Delaware Defense Day goes back in time

Visitors were able to take a step back in time April 26, experiencing what life was like at Fort Miles, the most heavily fortified base in the country during World War II.

The event was presented by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Parks and Recreation, the Fort Miles Harbor Defenses of the Delaware Living History Association and the Fort Miles Historical Association. 

The annual event in Cape Henlopen State Park featured more than 100 reenactors dressed in period uniforms representing the soldiers who served at Fort Miles during and after World War II. There were also 25 to 30 period vehicles, including a Sherman M4A4 tank. More than 40 exhibits helped tell the story. 

Other exhibitors at the event included Delaware Aviation Museum, Naval Air Station Wildwood, the Air Mobility Command Museum, the Delaware National Guard, the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Historic Lewes (formerly Lewes Historical Society).

There were artillery demonstrations using a 3-inch naval gun and a demonstration startup of the Sherman tank. There was also a reenactment of the surrender of German U-Boat 858, which occurred at Fort Miles in May 1945 after Germany surrendered to allied forces in Europe.

For more information about the Fort Miles Museum and the Fort Miles Historical Association, go to fortmilesmuseum.org.