms and costumes that had not been used for centuries, weapons masters performed the most complicated replicas of cold and firearms.

In recent years, even special companies have appeared that are engaged in the reconstruction of armored vehicles during the Second World War.

Battles and life

In addition to the battles, participants in military historical clubs recreate the army life. They often camp several days before the reconstruction and live the lives of the people of that time who recreate. Forget about mobile phones, use only those items that were available for their historical prototypes.

All the time, while the camp is broken, tourists can visit him to find out not only how they fought, but also how they lived in the old days.

The life of soldiers and officers in the field camps is recreated to the smallest detail. They carefully copy the tents, utensils, the cooking process and the menu, which was popular at that time.

Places of reconstruction

Most often, the organization of military historical reconstructions is conducted by club leaders with the support of local authorities. Reconstruction of the battles most often takes place in those places where real historical actions unfolded. This applies, for example, to a festival dedicated to the Battle of Borodino near Moscow or the battle of Lubino in the Smolensk region.

But there are exceptions. There are festivals, during which the Ardennes operation of the Second World War in the United States is conducted, and the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War in the United States is recreated in France.

The Role of Cinematography

A major role in the development of the military-historical movement throughout the world is played by the cinema. Often after the release of world premieres devoted to historical events, interest in the epoch depicted increases.

Also, the military history clubs themselves often shoot documentaries, in which they focus not only on the details of the battle, but also on the way of life of that time. Some clubs even specialize in peaceful life, not interested in battles.

Reconstruction in Russia

In Russia, interest in historical reconstruction appeared in the mid-1980s. Then the clubs actively supported the Komsomol. The main themes of military-historical reconstructions - WWII (Great Patriotic War).

In second place in popularity were the battles of the Patriotic War of 1812.

The Battle for Berlin

One of the most popular military-historical festivals last years - "Battle for Berlin." Reconstruction is devoted to the assault of the German capital by Soviet troops in 1945.

The event takes place in Moscow in late April. In the military-patriotic park of culture and recreation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Patriot, the reenactors recreate the main moments of one of the most important battles of the Great Patriotic War.

In the heart of the battles are the guests of the festival "Battle for Berlin". Reconstruction allows you to plunge into this operation of the Soviet troops. In the park, recreate the streets of real Berlin, through which tank units and monotonous vehicles pass. Sounds like a real artillery cannonade, and uncompromising airplanes unfold in the sky. You can feel at your "skin" what was the assault on Berlin. Not only amateurs of history take part in the reconstruction, but also professional stuntmen and pyrotechnics, who carefully prepare a performance in memory of the heroes of that war.

It is worth noting that the storming of Berlin played an important role in the history of the war. Reconstruction allows you to imagine how it really was.

"The Fiery Arc"

The Moscow region in general is famous for the fact that it regularly holds festivals of military historical reconstruction. "Fire arc" is held in the town of Stupino in late April - early May.

This is a very spectacular military-historical festival, in which not only a large number of reenactors take part, but also a variety of techniques. This is the German aircraft Messerschmitt, and the legendary Soviet tank T-34, and the famous gun Katyusha, horrified by German troops.

Annually about 4 thousand guests take part in the military-historical festival. Organizers take care of the organized delivery of guests for the holiday and about equipping parking spaces for those who decided to come by private car.

About 400 people take part in the reconstruction of the battle itself, as well as at least ten pieces of military equipment from the times of the Great Patriotic War, produced in the 1940s. A large number of tourists are attracted to the places where the festival is held. These are fields and meadows near the Belopesok monastery.

A large-scale performance is prepared for the guests of the action, and after the reconstruction of the battle they can communicate with its participants and make unforgettable pictures.

The last time around 550 people took part in the reconstruction of the Prague operation. Representatives were sent by 57 clubs from 19 Russian regions. The Germans among them were about 100 participants. It should be noted that this is one of the largest military historical festivals in the Moscow region.

The audience witnesses the last operation of Soviet troops in the Great Patriotic War. "Prague operation" is held from 6 to 11 May 1945.