jack's trip - Day 01 T he London Royal Air Force Museum Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL T he RAF Museum - London +44(0)20 8205 2266 The London Royal Air Force Museum is generally open 10am- 6pm (last entry 5:30pm). Some parts have different times (see official site). Entry is free. The London Royal Air Force Museum is located in Hendon, North London via M1 (junction 4, southbound), M25, A5, A41 and A406. Sat Nav users should input road name (Grahame Park Way) instead of postcode or put postcode as NW9 5LT (nearby). Bus 303 stops outside. Approx 0.5 miles from Colindale tube station (northern line, High Barnet Branch). The Royal Air Force Museum (RAF Museum) in Hendon in North London has a series of exhibitions dedicated to the history of the RAF and aviation in general. Housing a fantastic collection of over 100 aircraft, the RAF museum has an impressive selection of planes including some of the most famous to have ever graced the skies. Also on show at the London Royal Air Force Museum are a series of objects and structures from throughout the history of aviation, such as two World War I hangars, a World War II Battle of Britain exhibition and a timeline of aviation history.
jack's trip - Day 01 Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ - +44 (0)20 7416 5000 The Imperial War Museum is open daily, 10am-6pm. Closed 24-26 December. Admission is free except for some special exhibitions. The nearest tube stations to the Imperial War Museum are Lambeth North (Bakerloo Line), Waterloo (Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee Line), Southwark (Jubilee Line). The Imperial War Museum is dedicated to exploring worldwide conflicts throughout history. The exhibitions in the London Imperial War Museum cover, amongst other things, different aspects of the First and Second World Wars including military history, the Holocaust, women s roles in the conflicts, wartime artwork and the political issues of the time. The Imperial War Museum is particularly child- friendly, with temporary exhibitions such as a reconstruction of a World War I trench.
jack's trip - Day 01 Cabinet War Rooms Clive St eps, King Charles St reet, London SW1A 2AQ Churchill Museum +44 (0)20 7930 6961 Adult: 12.95 Children under 16: free Senior citiz ens: 10.40 Students: 10.40 (with ID) Open daily: 09.30am - 6pm By Tube: The nearest underground station is Westminster though the site is also just a short walk from St James Park station. The Cabinet War Rooms are part of the underground bunker complex in London where Winston Churchill and his government operated during World War Two. In the 1930 s, realising that there was likely to be a war, the government needed to build a bombproof shelter and cabinet war rooms from which to carry on business should there be damage to 10 Downing Street and Whitehall. Beneath the Treasury building there was already an extensive basement, so this was expanded with a warren of tunnels and topped off with a thick concrete roof to withstand any enemy bombs. It was from the Cabinet War Rooms that Churchill, his cabinet and some 500 civil servants worked, and sometimes slept, throughout the War. The Cabinet War Rooms were left untouched from 1945, when they were no longer needed, until the 1980s when they were restored and opened to the public. Not all rooms are open to the public and the complex is believed to have around 200 rooms in total. Those which are open include the cabinet war room, where Churchill s war cabinet met, Churchill s office and his bedroom. This underground office block even included a canteen and a hospital. Visitors should allow at least 90 minutes to savour the atmosphere of this iconic Second World War site.
jack's trip - Day 02 HMS Belfast Morgan's Lane, Tooley Street, London SE1 2JH - +44 (0)207 940 6300 Open daily, 10am-5pm (to 6pm March-Oct). Last entry 1 hr before closing. Closed 24-26 December. Entry costs 12.95 for adults, 10.40 for senior citiz ens, 10 for students, 6.50 for unemployed, free for under 16s. Discounts for groups, disabled visitors Located in South East London, a short walk from London Bridge Station (Jubilee, Northern lines and National Rail). Tower Hill station also nearby (District and Circle Line). HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser ship that played a role in both World War II and the Korean War. It is now open to the public in London under the remit of the Imperial War Museum. Launched in March 1938, HMS Belfast was commissioned by the Royal Navy in 1939, not long before the outbreak of World War II. World War II During the war, HMS Belfast took part in the blockade on Germany, patrolling northern waters from the Scapa Flow naval base in Orkney. Having managed to intercept SS Cap Norte - a German liner - in 1939, HMS Belfast was then severely damaged by a mine later that same year. For almost three years, HMS Belfast would not sail as part of the fleet again, yet during this time, the ship was overhauled and massively upgraded. In fact, when she returned to the action in 1943, HMS Belfast was one of the Navy s most formidable vessels and certainly its largest. As such, she was designated the flagship of the Tenth Cruiser Squadron, which protected Arctic convoys travelling to the Soviet Union. Some of the most important successes of HMS Belfast was its contribution to the sinking of the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst during the Battle of the North Cape in December 1943, its assistance in disabling the German s last heavy surface unit, Tirpitz, in 1944 and its part in Operation 'Neptune', the naval element of the Normandy Landings of D-Day, also in 1944. End of World War II At the end of and after the Second World War, HMS Belfast carried out several roles in the Far East, including helping to evacuate prisoners from internment camps and taking part in peace keeping missions. Kore an War And Afte r HMS Belfast s next wartime role would occur in the 1950s, during the Korean War, where she was one of the first ships to go into action to support American and South Korean Troops. This gruelling undertaking would end on 27 September 1952, after which HMS Belfast was involved in a few peacetime missions before finally being taken to London in 1971.
