Press Release D-Day 75

The annual OVERLORD show, organised by the Solent Overlord Executive Military Collectors Club, is being held at Denmead PO7 6HS on the second bank holiday in May  Saturday , Sunday, and Monday the 25th to the 27th May.

Supporting military charities, the chosen charity for 2019 will be Hounds for Heroes, a local based charity near Petersfield who train and support guide dogs for wounded veterans.

The event, held in the Portsmouth area since 1975 has grown into the South’s biggest military show with 300+ military vehicles and 30+ re-enactor groups in period costume set up the living history field.

In 2019 the 6th June will be the 75 anniversary of D Day, when, code named OVERLORD, the British and Allied troops landed in Normandy to liberate Europe from the Germans.

To commemorate this anniversary, a daily 45 min. mock battle, complete with loud explosions and gunfire will depict the Normandy landings with re-enactors representing the German forces on the beach and Allied forces coming ashore from landing craft.

Along with various armoured vehicles attending the show, a DUPLEX DRIVE Valentine Tank, will take pride of place in the battle. This will be the first showing of this historic amphibious swimming tank,  fitted with a large canvas screen and twin propellers, allowing it to float and drive up onto the beach head.

In addition, in the second arena, a morning skirmish will be presented depicting other battles, followed by a demonstration of gunfire from five cannons demonstrating the development of weapons from 1865 to 1950.

The show will be attended by 120 trade stalls selling military wares, with a food court and beer tent alongside the main arena.

 Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing in period uniforms and costumes, and the event will be open from 9am to 5 pm each day       

Admission prices can be found here.

Vehicle owners, reenactors, traders and other exhibitors are invited to make applications using the forms found on the website here.