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| D-Day |
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On 6 June 1944, the D-Day landings - code-named Operation 'Overlord' - began.
This month, we get ready to mark the seventieth anniversary of the D-Day landings. Learn how the Allied forces prepared for the landings on the beaches of Normandy, France at our museums and on our website. Did you know that HMS Belfast played a key role in the landings or that aircraft flew from IWM Duxford as air support on the day?
Join us to uncover the events of the D-Day landings and discover how they were a turning point in the Second World War. |
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| Discover the role HMSBelfast played |
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On 6 June 1944, HMS Belfastbecame one of the first ships to open fire on enemy positions as thousands of British, American and Canadian troops fought their way onto the beaches of Normandy to fight the Germans.
Seventy years on, come aboard to discover what living and working on board would have been like during the invasion.
Immerse yourself in the ship's history in our series of family activities. Receive your mission and follow our family trail to uncover more about the people and places involved in D-Day and witness a simulated firing of the ship's 4-inch guns by our live gun crew. There will also be a chance to meet HMS Belfast veterans and find out how secret messages were communicated at sea. |
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| D-Day Family Weekender | | Making Medals | | Tattoo T-shirts |
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| 24 and 25 May | | 24 May to 1 June and 7 to 8 June
11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm daily | | Part of Family Weekender on 24 and 25 May
and 11 August to 17 August |
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| Duxford's D-Day |
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In June 1944, RAF Duxford was home to the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces. Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts, its pilots flew missions on D-Day and in the days, weeks and months that followed.
Throughout May and June, we're tweeting, in real time, summaries that show how the 78th Fighter Group built towards D-Day operations, what they did on 6 June 1944 and how they supported the fighting in France. The summaries also show how daily life continued at RAF Duxford.
Follow @I_W_M to read the summaries from the 78th Fighter Group D-Day operations and look out for related posts on our Historic Duxford blog. |
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| D-Day Anniversary Air Show | | Spring Half Term Activities | | D-Day Landings Tours |
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| Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May | | Daily from Monday 26 May to Sunday 1 June | | Selected dates between 5 April and 6 June |
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| A Closer Look: D-Day |
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Jim Baker served in the Royal Marines during the Second World War and took part in the Normandy landings. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his actions. Jim is now a member of the Veterans North group at IWM North.
Learn more about Jim's experiences at war as well as other personal stories and join A Closer Look: D-Day, our 20-minute tours at IWM North to mark the seventieth anniversary of D-Day.
The tours take place on selected days throughout May and June at IWM North. |
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| Churchill D-Day figure | | Wartime newspaper | | Slingshot glider |
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| £195 | | £5 | | £2.50 |
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| Did you know? |
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In order to sustain the momentum of the D-Day invasion, the Allies needed to continually build up reinforcements of men and supplies in Normandy.
The planners responsible for 'Overlord' proposed creating two artificial harbours for protection from bad weather and rough seas - codenamed 'Mulberries' - by sinking outdated ships ('Gooseberries') and large concrete structures ('Phoenixes').
Adding floating roadways and piers (codenamed 'Whales') would allow the Allies to use the beachhead as an improvised port to provide a place to ferry men and cargo. |
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D-Day online exhibition
Discover more about the D-Day landings on the coast of Normandy which marked the start of the 'Overlord' campaign and led to the eventual Allied victory in Europe. Available on Google Cultural Institute. |
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D-Day Remembered by Richard Holmes
Published by Carlton Books in association with IWM
RRP £50 |
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The transformation continues at IWM London
Have you read our blog to get the latest news? |
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Discover the secret underground
at Churchill War Rooms |
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Britannia Waves the Rules
By Gareth Farr 27 May - 7 June 2014 at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
When Carl Jackson joins up, it's to escape the grim reality of life. But he comes home a changed man, in a play that brings the legacy of war right up to date. |
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