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Among the exhibits on display
will be secret briefing documents and papers written by Eisenhower,
Montgomery and other commanders; models used by the planners; top-secret
papers, shown in public for the first time, relating to the double-agent 'Garbo',
whose messages helped to deceive the Germans about the location and timing
of the landings; tools used by one of the engineers who helped to build
the famous 'Mulberry' harbours; sabotage equipment issued to SOE agents to
hamper German defenders; a sickbag issued to soldiers in the landing
craft; the Victoria Cross awarded to Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis
of the Green Howards, the on!y VC to be awarded for actions on D-Day;
water-stained maps and equipment used by soldiers who landed on the
beaches; some of the only surviving photographs taken by Robert Capa of
the landings; the first news despatch to reach England from the beaches
and the Dickin Medal awarded to Gustav, the pigeon who flew through
anti-aircraft fire to deliver it; the diary of a nurse who dealt with the
first casualties; and a communion set and notebook carried by an army
chaplain who helped to bury the dead. There will be oral history
recordings made by those who took part in the landings, together with film
footage, photographs, diaries, and letters from the Museum's collections.
 The
exhibition is being mounted in conjunction with a major drama-documentary
to be shown on BBC One. The official book of the drama and exhibition is
D-Day by Dan Parry, published by BBC Books price £12.99.
ISBN - 0563521163 View
more details here
Imperial War Museum and
D-Day
The Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944 - Operation Overlord - came
after five years of war with Germany. It was the biggest and most complex
combined operation in history, involving co-operation between the naval,
air and ground forces on an unprecedented scale and marked the beginning
of the end of the Second World War.
2004 is the 60th anniversary of this landmark event and at the five
branches of the Imperial War Museum you can discover the fascinating
stories of the people involved, from generals and political leaders to
soldiers and civilians, through a series of special exhibitions and
events.
Imperial War Museum London
This internationally acclaimed Museum tells the story of 20th century
conflict through unique exhibits and extraordinary personal stories. The
Museum includes a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Holocaust,
galleries that contain one of the leading collections of 20th century
British art and a changing programme of special temporary exhibitions.
From April 2004
To mark the anniversary, the Imperial War Museum London is mounting a
special temporary exhibition. The exhibition will look at the personal
experiences of some of those who took part in this remarkable event. It
will include film, photographs and documents relating to the planning of
the operation, the dramatic landings and the aftermath.
Cabinet War Rooms
Cabinet War Rooms was the secret underground HQ used by Winston Churchill
and his staff during the Second World War. Concealed beneath the streets
of Westminster, the site was operational around the clock, it remained the
nerve centre of Britain's war effort until the lights were finally
extinguished in August 1945.
29 May- 6 June 2004 'The Night Before D-Day'
A specially commissioned play will be performed daily. The drama focuses
on the final hours of planning and preparation before the crossing of the
Allied fleet and captures the tense atmosphere of the final build up to
the invasion of France. Throughout the week, illustrated talks will be
available for adult and children's groups, focusing on Churchill's close
involvement in the planning of D-Day.
Wartime documents and correspondence will also be on display, including
the letter written by the King urging Churchill not to undertake the
hazardous voyage to the beaches of Normandy.
HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast played a leading role in the Normandy landings. As part of the
Eastern Naval Task Force, she supported the British and Canadian assaults
on 'Gold' and 'Juno' beaches and, at 5.30am on 6 June 1944, was one of the
very first ships to open fire on German positions.
29 May-6 June 2004
HMS Belfast will be holding a week-long series of activities to mark the
dramatic events of 1944. To recreate the atmosphere, genuine D-Day
broadcasts will be played and Second World War footage of the cruiser in
action will be shown on screens around the ship.
Re-enactors, in authentic costume, will conduct D-Day briefings and
demonstrate how the gun turrets worked. The six-inch guns themselves will
be fired on 5 and 6 June and there will be a special 1940's dance night
onboard on 4 June.
Imperial War Museum Duxford
In June 1944, Duxford was an operational airfield and home to the American
78th Fighter Group. They were heavily involved in the action over the
beaches on D-Day, providing aerial support and fighter cover in their P-47
Thunderbolts. Today, Duxford features The Normandy Experience, the largest
permanent D-Day exhibition of its kind in the UK, which presents vehicles
and artillery pieces in dramatic scenes. Experience the sights and sounds
of D-Day in this stunning exhibition and hear the voices of some of the
men who took part. Also included are displays about the most famous
British soldier of the Second World War, Monty - Field Marshal Viscount
Montgomery.
29 May-6 June 2004
To mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day, Duxford will host a week of varied
events culminating on Sunday 6 June with the spectacular D-Day Anniversary
Air Show. This major air display will feature aircraft of the type that
took part in the invasion, tanks and military vehicles as wel! as a
service of remembrance in honour of those who gave their lives, ft will
also provide a focal point for those wishing to commemorate D-Day in the
UK.
Imperial War Museum North
On the banks of the Manchester ship canal in Trafford, Imperial War Museum
North tells the stories of the war and conflict have shaped the lives of
British and commonwealth people from the First World War to the current
day. Recently awarded the accolade of North West Visitor Attraction 2003,
this stunning Museum is the first UK building to be designed by
internationally-acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind,
29 May- 6 June 2004
IWM's newest Museum will be marking the anniversary of D-Day with a wealth
of personal stories. Photography and archive film will be joined by the
voices of some of those who were involved in 1944, encouraging young
people today to understand their own histories.
A week-long programme at Imperial War Museum North will include a display
in the WaterWay exhibition space on D-Day preparations, film screenings,
performances with the Royal Exchange Theatre, special tours and school
workshops.
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D-Day
Sixtieth Anniversary Exhibition - 7 April 2004 - May 2005