jack's trip - Day 04 Big Red One Assault Museum Hameau Le Bray, Rout e D514, 14710 Colleville Sur Mer, France - +33 02 31 21 53 81 The Big Red One Assault Museum is open daily except Tuesdays, March- May and September- November, 10am- noon and 2pm- 6pm. From June- August, open daily 9am- 7pm. Admission costs 5 for adults, 3.50 for students, free for allied WWII veterans. The Big Red One Assault Museum is located in the town of Colleville Sur Mer, Normandy, around 50km northwest of Caen along route N13 (40 min drive). From Paris to Caen, take the TER train from Gare St. Laz are to Caen (2 hrs). The Big Red One Assault Museum in Normandy is dedicated to the efforts of the US First Infantry Division, nicknamed the Big Red One, particularly their part in the D-Day Landings on 6 June 1944. The Big Red One division were part of the infamous landing at Omaha Beach where, despite the difficulties encountered, they together with the 29th division went on to secure the areas around Saint- Laurent, Vierville and Colleville. The Big Red One Assault Museum chronicles this assault, including a film about its events. An hour- long guided tour is available upon request in English and French.
jack's trip - Day 04 Le Memorial at Caen Le Mémorial de Caen, Esplanade Général Eisenhower, 14050 Caen, Fran Le Memorial de Caen +33 (0)2 31 06 06 45 Le Memorial at Caen is open 9am-6pm (to 7pm 9 Feb-11 Nov). Closed 25 Dec-9 Feb. Closed Mondays 12 Nov-27 Dec. Last entry 1 hour and a quarter before closing. Entry costs approx 17 for adults, 14.50 reduced (inc ages 10-18, disabled persons, students and over 60s). Under 10s go free. Other discounts available. See the official site for tour rates and day pass rates. Le Memorial at Caen is approximately a 15 minute drive from Caen Railway Station. Taxis available at the station. The train journey from Paris Saint-Laz are station to Caen takes around 2 hours and trains run every 2 hours or so. By car from Paris, take the A13 motorway and the museum is in the north of Caen just north of exit 6 of the N814. Le Memorial at Caen is a museum of history based in northern France, not too far from the locations of the beaches where the Normandy Landings took place. Le Memorial at Caen explores the events which led up to the Normandy Landings of World War II, the Landings themselves, also known as D-Day, and the aftermath. Le Memorial at Caen also offers day trips and longer guided tours around the sites of the Normandy Landings, which start at Caen Railway Station. Beyond its Second World War exhibits, Le Memorial at Caen also looks at the Cold War and beyond, exploring the concept of peace in the context of different conflicts.
