Tank Battle Re-enactments Planned for Canada’s Largest Historical Military Show Near Toronto

A tank is shown at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, near Oromocto, N.B., on April 9, 2007. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan)

Military vehicles and battle re-enactments will be on display as the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum hosts its biggest yearly event in Oshawa.

Dubbed the “largest and greatest historical military show” in North America, the museum says its  extensive collection of operational historical vehicles will be showcased during Aquino Tank Weekend, taking place from July 26 to 28.

Static and dynamic displays will show off the more than 120 vehicles from the museum’s collection.

“They will roll out in demonstrations, battle re-enactments, and one-on-one tank battles,” the museum’s website says.

Battle re-enactments involving artillery, infantry, and vehicles encountering each other aim to create an intense experience reminiscent of real-life battles. The scenarios are narrated and include explosions and gunfire with blanks, according to the website.

Organizers say the battle shows can be very loud and recommend hearing protection for small children or those with sensitive hearing.

The weekend will be filled with more than just military battles, according to the website. It will also feature displays from Canadian Armed Forces units, other museums from Southern Ontario, historical re-enactors, and supporting organizations. There will also be pipe and drum performances as well as radio-controlled tank demonstrations.

Visitors can enjoy the beer gardens and food trucks, and younger guests can play in the kids zone. Guests also can purchase tickets for a tank ride to get up close to the military vehicle.

Last year was a record-breaking year with 26,000 attendees over the weekend, organizers say, and they are expecting more visitors this year.

The event is suitable for anyone from military and history enthusiasts to children and families, according to the website.

Battle of Aquino

The event is named after a small Italian farming town, Aquino, that was part of the “Hitler Line” in 1944—a key German defensive line of obstacles and strong points which blocked the advance to Rome along the Liri Valley, the museum website says.

On May 19, 1944 the Ontario Regiment was encamped south of Aquino, tasked with supporting the British who attempted to attack the Line. However, the battle did not go as planned and the Line remained in place.

The regiment lost 13 tanks in the action, along with five wounded soldiers and one missing in action. However, they were able to destroy one German tank, one self-propelled gun, and several other guns.

A few days later, on May 23, 1944, the first and second Canadian Infantry Brigade took the Hitler Line. They suffered the loss of 162 who were killed, 306 wounded, and 75 who were taken prisoner.