IT’S the moment a dog show on the ground took second place to a dog fight in the skies.

The confrontation in question involved a group of replica First World One planes that re-enacted one of the battles from the 1914-18 conflict.

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The dramatic display was among the highlights of the Romsey Show, which once again attracted a huge ground.

Yesterday, all eyes turned skywards as the British and German aircraft chased each other through the clouds, smoke trailing from their undercarriage every time one of their opponents scored a “hit”.

Other attractions at the show, including the dog event, were briefly forgotten as the dashing air aces pursued each other just above the treetops.

Billed as the event Where Town and Country Meet, the one-day show was given a theme for the first time in its history – the Great War.

The huge showground at Broadlands Park played host to groups commemorating the centenary of the conflict in which millions died, including 374 from the Romsey area.

Many of the children arriving at the Daily Echo-backed event event made a beeline for what looked like a genuine First World War tank.

It was in fact a replica built for Steven Spielberg’s film War Horse, based on the best-selling children’s book by Michael Morpurgo.

A neighbouring marquee included an exhibition about the Romsey Remount Depot, a training facility built at the top of Pauncefoot Hill for men and horses destined for the Western Front.

In one month alone 1,200 horses left from Southampton Docks in just three days, followed by another 1,000 the following week.

Other war-related exhibits included a poster that used psychological tactics to persuade able-bodied men between the ages of 19 and 38 to enlist.

Published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, which wanted to shame men into joining up, the poster asked four searching and potentially embarrassing questions: “Are you really satisfied with what you are doing today?

“Do you feel happy as you walk along the streets and see other men wearing the King’s uniform?

“What will you say in years to come when people ask you ‘Where did you serve in the Great War?

“What will you answer when your children grow-up up and say ‘Father, why weren’t you a soldier, too?’”

But the show also provided plenty of attractions for people with only a passing interest in military history.

The annual event regularly attracts crowds of 25,000 people with its mix of livestock, countryside activities and vintage vehicles – and this year was no exception.

Visitors could admire some of the area’s best cattle and cage birds, plus alpacas from various venues from across the south.