jack's trip - Day 04 Omaha Beach Museum Avenue de la Liberat ion, 14710 St Laurent Sur Mer, France Musee Memorial Omaha +33 02 31 21 97 44 The Omaha Beach Museum is open: 15 Feb-15 Mar: 10am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-6pm 16 Mar-15 May: 9:30am-6:30pm 16 May-15 Sep: 9:30am-7pm (to 7:30pm Jul-Aug) 16 Sept-15 Nov: 9:30am-6:30pm. Last entry 1 hour before closing. Entry costs 5.80 for adults, 4.60 for students (valid ID), 3.40 for children 7-15. The Omaha Beach Museum is located in the town of St Laurent Sur Mer, Normandy, around 50km northwest of Caen along route N13. The Omaha Beach Museum (Musee Memorial Omaha) tells the story of the D-Day Landings on Omaha Beach in Normandy on 6 June 1944 during World War II. Spanning an area of 10km, the Omaha Beach assault was the largest of the Normandy Landings and included, amongst others, the US 29th Division, the 1st US Division (Big Red) and the US 2nd Division. The Omaha Beach assault suffered several setbacks, including the fact that the area was unexpectedly well- defended by the Germans and that many soldiers did not land at their intended targets. Despite these setbacks, the allied troops managed to establish footholds in the German occupied territory, although they were unable to complete their ambitious mission targets. Through a series of exhibits, including dioramas, military uniforms, testimonials and photographs, the Omaha Beach Museum traces the events of the assault on Omaha Beach and Pont Du Hoc.
jack's trip - Day 05 Bat t le of Normandy Memorial Museum Boulevard Fabian Ware, BP 21215, 14402 Bayeux Musee Memorial de la Bat aille de Normandie +33 (0)2 31 51 46 90 The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum is open daily except on 25-26 December, 1 January and the last two weeks of January. Admission costs 6.50 for adults, 3.80 for children. The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum is located in Bayeux, Normandy, approximately 30km northwest of Caen and 260km from Paris. By car, Bayeux is accessible via motorway A13 onto the A84 and then the N13. By train from Paris s St Laz are station, get the line towards Cherbourg and alight at Bayeux (2hrs). From Caen, Bus Verts goes to Bayeux. The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum or Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie in Bayeux tells of the story of the World War II battle which loosened Germany s grasp on Europe and paved the way for an allied victory. Taking a chronological approach, the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum begins in the period prior to the initial assault, through to the infamous Normandy Landings on D- Day up to 29 August 1944. Displaying military objects from the time, including weaponry and uniforms, the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum offers an overview of the battle and an insight into the events, including a 25 minute film. A visit to the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum usually lasts around 1.5 hours.
jack's trip - Day 05 T he Juno Beach Centre Normandy Canadian Museum T he Juno Beach Cent re, Voie Des Français Libres, 14470+33 02 31 37 32 17 Courseulles Su Apr-Sept: 9:30m-7pm ; Mar-Oct: 10am-6pm ; Feb, Nov, Dec: 10am- 5pm. Last entry 45mins before closing. Closed in Jan and on 25 Dec. Guided tours of the beach take place Apr-Oct 11am and 3pm and Jun-Aug at 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Entry costs 6.50 full, 5 reduced. Museum plus park entry 10 full, 8 reduced. The Juno Beach Centre is located at the port of the town of Courseulles Sur Mer, Normandy, around 25km northwest of Caen. From Caen Train Station, Bus Vert (line 3) goes to the site (request that the driver stops at Courseulles at the Place du 6 juin. The journey takes 0.5-1hr. Sometimes, the bus doesn t start at Caen. In those cases, take tram A from Caen train station towards Caen Campus 2 and alight at Côte de Nacre train station, where the bus stop is. The tram takes around half an hour. The Juno Beach Centre, also known as the Normandy Canadian Museum, chronicles the Canadian contribution to the war effort during World War II. Based in the location assigned to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in the D- Day Landings, the Juno Beach Centre focuses especially on the events which took place on 6 June 1944, whereby Canadian forces took part in the invasion of Normandy. From photographs and documents to multimedia presentations and even a tour of the D- Day landing site and bunker, the Juno Beach Centre looks not only at the Canadian efforts in World War II, but paints a portrait of modern Canada. A visit usually lasts 1.5 hours.
jack's trip - Day 06 Sword Beach Sword Beach, Boulevard Marit ime, 14780 Lion-sur-Mer, France Ouist reham Contact local tourist office Sword Beach is open daily. Sword Beach is in the town of Lion-sur-Mer, Normandy, approximately 16km north of Caen. Sword Beach (Ouistreham) in Normandy, France was one of the sites of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944, D-day. Assigned to units of the British 3rd Division, the landings at Sword Beach were the most eastern part of Operation Overlord, the allied offensive which led to the liberation of German- occupied France and subsequently Europe in World War II.
