Read nothing in Heritage guide omission: battle is still on

Updated November 2 2012 - 4:18pm, first published May 5 2011 - 2:22pm

Ballarat residents are reminded that one of Heritage Weekend’s most popular events – the historical military battle re-enactment – will go ahead as per usual after an administrative error omitted the event from the official Heritage Weekend guide.Military History Group member Lee Hatty said for the last 10 years, more than a hundred veterans, family and friends have been re-enacting various battles during Heritage Weekend out at the Ballarat Airport as a tribute to those who fought and died during wartime.This year’s re-enactment, dubbed “Operation Korea”, will centre around the Battle of Kapyong fought during the Korean War.The battle is regarded one as the most famous actions fought by the Australian and Canadian armies in Korea, which helped blunt the Chinese offensive in the Kapyong Valley in April 1951.More than 150 members of the military history group from all over Victoria and NSW will take part in the re-enactment, which will include explosions, small arms fire, full military uniforms and even “prisoners of war” taken from the crowd.Ms Hatty said the dramatic re-enactment will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday – but said the most action happens on Saturday.“The vehicles are all fully restored, there will be the big 25-pound mortars being fired and there’s no fakes – it’s all the proper army equipment.”More than 1000 people turned out to see the spectacle last year and a similar crowd is expected this time around.The action kicks off on Saturday at 10am, while a “capture” of a North Korean Colonel and a Korean Army vehicle will take place at 1pm. At 2.30, the Battle of Kapyong will commence.For more information on Ballarat Heritage Weekend, call 5320 5500.

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