Contributed
DUBLIN – Bladen Community College history instructor, Cliff Tyndall, will be a featured speaker at the annual World War II exhibit on September 1 – 2, 2018, at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, NC.
Tyndall, a writer, researcher, historian, and avid collector of war memorabilia will present on both days, while sharing a unique display.
“I am setting up a functioning Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command Post,” described Tyndall, “as would have been seen at Fort Fisher in 1943 – 44.”
Fort Fisher is most widely known for its role in the Civil War in which the fort kept North Carolina’s port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland.
The lesser-known story of Fort Fisher is the role it played as an anti-aircraft training facility during World War II. Fort Fisher served as one of the main firing points for troops from Camp Davis, a huge anti-aircraft training camp located at Holly Ridge.
On Labor-Day weekend, military and civilian reenactors will set up displays (including military vehicles and weapons) on the WWII airstrip at the Fort. General admission is free, although there may be a small charge for tours.
For a donation, visitors can ride in one of the authentic World War II jeeps on display.
“I am taking my WWII Jeep, and will have driving tours of the WWII remains at Fort Fisher on both days,” said Tyndall.
Guest speakers will be in the Spencer Theatre both Saturday and Sunday. The presentations are free and open to the public. Tyndall is scheduled to speak at 3 P.M. on Saturday and 12:30 P.M. on Sunday, about the role of Camp Davis and Fort Fisher in the war.
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