World War II Training Comes Alive as Living Historians Teach About the North African Campaign

In 1942, the United States Army was called upon to undertake the most formidable task it had ever faced: destroy the Nazi threat around the world. The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is proud to present a living history event, "Training for the North African Campaign," to honor and remember the American Soldiers who risked everything in the Second World War. The event will kick off on Friday, September 28th with a day-long education program for school groups and will continue on Saturday and Sunday (29th-30th) with two days of interactive living history showing how Soldiers trained and fought during the opening salvos of America's involvement in World War II.

In November 1942, America's leaders decided to finally enter World War II in the western theater by invading Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia to push the German Wehrmacht's tank corps out of North Africa and secure the south coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The USAHEC's fall event is a unique opportunity to learn how the U.S. Army's Soldiers spent months training and preparing for the grueling and dangerous mission. The programs are open to the public and will feature reenactors concentrating on the development and training of the U.S. Army globally as it prepared to fight the Nazis in North Africa. U.S. Soldiers are the highlight, but American allies and adversaries will also be present to interact with visitors. The event will include the mile-long Army Heritage Trail packed with displays, military vehicles, and live demonstrations depicting the history of Soldiers in World War II. Displays will include demonstrations of weapons and tactics, USO and medical tents, and meet-and-greet talks with Veterans who risked their lives during World War II. The Visitor and Education Center will present indoor lectures and a live swing-band performance with dancers dressed in period garb.

The USAHEC’s, "Training for the North African Campaign," living history event is completely free and open to the public. Parking is free, and food vendors will be available on site. The event kicks off for school students on September 28th, 2012 at 8:30 AM. On Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th, the parking lots will open to the general public at 8:30 AM and the event programs will begin at 9:00 AM. Programs will continue all three days until 5:00 PM. The USAHEC is located at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013. For a schedule of events, to get involved, or to learn more about the event, visit www.USAHEC.org or call 717-245-3972.