A War Zone?

"And when he plays he makes the company jump eight to the bar. He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B"

War tanks, ferrets, camouflage coloured motor-bikes, a bren-gun carrier and The Andrews Sisters ... earlier today we had a close encounter with them all. We didn't go to a War Movie, but instead drove to a private unsealed airstrip where the dust and flies hardly hindered our enjoyment of a display that brought War to the forefront of our minds.

The 'operator' of the Bren gun looked strangely out of place wearing his gasmask.

To reach the air-strip vehicles had to negotiate across a paddock that today was a sea of dust. Young navy and army cadets directed traffic to parking spaces ensuring cars parked in an orderly manner. Most opted to get up close and personal with the display; many children clambered over the tank and when it did a lap of the airstrip loud cries, screams, and giggles rent the air. Those aboard will need to shower this evening as the dust the huge iron tracks made visibility almost impossible. A dust storm followed them.

One plane flew over and had a seven-foot person been in the crowd he would easily have reached up and touched the silver and blue bird as it flew, remarkably quietly for its altitude, over the assembly. Cameras clicked, a reporter made notes, TV cameras and reporters captured a moment of time reminiscent of the past, while in the background The Andrews Sisters warbled their wartime tunes.

I peered into a mock-up of a dug-out with a huge camouflaged gun poking out through khaki-coloured streamers, a girl who resembled Florence Nightingale chatted with soldiers wearing tin hats outside a white canvas hospital tent, the Navy and the Army had recruitment tents in case the young visitors decided the Forces were their forte.

With ANZAC Day in the near future the display of wartime equipment held a fascination only enjoyed in peace-time.