jack's trip - Day 06 Point e Du Hoc Memorial Point e Du Hoc, of f rout e D514, Normandy, France - (703) 696-6900 (US) Admission to Point du Hoc is free at all times. Point du Hoc is seven miles west of Vierville sur Mer along route D514. Day tours are available from a variety of operators. The Pointe Du Hoc Memorial in Normandy, France commemorates the American Second Ranger Battalion who fought there on 6 June 1944 as part of the D-Day landings in World War II. The D-Day attack was a pivotal offensive which allowed the Allies to gain a foothold in Naz i-occupied France and begin the process of liberating Western Europe. Pointe Du Hoc overlooks Omaha Beach, which was a vital landing point for Allied troops during the D- Day operation. Led by Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder, the Second Ranger Battalion was tasked with capturing German artillery at Pointe Du Hoc to ensure the safety of the troops landing on the beaches below. The Pointe Du Hoc Memorial is a large granite structure which stands at the edge of the 100-foot cliffs these Rangers had to scale to complete their dangerous mission. The Rangers succeeded in their task, but suffered significant causalities in the process. Constructed by the French and now managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Pointe Du Hoc Memorial is a reminder of the heroism of the Rangers and the forced involved in the Normandy landings. The area surrounding the Pointe Du Hoc Memorial is also historically fascinating, littered by bomb craters, it is preserved in much the same state as it was immediately following D- Day.
jack's trip - Day 06 Gold Beach Museum Musee America-Gold Beach Centre Saint Exupéry, 2 Place Amiral Byrd, 14114 Ver Sur +33 02 31 22 58 58 Mer The Gold Beach Museum is open daily except Tuesdays April- September, 10:30am- 5:30pm (daily in July- August). Closed October- March except by prior arrangement. Entry costs 4 for adults, 2.40 for students (valid ID) and children. Group prices available. There is also a Normandy Pass ( 1 extra), allowing visitors entry to numerous museums in the region. The Gold Beach Museum is located in the town of Ver Sur Mer in Normandy, around 26km northwest of Caen. The Gold Beach Museum, known as Musee America - Gold Beach, chronicles the landings of the 69th Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division in Normandy on 6 June 1944 D-Day - as part of Operation Gold Beach. Led by Major General Douglas Alexander Graham and supported by the 79th (Armoured) Division, these troops succeeded in storming one of the central beaches of the Normandy Landings. The Gold Beach Museum tells the story of this victorious attack as well as the intelligence operation behind it. Guided tours of the Gold Beach Museum are available, but must be booked in advance for an added fee.
jack's trip - Day 07 Longues-sur-Mer Gun Bat t ery 14400 Longues Sur Mer, Normandy, France Bat t erie Allemande +33 02 31 21 46 87 The Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery is open daily July-August and during weekends April- June. In Sept- Oct, it is open weekends 10:15am- 11:45am and 2:15pm- 15:45pm. Entry costs 4 for adults, 3 for children. Under 10s go free. The Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery is located in the town of Longuessur- Mer, Normandy, around 40km northwest of Caen along route N13 (north of Bayeux). The Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery, also known as Batterie Allemande, was a German defensive battery in Normandy which played a big part in the German defence efforts during the Normandy Landings on D- Day, 6 June 1944. Made up of four 150mm guns, the Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery is located between the vital allied landing beaches of Gold and Omaha. It was captured by the British 231st Division. Today, the Longues-sur-Mer Gun Battery is open to the public.
jack's trip - Day 07 Utah Beach Memorial Utah Beach Memorial, Route D329, Normandy, France - (703) 696-6900 The Utah Beach Memorial is open daily. The Utah Beach Memorial overlooks Utah Beach and is located around 4.5km northwest of the town of Sainte- Marie- du- Mont, which is off Route N13. It is approx. 85km northwest of Caen. The Utah Beach Memorial is an American monument in Normandy which commemorates the World War II D-Day Landings. On 6 June 1944, as part of the Allied invasion of German- occupied Normandy known as Operation Overlord, the US 4th Infantry Division, part of the VII Corps, landed on Utah Beach. Comprised of a granite obelisk, the Utah Beach Memorial is a monument to the achievements of this division and their successful landings.
