ORANGE — Travel back in time this weekend to a French battlefield in 1918, and witness the “war to end all wars.”
On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Orange Municipal Airport, the Massachusetts Military History Expo is holding World War I Days, showcasing the technology, vehicles and equipment, uniforms and combat tactics used during World War I.
Also referred to as “The Great War,” World War I claimed tens of millions of lives — even by conservative estimates — from July 28, 1914 to Nov. 11, 1918.
According to organizer Dan Eaton, the Massachusetts Military History Expo puts on World War I Days — in addition to its flagship festival each May, showcasing items from different wars — to keep the public informed about the devastating war. While there are still veterans alive from later wars, World War I happened more than a century ago, and Eaton said it is this event’s job to keep the Great War in the public consciousness.
At World War I Days, visitors will have the chance to see what a 1918 European battlefield looked like. Reenactors uniformed in the combat dress of the Allied Powers — which were France, the British Empire, Russia, the U.S. and others — and Central Powers — which were Germany, Austria-Hungary and the ill-fated Ottoman Empire — will hold live demonstrations simulating battle.
“You will get a chance to experience the past, and see how the men and women lived and fought during this ‘war to end all wars,’” said fellow organizer Melissa Eaton.
A defining trait of World War I was the usage of trench warfare. Using trenches dug at the airport, complete with sandbags and plank walkways, reenactors will portray the brutality of this type of warfare, including the infamous tactic of “going over the top” — charging from the trenches to be met, more times than not, with a shower of bullets.
Some interesting innovations were introduced during World War I, too, including a mobile, portable kitchen — an iron oven with wheels used to transfer meals to soldiers — that visitors will see.
The event will be held rain or shine. In addition to battle reenactments, there will be exhibits and demonstrations of authentic weaponry and machinery from the period, as well as food vendors. Visitors themselves will have the chance to walk through the hundreds of feet of trenches.
An entrance to the exposition is at 645 South Main St. Tickets for the event are $15 for adults and $5 for children. Veterans and senior citizens get in for $10. Parking is free.