Visiting Normandy in France.....? Then you may find that the following information may be very useful.
Benouville, Normandy
Visit the Memorial Pegasus Museum close to the new bridge over the Caen Canal. The original Pegasus Bridge- which it has replaced, can be seen in the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus Museum at Ranville, where it has been preserved along with a Bailey Bridge, and a full sized replica of the Airspeed Horsa Glider plus a Bofors Gun, an American Half Track, an anti aircraft gun, and many other artifacts. The inside of the museum is fantastic, and includes a continuous film on the activities on and after D-Day, and a great shop bursting with WW2 books, cards, prints and memorabilia, and is still a great place to meet Veterans, the people who made this place such an important part of modern history.
Contact www.memorial-pegasus.org
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Genealogy.
Are you looking for a loved one, lost in conflict perhaps, or just trying to build your family tree ?
The person you need is Jeremy Stuehmeyer of jsfamilytrees.com. who is a professional Family Tree researcher who can also give you information on Military & House History - Adoption Records and much more. Tel: (0)1423 330 560 or (0) 798 0000 330.
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Are you or your family of French extraction?
If you are French or have French family contacts, then Patrick Bouillon, the celebrated French Genealogist would be delighted to help you to track your family history. He speaks excellent English, and can be contacted by email at lepredelaserve@orange.fr / bouillon.patrick@wanadoo.fr
Patrick also runs an excellent B&B in the Burgundy Region of France, details of which can also be found by clicking on the 'LINKS' (accommodation) button on the top bar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If your interest lies in any aspect of WW2, then please check out the sites below.
For WW1 and other interests on this site, please also click on the 'BattlefieldsTOURS' button on the top bar.
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Or, perhaps you are a 'Hands On' person and like to do some Target rifle shooting yourself. Look no further and click Here for details of the LLangollen Rifle and Pistol Club in the UK that has an outdoor Fullbore Shooting Range at Sealand in Cheshire, and an indoor range for black powder and long pistol near Market Drayton in Shropshire. Your contact, John Wright.
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The Royal Navy
Whilst the amazing events of D-Day, 1944 were basically concerned with the invasion of French soil by thousands of British and Commonwealth troops, one must not forget that without the massive effort by the Royal Navy who supplied in the region of 5,000 ships for the joint effort, D-Day simply would not have happened.
So if your interest is in affairs of the sea, particularly in the period of sail, then you must visit this site: www.britishnavalhistory.com
This is a brand new site which promises to hold the interest of anyone who is interested in the history of The Royal Navy and sailing ships in particular. A speciality of the site is a Virtual tour of HMS Victory, where Lord Nelson fought and died.
Please contact the site if you feel that you have any pictures or content that may be relevant.
Some interesting events In UK
The Story of the building of the full size replica of the Airspeed Horsa Glider which took place at RAF Shawbury, near Shrewsbury in Shropshire. NOTE !! Due to the RAF requiring more space at RAF Shawbury, the Horsa Glider and the WACO glider, now both completed have now been moved out of Shawbury and have been relocated.
The Horsa and the WACO have both gone to RAF Cosford museum, but initially they will be in a storage hangar whilst room is made available in the Museum. Two other aircraft which were refurbished at RAF Shawbury - the Dakota (also used for towing the Horsa) and the Tiger Moth have also moved out. The Dakota has gone to the RAF Transport Command Museum at North Weald, and the Tiger Moth has been sent to the Army Historic Aircraft Flight at Middle Wallop.
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THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM.
Visit the National Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, is a beautiful memorial ground to remember those killed in conflict.
The Arboretum contains over 50,000 trees, with more being added each year. There are over 150 memorials and plots for the armed forces, civilian organisations and voluntary bodies who have played a part in serving the country; and even HMS Amethyst's cat.
One of the latest additions to the Arboretum is the Combined Operations Memorial for those killed in the liberation of France, on and after D-Day, June 6, 1944 http://www.combinedops.com/Combined_Ops_Index.htm
NOTE; The Dedication of the new Combined Operations Memorial was held at the National Arboretum on July 4, 2013. To see the finished Memorial CLICK HERE.
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~~~ Links to more Military Museums in UK and Ireland~~~
The Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers www.inniskillingsmuseum.com
The Queens Lancashire Regiment www.qirmuseum.org.uk
The Royal Regiments of Fusiliers www.rrflondon.2day.ws
The Royal Welch Fusiliers www.rwfmuseum.org.uk
The South Wales Borderers www.rrw.org.uk
The Liverpool Scottish www.liverpoolscottish.org.uk
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are interested in Military History - then a subscription to the "Britain At War Magazine" is a must. It is Britains best selling military history magazine. Covering subjects from the 20th century to the current period.
To get your subscription, click HERE
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Are you into re-enactment? Do you need uniforms or military equipment or de-activated / replica weapons of any sort, if so then you need to visit The Soldier of Fortune (www.1944AIRBORNE.com) if you need it, they have got it. Situated in a beautiful area of North Wales, they have a 4,000 sq ft store that will keep you busy for hours. Phone 01490 412225. Alun, Peter or Graham will be only to pleased to hear from you. Tyn-y-LLidiart Ind Estate, Corwen, Denbighshire, North Wales Post Code LL21 9QX
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The Fallen Heroes of Normandy website is a free-to-access database that will, over the next few years, provide details of those who were killed, of all nationalities, during the Second World War and who now rest in one of the many war cemeteries, churchyards or communal cemeteries in Normandy, France. Visit The Fallen Heroes of Normandy Project Website
www.fallenheroesofnormandy.org Documenting and photographing over 25,000 British and Commonwealth graves, 9,000 American, 600 Polish, 100 French and 70,000 German headstones, this website offers a unique view and perspective on the fallen in Normandy.
WANTED Are you able to provide details any photographs of, or further information about, any servicemen, of any nationality, who died between 1940 and 1945 and who now rests in Normandy? if so, please look at our Appeal for Information and Submission Guidelines page by clicking here
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Going abroad ? Check out the rate of Exchange £STG/EURO. Click HERE
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BOOKS for Children and adults
The Adventures of a Dog called Snowy is a charming tale for children of all ages (5 to 85 !)about a lovely white dog that was stolen from its owners. The story involves the dog's escape and his journey all the way back to his home, and the friends in the animal world that he met on the way.
The book is illustrated by the author with nine full page paintings.
The ISBN number is: 9781907552618 and is available from Amazon
at £5.99
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This is a Novel based on the true story of The U534 German U-boat, which was one of several trying to escape to South America at the end of WW2. There was reputed to be Gold on board, and also more than one high ranking Nazi, one of which was reputed to be Martin Borman. The U-boat was attacked and sunk by the RAF Coastal Command near Sweden but every one on board got out, although some crew members died. In 1993 the boat was recovered by a Danish Millionaire who had the boat stripped, but it was said that no gold was found. But they may well have looked in the wrong places because........well , you should read it and find out.
The ISBN Number is: 978 865 7674101 and the book is available on Kindle and as a paperback from Amazon at £5.25
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Military Models:
Do you like military models? Dan Taylor is a specialist modelmaker and historian on D-Day and the battle of Normandy.
He has a range of museum quality model kits in 1/76 scale and builds bespoke dioramas to order.
To go direct to his website, click HERE
He can also be contacted at info@dantaylormodelworks.com or by telephone on 01732 840562.
This is one of Dan Taylor's fantastic models, an LCT (Landing Craft, Tanks ) which was typical of many LCT's that took place in the Normandy landings, in 1944.
Contact Dan now for a catalogue of his models.
Contact Dan now for a catalogue of his models.
