WWI Newville Spring 2024
In April 2024, I participated in the WWI reenactment at the Great War Association (GWA). This event is considered an emersion event, which means it’s for reenactors only, and the general public is not allowed. During the weekend, the 600+ reenactors try to remain in character so everyone gets as close to an authentic experience as possible. Newville is always a moving experience, which takes the reenactors back in time to a dark era in human history.
The GWA is a 100-acre site in south-central Pennsylvania that boasts over a mile of opposing trenches and crater-pocked No-Man’s Land. There is also an endless site of barbwire, bunkers, bombed-out buildings, and other structures that genuinely make you feel you are in 1917-1918 Europe.
I’m a part of the French unit “113RIT Régiment d’Infanterie Territoriale“, aka the Territorials. On Friday evening, I was assigned to the heavy weapons group and helped run the Maxim gun. While on our post, we fended off several small waves of German advances. Unfortunately, during a night raid, the Maxim gun jammed just as the German flame thrower showed up, which meant we were dead.
On Saturday, I was posted on the front line with infantry and ran around with my mock-up vintage camera. To run around and take pictures during the WWI emersion event, I have to conceal the modern digital camera within a natural 1910 5×7 camera body. This camera setup has allowed me to take so many great photos that I couldn’t get any other way.
The Allies and Central Powers don’t know when either will attack, which adds to the tension and realism of the event. There’s some time between the actions so the reenactors can converse and share stories. But once the smoke bombs and fireworks shells start to fly, all hell breaks loose. The battles occur both day and night, and they get pretty intense. All the guns are fully powered rifle blanks, and flares and fireworks (mock grenades) go off. No man’s land features many creator holes, actual barbed wire, and other obstacles that make any assault a challenge, especially at night.
One of my highlights was Saturday evening after the final big battle. I made my way to the Red Cross station on the Allies side. Several “injured” soldiers made their way back for treatment. Many of the Red Cross reenactors are real medical professionals, so they can put a lot of realism into the scene.
At 9:30 p.m. Saturday night, the war is over, and social time starts. All the reenactors on both sides can cross lines and hang out with each other, which makes for a great conversation about history, showing off impressions, and friends catching up.
