The inside story of wartime at airfield

DAVIDSTOW Airfield and Cornwall At War Museum recently staged their fourth annual war machines weekend.

Museum joint curator Steve Perry explained that the wet weather had helped to bring people to the event on the Sunday. Owners Steve and Sheila Perry said they were pleased such a large number of people had supported the event.

One highlight was a weapons display which included a demonstration of the DP, or pancake gun, used by the Soviet Union from 1928 and the Mosin Nagant bolt action rifle.

The Second World War Mosin Nagant was demonstrated by Sharon Dunn, a licensed and experienced holder of firearms, and member of the South West Battlegroup. James Dunn, Soldat Jameski for the day, carried the Mosin Nagant. They gave an interesting re-enactment of part of the battle of Stalingrad.

For soldiers of the Red Army the period from June 22, 1941 to May 9, 1945 is known as the Great Patriotic War and the battle of Stalingrad was for control of the city of that name in southern Russia. It took place between June 17, 1942 and February 2, 1943 and is often cited as a turning point in the Second World War. It was one of the bloodiest battles of modern military history with combined casualties estimated at nearly two million.

The day ended with a road run by the Cornwall Military Vehicle Trust. The convoy visited several sites including Condolden Barrow, Trebarwith village, the bromide station at Delabole and the prisoner of war camp at St Teath.