The origins of 2nd Armored in Europe can be traced back to May 1994, when Peter and John Heyworth travelled with the WWII Living History Association’s D/505 (82nd Airborne) group to Bussum in the Netherlands, in their M8 Armored Car.

 

The idea of creating a 2nd Armored living history group progressed under their guidance, and annual trips were made to Bussum and Bethune between 1995 and 1997, acquiring more interest from fellow Armored enthusiasts from France, Belgium and the UK.  

 

In 1998 D/505 created its 2nd Armored impression, as a combination of C/82nd  Armd Recon and 41st Armored Infantry, providing the nucleus of the group, and enabling 2nd Armd to attend events in the UK under the banner of the WWII Living History Association Ltd, whilst the mainland European Armored trips were done under the 2nd Armored in Europe banner.

 

Since then 2nd Armored in Europe has undertaken numerous mainland European commemorative events, following the routes of the 2nd Armored Division and other Armored, Infantry and Airborne Divisions through their original battlefields in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic, utilising the resources and enthusiasm of fellow vehicle owners, collectors and re-enactors from the UK, Europe and the USA, all of whom join the "Unit Roster" to equally share the costs of the trips. Membership of 2nd Armored in Europe is open to all those who have attended or are going to attend one of the events.

 

Our "Big Trips" are managed through specifically set up Limited Companies, with formal accounts and Public Liability Insurance.

 

We are always looking for expand our family of like-minded living historians or vehicle owners who are willing to meet the minimum authenticity guidelines and work together as a team – just drop us a line using the contact email if you are interested in attending any of the events on our Future Events listing.

 

The group now become a familiar and welcome sight at major WWII commemorative events in the UK and mainland Europe, and has gained an envied reputation for being one of the most authentic living history groups of its type in the world.

 

With a mix of highly dedicated infantrymen and an enviable array of armor and other vehicles, 2nd Armored in Europe continues to keep alive the memory of the hardships and sacrifices endured by the original units of the Division.  We will never forget.