SHAEF Commander Gen. Eisenhower and British P.M. Winston Churchill, during World War II in London. Note SHAEF "Flaming Sword" patch on Eisenhower's coat.
9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul]. 9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France. 9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured. Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.
U.K. Military Museums
Museum
of Army Transport offers an outstanding collection of road and rail
vehicles, with emphasis on WW II era but including others as well. A unique
exhibit is the Blackburn Beverley, the worlds last remaining fully intact
Beverley Transport Aircraft. Flemingate, Beverley, East Yorkshire UK.
+44 01482 860 445, +44 01482 872 767 fax.
Bletchley Park was the site of codebreaking activity in England during WW II, one of the deepest secrets
of the war. Now a museum featuring not only the original code and cipher
machines and codebreaking exhibits, but also some of the world's first
computers, military vehicles, Churchill memorabilia and much more. Wilton
Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EF. +44(0)1908 640404
Britain at War. How did
it really feel to be a British citizen during the Blitz of the Second
World War? Get the closest possible insight into what life was really
like. The Britain at War Experience recreates the LONDON BLITZ in all
its fury with special effects highlighting the sites and sounds, the artifacts,
and even the dust and smoke of an air raid at its height 64 - 66 Tooley
Street, London Bridge, London SE1 2TF England. +44 020 7403 3171, +44
020 7403 5104 fax. britainatwar@dial.pipex.com
East of England Tank Museum
specialises in restoring, preserving and exhibiting historic military
vehicles from all over the world. In addition to their base in a historic
barn complex in rural Essex, vehicles can be seen at various sites around
Britain. Collection includes examples of Centurion, Chieftain, M60A3,
T55, SA8 ‘Gecko’ (Strela 3) FV432, FV434, Stalwart, Ferret and
Saladin. Contact via web page only.
The Imperial War Museum (London, Duxford, and other locations), is unique in its coverage of conflicts, from the First World War to the
present day, particularly those involving Britain and the Commonwealth.
The Museum encompasses multiple locations (each covered in detail on the IWM web
site), including the London IWM, the Duxford aviation museum, IWM North, Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Roons, and the HMS Belfast. The IWM Collections Website has a wealth of additional material including photographs, works of art, audio extracts, aircraft and vehicles, documents and library material as well as detailed catalogue information on over 160,000 items.
The Isle of Wight Military History Museum houses a good collection of WW II and post-War tanks and other vehicles, many of which are running, and take part in moving displays. Tank rides available. 490 Newport Road, Cowes, PO31 8QU. +44 01983 527411.
The Manx Aviation and Military Museum is dedicated to the memory of those from the Isle of Man who served in the military. Exhibits represent militaria, civil, and wartime aviation with artifacts such as a Vickers machine gun and tripod, a Bren gun, and mannequins in uniform. Other exhibits present the history of aviation on the Isle of Man, models, wartime stories and facts, photographs and recovered aircraft crash parts and more. The Museum of the Manx Regiment is included with uniforms, weapons, equipment and photographs. +44 01624 829294.
Military Vehicle Museum.
A museum of WW2 and other militaria created by members of the North East
Military Vehicle Club. Exhibition Park Pavilion, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2
4PZ UK. +44 0191 281 7222 miltmuseum@aol.com
At the National Army
Museum, the British Army's own museum, you'll discover the compelling
story of the British soldier in peace and war. Come and see how Britain's
soldiers have lived, worked and fought - from the 15th Century to the
present day. Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HT England. +44
020 7730 0717, +44 020 7823 6573 fax.
Royal Signals Museum.
The national museum of Army communications, set up to preserve and display
the heritage of the Royal Signals, to tell the story of military communications
from the Napoleonic Wars onwards and to provide research, educational
and recruiting support facilities. Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, Dorset
DT11 8RH England
The Tank Museum in Bovington
Dorset houses the world's largest and finest collection of Armoured
Fighting Vehicles from unique World War I tanks to the latest main battle
tank of the British Army - Challenger. The Museum has a collection of
almost 300 vehicles from over 26 countries. Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG
UK. +44 01929 405096, +44 01929 405360 fax. Admin@tankmuseum.co.uk
95th Bomb Group Hospital, based at Horham Airfield, is being restored to its World War II condition and appearance, as a museum and memorial to the men and women who served with the 95th Bomb Group and those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. +44 01379 870514.
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