Great European Battles

As part of the work with Great European Battles Baktruppen lived for almost three weeks in military tents with field kitchen and beds while digging a 60 meter long, deep, labyrinthine trench. Clad in camouflage uniforms with military ranks, functions and duty schemes, Baktruppen dug its way through the layers of history. The finds were overwhelming and Baktruppen had to seek assistance from local specialists to identify the objects, dating all the way back to Roman times (1200).

All suspicious events and finds were logged. During the performance Baktruppen stood ready for inspection outside the tent, presented themselves with rank and function, performed exercise drills, demonstrated trenches techniques, read from the last duty’s log rich in events and reconstructed at least one famous European battle. After the performance the audience got to see the growing exhibition of archaeological finds.

From Baktruppens log (the original text was written in English and has not been altered by Sceneweb):

"August 20th, 2002: Baktruppen arrives the battle ground of Kortrijk, Belgium, near the old theatres of World War I, II, etc. A military camp is established behind the cathedral, right in the centre of the city. From here Baktruppen will find and identify the Enemy.
The BACKUNCOP tent contains a kitchen unit, sleeping equipment and everything needed for the sanitary service.
The Enemy may be all around and deep inside. With this in mind Baktruppen wear camouflage, keep a 24h. watch on the site, and continuously dig trenches; 1m deep, 60cm wide, with earthen barricades in front. By September 7th, 2002, 50m. are dug.
A lot of objects are found in the soil and brought into daylight. Covering 2000 years of war and peace, these objects are exhibited on the site.
Objects uncovered:
Human bones from the cemetery, 1203 - 1784.
Animal bones.
4 pipes. 1 app. 1650, 3 from 18th. -19th. century.
Red wares, produced locally, most of them from 16th. - 19th. century.
Slipwares from Flanders, Netherlands and Rhine Valley, 16th. - 19th. century.
Floor tile with slip, could be 14th. or 15th. century.
White faiance tiles (industrial examples), 19th. century.
Porcelain from China, 1680.
Majolica, dishes from Antwerp, 2 ex., 1575 - 1625.
Faiance, after 1620, mostly from 17th. and 18th. century.
Leien, from Meuse valley.
Leien, from Northern France, perhaps from the region of Beauvais, 1 ex., 18th. century.
Pottery, 18th. century (mangaan - oxyde glazur).
Late medieval pottery, greywares, 1250 - 1580.
Stoneware, (imported pottery),
- Langerwehe (near Cologne), 14th. or 15th. century. - 2 ex. from Siegburg (near Bonn), 14th. - 15th. century.
- Raeren (near Aachen), 1500 - 1600.
- Westerwald, (near Coblenz), grey and kobolt blau, 1580 - 1750.
- 1 piece (mangaan), produced after 1670.
Belga x 2, coins melted together, 1830.
Jewellery; ceramic pearl.
Nails and hooks; iron.
Glass; from bottles and glasses.
Oyster shells; presumably used as toilet paper.
Column; stone, mid 19th century, height 80 cm.
Tin can.
Iron box; 40 x 30 x 30 cm, time period not yet defined.
(Dated and described mostly by M. Philippe Despriet at the historical museum in Kortrijk.)

Local civilians of all ages visit the camp at all hours. They are encouraged to support the BACKUNCOP by reporting any suspicious activity in order to identify the Enemy.
Seven times a week Baktruppen do military parades and demonstrations of discipline along with updated reports to the local civilians. European battles and highlights from the BACKUNCOP are reconstructed.
Battles reconstructed:
23.08.: The battle of Culloden, 1745, England vs. Scotland.
23.08.: The battle of Somme, 1916, Britain / France vs. Germany (1st. version).
23.08.: The battle at Stamford Bridge, 1066, the Norse vs. England.
24.08.: The battle of Argesul, 1916, Austria / Germ vs Romania.
24.08.: The battle of Azincourt, 1415, England vs. France.
27.08.: The battle of Dynekil, 1714, Denmark / Norway vs. Poland.
28.08.: The battle of Ulm, 1805, France / Bavaria vs. Britain, Russia, Austria.
29.08.: The battle of Zorndorf, 1758, Russia vs. Prussia.
30.08.: The battle of Norderhov, 1716, Norway vs. Sweden.
31.08.: The battle of Cannae, 216 BC, Carthago vs. Rome.
03.09.: The battle of Somme, 1916, Britain / France vs. Germany (2nd. version).
04.09.: The 3rd. battle of  Kosovo, 1999, NATO vs. Serbia .
05.09.: The battle of Austerlitz, 1805, Austria / Russia vs. France.
06.09.: The battle of Stalingrad, 1942-43, USSR vs. Germany.
07.09.: The battle of 3rd. Ypres (Passchendaele), 1917, Allied vs. Germany.
07.09.: The battle of the Spurs, 1302, Flemish vs. French.
The Baktruppen Camp Kortrijk Troop:
India Hotel - Field Commander.
Whiskey Whiskey - Field Marshal.
Oscar Bravo - Private, Sanity.
Juliet Kilo, Private - Logistics.
Echo Bravo - Private, Liaison.
Tango Foxtrot Juliet - Private, Kitchen.
General status:

An overwhelming amount of suspicious objects, persons, situations and language have been observed and are registered in the BACKUNCOP log book. The Enemy is here. The Enemy is there. The Enemy may be invisible, but never seems to disappear."

Source:

Baktruppen, www.baktruppen.org, 03.09.2010, http://www.baktruppen.org/div_htmls/soknad0608