Manhay 2023
What can we say about the year 2023?
Despite the heavy rain, it was once again a successful event! Despite the fact that showers drenched us throughout the weekend, especially on Saturday during the show, it didn’t demotivate either the participants or the numerous visitors who came for the 79th anniversary of the battle. There may have been slightly fewer armored vehicles, but this was due to the organization’s choice to reserve resources in anticipation of an exceptional 80th anniversary.
Surrounding the Military Exchange and the MHM44 Museum, the camps were larger, taking over part of the village. Some tents represented mess halls, a headquarters post, etc., not to mention the infirmary in the village church, one side of which was covered by a large Red Cross flag.
While more than 150 vehicles went on a ride through agricultural and forest paths for about forty kilometers, preparations for pyrotechnic shows were underway. Upon the convoy’s return, an increasingly elaborate show was presented to an ever-growing audience. On the German side of the battlefield, there was only one armored vehicle, a Panzer II, but two SDKFZ 251s and a Demag D7 deployed their tracks in Manhay for the first time. There were also two Kettenkrad, one of which enlivened the weekend by roaming the field or towing stuck vehicles. An originally converted Bren Carrier into a war trophy could also be seen. On the US side, numerous vehicles of all models were present, but only a few trucks from the 300th Engineering Battalion protected the village, having installed a Bailey Bridge on the battlefield. As every year, pyrotechnics played a part, presenting increasingly impressive explosions.
The organization had prepared a huge tent, which was very welcome for sheltering from the rain. Musical presentations were also part of the weekend with various groups, including “Les Marie-Claire,” “The Sister Dolls,” and the must-see “Tuppelo” who set the stage on fire! They will be back next December, but we will also welcome back with great pleasure the American singers group “The Manhattan Dolls” who will join us for the 3rd time.
See you in 2024 on December 12-13-14-15 for an event worthy of a highly anticipated 80th anniversary. Good news: armored vehicles will be back, and many other surprises await you! The organizers extend a special thanks to all the reenactment groups and individual participants, vehicle owners, various administrations whose agreement and collaboration are essential, and the many volunteers without whom nothing could happen. See you in just nine months!
Photo’s: Grand merci a Rik Verslype & Christian Kieffer!