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World War II history comes alive at Fort Miles

In silhouette, a youngster prepares to "fire" the 12-inch gun in Battery 519 at Fort Miles. BY RON MACARTHUR
Ron MacArthur
May 6, 2016
One of the highlights of every Fort Miles spring event is the firing of one of the three-inch guns. More than a dozen soldiers were assigned to each of the guns during World War II. Arthur Ellison is shown firing the gun. BY RON MACARTHUR
German Grossdeutschland reenactors prepare lunch using authentic cooking equipment as part of a field kitchen. BY RON MACARTHUR
Reenactor John Gott helps Luke Hargreaves of Ellendale use a winch to lift a small Jeep model. BY RON MACARTHUR
Jenna and Colby Chambers of Seaford have no idea what they are looking at. The typewriter is part of the period equipment reenactors use to bring history to life. BY RON MACARTHUR
Jen Keefer of Reading, Pa., takes part in the living history event at Fort Miles. BY RON MACARTHUR
Deep in the Battery 519 bunker volunteers show visitors how the plotting table was used to aim and fire Fort Miles guns. BY RON MACARTHUR
Lewes native George Mitchell, 96, served in the Navy during World War II. He and his wife, Virginia, also a Lewes native, have been married 61 years. BY RON MACARTHUR
The large searchlight is always a popular attraction whenever Fort Miles volunteers have an event. BY RON MACARTHUR
Paul Yeager of Lewes, portraying a Russian Army lieutenant, says it took him three years to restore and outfit this Ural motorcycle and support vehicle. BY RON MACARTHUR
Tim Raesch, a Fort Miles interpreter, shows a large crowd what a three-inch shell looks like during a gun-firing demonstration. BY RON MACARTHUR

Visitors got a first-hand look at ongoing construction of the new Fort Miles artillery park April 30 as Cape Henlopen State Park held its 12th annual "Delaware Goes to War: Victory in Europe" event. The artillery park is expected to be completed in June.

The event included gun-firing demonstrations, tours of Battery 519, music, a salute to those who have purchased commemorative pavers and a re-creation of the German U-Boat 858 surrender at Fort Miles.

American and German reenactors spent the weekend in barracks at Fort Miles. "This is a great learning opportunity," said Fort Miles Historical Association President Gary Wray. "We need to keep the past alive and preserve the contribution that Delaware made during World War II."

Fort Miles was a strategic position at the entrance of Delaware Bay to protect vital industries in Wilmington and Philadelphia.

For more information go to fortmiles.org.

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