More than 4,000 people re-created World War II’s D-Day with paintball guns in Penn Forest Township over the weekend.

The annual Invasion of Normandy drew paintball players from surrounding states to Skirmish’s fields outside of Jim Thorpe. Playing the part of Axis and Allies, they took part in a massive battle which lasted into the night Saturday, and continued on Sunday.

Starting at noon, the Allies stormed an open field representing the Normandy beach, trying to avoid the fire of the Axis, who enjoyed a protected position in the woods.

“There’s millions of paintballs flying at you, smoke grenades everywhere, you can’t see where the things are coming from, it’s insane,” said Mike Sternlicht, of Rockaway, New Jersey.

The paintball Invasion of Normandy isn’t a guaranteed win for the Allies. The outcome of the battle is based on points, which teams earn by taking or defending places and items on the battlefield.

Players can return to the field over and over after being shot. The players say they don’t mind a few welts from the paintballs. There’s an adrenaline rush, and they can always shoot back.

“You bleed, I bleed the same,” said Serigo Kapchits, of Brooklyn, New York.

The range of skill level is vast. Some come with from organized paintball teams, to people who are playing for the first time.

All of them come to enjoy their hobby on massive scale. Some players like the history. Some play video games like “Call of Duty” and “Fortnite” and also want the chance to simulate them in real life.

“I just came to shoot some stuff,” said Josh Jones, of Wilkes-Barre. “I played ‘Call of Duty’ all my life. It helps.”

Video games have also influenced their style. There’s plenty of camouflage, but other players couldn’t care less about blending in, wearing a rainbow of colors on their jerseys and masks. Some dress in Halloween costumes.

Desarae Latino, who came from Connecticut, said seeing all the different outfits is part of the fun.

“I saw Yoshi, a dinosaur, a banana. I turned around and said ‘the banana just got shot,’?” she said.

Thousands of players camp throughout the weekend. Fields surrounding the playing area are turned into a festival-like campground. They cook and hang out together into the night. It’s a reunion for paintball players who only get to see each other once a year.

“On the field, you have a mission to do. Here, you get to hang out with everybody,” Kapchits said.