jack's trip - Day 07 Normandy American Cemet ery - Normandy American Cemet ery, Colleville-sur-Mer 14710, (703) 696-6900 (US) off route D514, Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is open daily, 9am- 6pm (to 5pm 15 April-15 September). Closed 25 December and 1 January. Normandy American Cemetery is located in the Northern French commune of Colleville- sur- Mer approximately 12 miles northwest of Bayeux and 170 miles west of Paris. If using a GPS system, the coordinates are N49 21.394 W0 51.192. Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is the burial site of 9,387 US military personnel who fought and died in World War Two. Most of the graves at the Normandy American Cemetery belong to participants in the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944, also known as D-Day. The Normandy Landings were a coordinated effort by the Allied forces to recapture European land taken by the Germans. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the Normandy Landings were a pivotal point in World War II, representing a significant victory for the Allies. However, this victory came at a high cost of life, a fact commemorated at Normandy American Cemetery. Normandy American Cemetery has a visitor centre, several memorials including Tablets of the Missing and orientation tables showing the battles which took place in the area. The visitor centre is itself a useful historical guide, offering an insight into the Normandy Landings and the soldiers who took part in the attack. Guides are on hand to answer questions.
jack's trip - Day 08 T he Pegasus Bridge Museum Mémorial Pegasus, Avenue du Major Howard - 14860 Ranville Memorial Pegasus +33 (0)2.31.78.19.44 The Memorial Pegasus is open daily: April- Sept 9.30am- 6.30pm; Oct- March 10am-5pm. Closed 15 Dec-31 January. Entry costs 6 for adults, 4.50 children 8+ and students. Discounts available. The Pegasus Bridge Museum is just next to the original place of the bridge in Normandy. It is located in Ranville, just east of the town of Bénouville and around 10km north of Caen (15 min. drive) along route D515 (exit onto D514 to Bénouville). The Pegasus Bridge Museum, officially known as Memorial Pegasus, in Normandy houses the famous Pegasus Bridge, which was captured by British forces on the night of 5-6 June 1944 during World War II. The capture of Pegasus Bridge was carried out in order to protect the eastern flank of the landing operations at Sword Beach as part of the Allied invasion of German- occupied Northern Europe. It played a vital role in aiding this attack, part of Operation Overlord, more commonly known as the Normandy Landings or D- Day. Visitors to the Pegasus Bridge Museum can not only learn about the events of the capture of this important strategic point, but also about the forces which carried it out, the British 6th Airborne Division. With displays of historic items such as weapons and gliders, documents, photographs and, of course, Pegasus Bridge itself, visitors can learn about various missions carried out by this division and about the capture of the bridge on D-Day, which has been nicknamed The Longest Day after the 1961 film based on the offensive. Guided tours are available and last around an hour and a quarter.
jack's trip - Day 08 Pegasus Bridge Pegasus Bridge, Rout e D514, 14970 Bénouville, France Caen Canal Bridge +33 (0)2 31 78 19 44 Open at all times. The site of Pegasus Bridge is located just east of the town of Bénouville and is around 10km north of Caen (15 min. drive) along route D515 (exit onto D514 to Bénouville). Pegasus Bridge, originally known as Caen Canal Bridge, in Normandy, France, was a vital strategic position during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of France. On 6 June 1944, Allied forces landed on Normandy s beaches, an event known as the Normandy Landings or D-Day. Sword Beach was to be a landing point for British forces and, just to its east, was Pegasus Bridge, a small crossing over the Caen Canal. In order to protect the soldiers who would land at Sword Beach from German attack, a unit of the British 6th Airborne Division, led by Major John Howard, was tasked with capturing Pegasus Bridge. They were also required to take the Merville gun battery in order to put it out of action. This would form part of Operation Tonga, in turn part of Operation Overlord. On 5 June 1944, under cover of darkness, Major Howard and his men landed in gliders near Pegasus Bridge and proceeded to capture it intact within the staggeringly short time of ten minutes. This action was vitally important, preventing the possibility that German forces could attack the eastern flank of the soldiers arriving at Sword Beach. The Merville gun battery and other bridges were also successfully taken by airborne forces. However, these victories came with heavy losses of around 2,000 men in all. Caen Canal Bridge was renamed as Pegasus Bridge on 26 June 1944 after the winged horse emblem on the uniforms of the airborne division. The events at Pegasus Bridge and D-Day in general also inspired the 1961 film, The Longest Day. There is currently a new bridge where Pegasus Bridge once stood, the original is now on display at the Pegasus Bridge Museum (just next to the bridge itself). There is also a plaque near the bridge setting out the events that occurred there.
