Hundreds of people attended the annual Delaware Defense Day at Fort Miles, learning about life for the soldiers stationed there during World War II.

Fort Miles Historical Association and Delaware State Parks hosted the event April 20 at the fort in Cape Henlopen State Park.

The day’s events included firing demonstrations and a re-enactment of the May 14, 1945, surrender of German U-858 submarine at Fort Miles.

About 100 re-enactors, many from the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware Living History Association, established a realistic World War II-era camp with a church, post office, mess hall, field hospital, radio station, communications center, barracks and motor pool.

“We had a great turnout for this year’s Defense Day. We saw people who attended before, and many new faces,” said Jim Pierce, President of Fort Miles Museum. “This event is a great opportunity for people to learn about Fort Miles and Delaware history during World War II. The re-enactors are so important to this event and really make the past come alive.”

Fort Miles Museum in Battery 519, which features a 12-inch gun, art rooms, exhibits, Wall of Honor and gift shop, was open for tours.

Volunteers put on two, 3-inch gun firing demonstrations. During the war, Fort Miles had eight of the guns along the coast.

The fort had 32 guns, including two 16-inch and two 12-inch guns, to defend the coast against enemy ships during WWII. The fort’s location at what now is Cape Henlopen State Park was critical to safeguard cities and vital industries along Delaware Bay and Delaware River. About 2,000 soldiers and civilians were based at the fort, the most heavily fortified military installation on the eastern seaboard.

“We welcome every opportunity to share our knowledge of Fort Miles and Delaware’s role defending the United States,” said Pierce. “Defense Day is one way we do that.”

Germany sent U-858 on its final mission at the end of the war to attack the U.S. East Coast. It was ordered to report to the nearest Allied port just after Germany surrendered. The submarine was boarded off Atlantic City, N.J., where most of the crew was removed. A small crew stayed on board and anchored at the breakwater at Fort Miles. The crew members were detained until 1946 and released.

After the surrender, the U-858 was used in publicity for war bond drives, then for torpedo practice near New England before the Navy scuttled it in November 1947.