An airsoft re-enactment of a military operation from World War II was recently hosted near Stellenbosch to educate younger generations about historical events in an innovative way.
This was according to Jason Greed, owner of Dibs Airsoft, the company responsible for organising the event.
All individuals who participated in the recent airsoft re-enactment of the Normandy Landings from World War II were able to play as either the Axis or Allies at the Compound Airsoft Venue near Stellenbosch. This was according to the Dibs Airsoft Facebook page. PHOTO: Nicolas Adamy
The Normandy Landings, also known as D-Day, refers to the Allied military operation that took place between 5 and 6 June 1944, said Greed.
The annual re-enactment took place at the Compound Airsoft Venue based near Stellenbosch Farms on 3 September, rather than on the anniversary of the operation, because of the bad weather in June, stated Greed.
The event was open to everyone, and all participants were able to choose between two sides, according to the Dibs Airsoft Facebook page. Participants could join the Axis or Allies in the “the ultimate base defence game of all time”, as stated on the Dibs Airsoft Facebook page.
There were three re-enactments throughout the day between 10:00 and 14:30 and more than fifty individuals participated in the event.
From 10:00 to 15:00 on 3 September, participants could take part in re-enacting a famous battle from World War II outside of Stellenbosch. VIDEO: Nicolas Adamy
Keeping history alive
The aim of the event was to keep history alive and prevent the stories from dying, stated Greed.
“History should never be forgotten because once history is forgotten, it is doomed to repeat itself,” stated Mika Calitz, a participant in the re-enactment.
During the recent airsoft re-enactment of D-Day from World War II at the Compound Airsoft Venue near Stellenbosch, three battles were run and the “Allies” won every one. PHOTO: Nicolas Adamy
A life-sized history class
The event was ultimately about combining fun and education, said Greed.
Many airsoft reenactments are organised by Dibs Airsoft during the year, according to Stavro Rousalis, an individual who observed the re-enactment.
These events have enabled Rousalis’s child to learn a lot about history and the battles that took place, he said.
While being entertaining and allowing participants to “let off steam”, the re-enactment is also “a historical educational game”, according to Rousalis.
“[Airsoft] is a great community sport [and] it is a wonderful way of meeting new people,” said Stavro Rousalis, an individual who witnessed the recent airsoft re-enactment of the Normandy Landings from World War II at the Compound Airsoft Venue near Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Nicolas Adamy