Fort Miles: WWII comes to life this Saturday

LEWES – Historic Fort Miles at Cape Henlopen Park will go back in time nearly eight decades Saturday, April 20 with the 2024 Delaware Defenders Day, an event focusing on life as it might have been during World War II.

WWII reenactors, military vehicles, artillery, demonstrations, barracks life, music and other educational components will be featured in the event, which enlists the Delaware State Parks, the Harbor Defense of the Delaware Living History Association, and other groups.

“The approach that we are taking is to have units that would have served in WWII and other things, but not necessarily Delaware units,” said Dr. Donald Hattier, spokesman for the Harbor Defense of the Delaware Living History Association.

The event at the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., punctuated by artillery demonstrations at 11 a.m., the surrender reenactment of German submarine U-858 at 1 p.m., and small arms and artillery demos at 2 p.m.

Reenactors and groups from upward of six states are scheduled to participate, Dr. Hattier said.