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Memories of World War II at Fort Miles
Reenactors are highlight of annual Delaware Defense Day at historic facility
Reenactors get a lesson on how a machine gun mounted on a World War II vehicle works. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
April 26, 2023
Fort Miles Historical Area hosted the annual Delaware Defense Day April 22 at Cape Henlopen State Park.
The event featured dozens of vintage World War II vehicles and nearly 30 reenactors, a reenactment of the surrender of German U-Boat 858, music, demonstrations and tours of Battery 519, the Fort Miles Museum. Fort Miles was the most fortified base on the Atlantic Coast in defense of the shipping entrance to Delaware Bay leading to the key port of Philadelphia.
At the age of 15, Daniel Cotlyar of Marlboro, N.J., is among the youngest of dozens of World War II reenactors taking part in the annual Delaware Defense Day at Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Reenactors take up their posts in one of Fort Miles’ barracks open to the public with authentic World War II gear and weapons on display.
A coastal artillery defense crew fires one of Fort Miles’ 3-inch guns during a Delaware Defense Day demonstration. During World War II, the guns were mounted along the shoreline.
Members of the fighting 69th Engineer Combat Battalion are (l-r) Taylor Mountjoy of Bristow, Va., and Bob Campbell of Tappahannock, Va.
Horse riders David Miller, left, on Miss Anna, and Shelia Gladfelter, right, on Dancer stop for a pet from Katie Wilson and her mom Sharon of Georgetown. The duo are portraying members of the little-known Coast Guard horse patrol along the beaches during World War II.
The 2nd Service Command Motor Pool has a variety of World War II-era vehicles on display.
An easy rider. Charlotte Krause, visiting with her family from Pennsylvania, takes a seat on a World War II-era motorcycle.
The WWIIunes provide music from the 1940s throughout the day in the Fort Miles orientation building.
Jeffrey Batt has a World War II film titled “The Yanks Invade Africa,” which he said may never have been viewed. The reenactor is a member of the photo corps.
Katie Wilson, along with her father Kevin, gets up close and personal to horses Miss Anna and Dancer.
Reeactors Tom Mellon, left, of the Philadelphia area and Harry DelBuono of Norristown, Pa., of the 28th Infantry Division answer questions about the variety of World War II-era weapons and equipment on display.
A restored Sherman tank is one of the highlights of Delaware Defense Day. The Sherman was the most widely used medium tank by Allied forces. Nearly 50,000 were built between 1941 and 1945.
Bob Campbell helps his daughter, Mary, navigate a pair of 1940s roller skates.
One of the Fort Miles barracks contains an extensive display of morale builders from the Special Services Branch used during the war at home and abroad, including sports activities such as baseball.
Music and canteens are popular events during the war years and attracted some of the top-name talents of the day.
