Fort Fisher to host WWII 80th anniversary commemoration Saturday

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Fort Fisher State Historic Site will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a special event on Saturday, Oct. 4.

According to a news release, the day begins with a military vehicle convoy traveling from Fort Fisher to Kure Beach and back starting at 9 a.m. On the grounds, military and civilian re-enactors will set up living history displays between the visitor center and earthworks. A period field kitchen and numerous historic military vehicles will also be on display.

Parking will be available at the visitor center, located at 1610 S. Fort Fisher Blvd. in Kure Beach.

While Fort Fisher is best known for its Civil War history, the site also played a role in World War II. Beginning in October 1941, anti-aircraft artillery soldiers trained at the post before deploying to the front lines. At its peak, Fort Fisher could handle three battalions on a six-day training rotation, and more than 40 battalions trained there before it closed in 1944.

As the Greensboro Daily News noted in 1941, “Old Ft. Fisher, which defended one of the last open ports of the Confederacy, once more will resound and shudder to heavy gunfire as plans move rapidly ahead on construction of a firing point at the fort for Camp Davis in eastern North Carolina.”

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to the public.