A combined display by both the Allied and Axis units of the World War II Re-enactment Group Malta will take place during the Ta' Qali Aviation Museum open weekend this Saturday and Sunday.
Over the last decade, historical re-enactments worldwide have evolved into a powerful tool in dramatising man's ancient and modern history. The preparation and production of such spectacular events, especially in the context of past military conflicts, are the result of many long hours of in-depth research and remarkable attention to detail in addition to a substantial investment in terms of money and manpower.
Such events are usually very popular and for the re-enactors themselves it may mean spending a day or two in the company of friends from a wide variety of social backgrounds yet having one common aim: interacting with the public and portraying a significant aspect of man's history in the most authentic manner possible.
Re-enactments are the epitome of "live" educational and cultural entertainment and their popularity in Malta is growing rapidly.
In an effort to re-enact as accurately as possible the military spectacle of any particular era, one has to study in detail the many different facets of the daily life of the troops in their encampment or on the battlefield, the period uniform, life in the camp, the weapons they carried, drill and military tactics, to mention just a few.
The World War II Re-enactment Group Malta (WW2GM) was officially founded on September 1, 2009 on the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the great war. It focuses on the Malta theatre of conflict in WWII.
Members come from the Malta Command Living History Group, led by Colin Micallef. This group depicts in every detail the hardship, the valour and the fighting spirit of the Maltese soldiers of the Royal Malta Artillery and the King's Own Malta Regiment, which saw action during Malta's darkest hour. The country owes so much to the brave men who sacrificed their lives in their fight for democracy and freedom.
WW2RGM also represents elements of the German forces that were deployed in Sicily during the Battle of Malta in 1941-1943. Units of the Fallschirmjager (paratroopers) came very close to launching an airborne assault on Malta similar to the German invasion of Crete in 1941. The German forces depicted by WW2RGM are the Brigade Ramcke-Sud and an infantry squad, Kampfgruppe-Sud, led by Malcolm Ferriggi.
WW2RGM was founded by a group of Maltese re-enactors whose common aim is to study collectively the military history of Malta in WWII. It acquired official recognition by the Weapons Board and the Police Commissioner. Most of the re-enactors are also avid collectors of military vehicles, firearms and other militaria relevant to Malta's past.
During the first annual general meeting held last January 26, Paul Soler was elected chairman of the founding committee.
The Malta Command Living History Group can be contacted through its website www.maltacommand.com and the German Units can be reached via e-mail on mferr@maltanet.net.