jack's trip - Day 08 Musee Airborne Musee Airborne, 14 rue Eisenhower, 50480 Saint e-mère- Eglise, Frankrei St-Mère-Eglise Airborne Museum +33 (0)2 33 41 41 35 Musee Airborne is open daily 9:30am- noon and 2pm- 6pm (April- September open 9am- 6.45pm). Closed December and January. Entry costs 7 for adults, 4 for children (6-16) and free under 6s, disabled persons, World War II veterans and military personnel and firemen in uniform. Family/group discounts available. Musee Airborne is in St-Mère-Eglise in northern France around 25 miles south east of Cherbourg. The site is also approx 50 miles north west of Caen. Musee Airborne in St- Mère- Eglise in Northern France is dedicated to the role played by the American 82nd and 101st airborne divisions during the Normandy Landings of World War Two or "D-Day". Taking place in June 1944, the Normandy Landings were a collaborative effort between British, American and Canadian troops, who launched a massive attack by air, land and sea to capture German occupied Europe in an operation known as Overlord. St-Mère-Eglise was the site where American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions landed between 5 and 6 June 1944 and is today the home of Musee Airborne. Comprised of three main buildings, one of which is shaped like a parachute, Musee Airborne, also known as St- Mère- Eglise Airborne Museum, houses original aircraft from the Normandy landings, including a Waco Glider and the Douglas C- 47 plane Argonia together with weaponry, photographs, documentation and a film about the landings. Musee Airborne also explores the personal stories of the soldiers who took part in these operations.
jack's trip - Day 09 Musee de la Reddition Rue Franklin Roosevelt 12, 51100 Reims Museum of the Surrender 03 26 47 84 19 Musee de la Reddition is open daily except Tuesdays, 10am- noon, 2pm-6pm. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 14 Jul, 1 Nov, 11 Nov and 25 Dec. Musee de la Reddition is located in Reims, north of Place de la Republique. Reims can be reached by train from Paris (45 minutes) and by car (along the A4 toll road) in 1.5 hours. Musee de la Reddition (Museum of the Surrender) in Reims is the location where the German Third Reich officially surrendered to Allied forces in World War II. At the time, the building of Musee de la Reddition, once a school, acted as the European headquarters of US General Dwight D Eisenhower (later President Eisenhower). The surrender, which occurred in the early hours of 7 May 1945, took place in the war room of Eisenhower s headquarters, which were often known by the abbreviation of SHAEF. Today, visitors to Musee de la Reddition can see the actual table where terms of surrender were agreed, with its contents seemingly froz en in time. Even the maps which crowded the room s walls are still in place. Beyond its star attraction, Musee de la Reddition also boasts further exhibits, mostly World War II uniforms, photographs and some weapons, but the main reason to visit is to see the site where the Allies officially won the war.
jack's trip - Day 10 T he Merville Gun Battery Place du 9ème Bat aillon, 14810 Merville-Franceville Musée de la Batterie de Merville 02 31 91 47 53 The Merville Gun Battery Museum is open 15 March-15 Nov, 9:30am- 6pm (7pm June, July, Sept). Entry costs 5 (under 6s free and further discounts available). The Merville Gun Battery Museum is located just south of Merville in Normandy, approximately 20km northeast of Caen along route D515 (exit onto D514 towards Merville). The Merville Gun Battery was a German held fortification in Normandy which the Allies captured in the course of Operation Overlord in World War II. Operation Overlord was the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, in June 1944. This hinged on the ability of Allied troops to land at various beaches in Normandy, an event known as D-Day or the Normandy Landings. The Merville Gun Battery, which had four 100mm calibre guns (the Allies thought it had 150mm guns), was within firing distance of Sword Beach, which was designated as a British landing z one. This was a danger to the forces which were to land at Sword Beach and their supporting fleet. Thus, the 9th Battalion of the British Parachute Regiment led by Lieutenant- Colonel Terence Otway were tasked with capturing and disabling Merville Gun Battery before the landings were due to take place on 6 June 1944. The complex operation was subject to severe setbacks. Only 150 of the 750 troops who were supposed to arrive actually reached the site after troops were dropped in incorrect locations up to ten miles from the intended drop z one. Furthermore, very few supplies reached these troops. Yet, despite these problems, Otway and his men managed to improvise a new plan and successfully neutralised the Merville Gun Battery just hours before the Normandy Landings began. German troops managed to return to the fortification in the afternoon, but it now had only two working guns and posed a much smaller threat to troops landing at Sword Beach. In any event, it was recaptured by the Allies once again on 7 June. Today, the Merville Gun Battery is open to the public as the Musée de la Batterie de Merville, which stands as a museum, a memorial and an educational site.
jack's trip - Day 10 Dunkirk War Museum Court ines du Bast ion 32, Rue des Chant iers de France, 59140 Dunkerque Memorial du Souvenir +33(0) 3 28 66 79 21 Open daily April-September, 10am-noon and 2pm-5pm. For the rest of the year, call 00 33(0) 3 28 66 79 21. Entry costs 3.50 for adults, free for under 12s. Located in the north of Dunkerque in northern France near the harbour. The Dunkirk War Museum or Memorial du Souvenir tells the story of the famous World War II allied evacuation of Dunkirk. The Dunkirk evacuation took place between 26 May and 4 June 1940 and was an operation - codenamed Dynamo - to rescue hundreds of thousands of British, French, Canadian, and Belgian soldiers cut off by advancing German forces. At the time, the Germans had control of Calais and there were insufficient Royal Navy vessels to carry all of the troops. Thus, in a campaign widely regarded as miraculous, heroic and bold, the evacuation of Dunkirk was carried out not just by military ships but by civilian ones. Hundreds of small boats and ships including even fishing vessels and pleasure boats were mobilised for use in the mission. While this command was given by the admiralty, many of the boats were captained by civilians. Casualties ran into the thousands as did the number of soldier taken hostage yet, despite coming under heavy bombardment, these little ships together with the warships, managed to evacuate around 338,000 troops. Located in the former headquarters of the French army, The Dunkirk War Museum explores the build up to and the events which took place as part of Operation Dynamo. There is a film about Dunkirk and it also houses numerous objects relating to this event including weaponry, artillery and other pieces found on the beaches.
jack's trip - Day 10 Dunkirk Cemet ery and Memorial Rout e de Fumes, Dunkerque, France - +44 (0) 1628 507200 Open daily and entry is free. Located in the southeast of Dunkerque, France just south of the canal along Route N1. The Dunkirk Cemetery and Memorial are located near the site where hundreds of thousands of allied troops were evacuated as part of Operation Dynamo the historic campaign to rescue cut off troops from advancing German forces during World War II. Dunkirk had also played an important role as an allied base in World War I. Dunkirk Cemetery houses 460 World War I graves and 793 from World War II, of which 223 are unidentified. At the entrance to Dunkirk Cemetery is the Dunkirk Memorial, commemorating 4,500 British Expeditionary Force troops who died or were captured there during World War II and who have no known grave. TAGS: WW1 Battlefields in France
jack's trip - Day 11 Luxembourg Nat ional Museum of Milit ary Hist ory 10, Bamertal, L-9209 Diekirch Luxembourg Musee Nat ional d'hist oire Milit aire (352) 808908 Open daily, 10am-6pm. Closed 25 Dec, 1 Jan. Entry costs 5 full, 3 reduced, free for under 10s. Other discounts available. Museum is located approx 10 min. walk from Diekirch train station. The Luxembourg National Museum of Military History (Musee National d'histoire Militaire) in Diekirch focuses particularly on the World War II conflict known as the Battle of the Bulge. Using a combination of life- siz e dioramas and its comprehensive collection of US and national items, weapons, equipment, photos and maps, the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History offers an insight into both the military and civilian aspects of this battle. In addition to this main exhibit, the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History also offers up a more general history of its army. Those who want to explore more about the Battle of the Bulge can also use the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History as a starting off point as it has information on local tours and trails.
jack's trip - Day 11 General Pat t on Memorial Museum - Et t elbruck 5 rue Dr. Klein, L-9054 Et t elbruck, Luxembourg - 352 81 03 22 1 June -15 Sept open daily 10am-5pm. 16 Sept-31 May open Sundays only 2pm- 5pm. Entry costs 5 full, 3 children. Group discount available. Located within walking distance of Ettelbruck train station. The General Patton Memorial Museum in Ettelbruck is a World War II museum focusing on the German invasion of Luxembourg in 1940 and its subsequent liberation by US troops in 1944. With a range of weapons, equipment, information boards and over a thousand documents and photos, the General Patton Memorial Museum chronicles this episode in history. The museum s namesake is General George S. Patton Jr., the commander who led the 3rd U.S. Army in freeing Luxembourg.