75th anniversary of D-Day
June 4-6, 2019 at the Normandy Victory Museum
During these few days dedicated to the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings, visitors, tourists, veterans and the museum team experienced emotional moments that will remain forever engraved in their hearts. Here’s a retrospective. This year’s program can be seen in our agenda.
There were
Military vehicle demonstrations and rallies
In partnership with the Musée des blindés de Saumur, we welcomed several German and American tanks (Panther, Panzer 4 and an M10 Destroyer) for several days of demonstrations in front of the museum. There was also the Sherman M4A3E8 tank that took part in the filming of “Fury” with Brad Pitt.
On 4 June 2019, 40 German vehicles from the Notek Column, part of one of Europe’s largest concentrations of exceptional machines, completed their historic journey at the Normandy Victory Museum. A journey full of pitfalls and unforeseen events completed by some courageous drivers.

Une projection exclusive du film : ” La fille qui portait la liberté “
“The girl who wore freedom” tells the story of a little girl, Dany Patrix, who lived through the occupation and liberation of Normandy in Sainte-Marie du Mont. Her story is the central theme of this documentary film, which was screened exclusively in our cinema in the presence of the film crew.
A project initiated by Normandy Stories and financed with the help of numerous donors, including the Normandy Victory Museum, other emblematic museums in our region, local authorities, various associations and American funds. The project team includes Christian Taylor and Terry Jun, both directors, writers and executive producers, as well as Flo Boucherie, daughter of Dany Patrix Boucherie and producer.
Information on the website: https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com
Concerts on the theme of Liberty
We all remember the festive refrains of the American tunes that floated over Normandy at the Liberation. To mark the 75th Dday, the A10 Canteen (partner restaurant) organized a series of concerts featuring groups such as Nashville Exile, Madeeson and Co, Les Duchess of Swing and The Mash Farrows.

Moving encounters with veterans
Below Tom Rice, the American veteran of the 101st Airborne, who came 75 years later to parachute again over the Carentan marshes. (Read a nice article about him) and honored us with a visit to the museum.

A visit from General Brian Winksi of the 101st Airborne
General of the 101st Airborne Brian Winksi and Camp Chief Bryan Barker also turned up and took part in a guided tour led by Patrick Fissot, collector and one of the museum’s founding members.
An impromptu meeting with a former US Airforce pilot, James K. Kunkle
The Normandy Victory Museum had the honor of meeting a former US Airforce pilot who flew at A10 Airfield in 1944. It wasn’t planned, as the veteran was traveling with his family. James K. Kunkle, then aged 97, had come with his family to visit the museum and tell his fascinating story. It was a moving moment for his family, other visitors and our team.
A signing session with the cast of Band of Brothers
In partnership with the WW2 Foundation, we organized a signing session with the actors from the Band of Brothers series, directed by Steven Spielsberg and Tom Hanks. Twenty of them were welcomed by an enthusiastic audience: Shane Taylor (Doc Roe), Dale Dye (Robert Sink), Rick Warden (Harry Welsh), Peter O’Meara (Norman Dike) to name but a few.
The Enigma conference hosted by Edmond Kern
The Normandy Victory Museum also organised lectures on the Enigma machine with Edmond Kern, a collector and Enigma specialist. It was also an opportunity to offer our public a lecture on the Enigma coding machine, a copy of which is on display in the museum. The talk was given by Edmond Kern, collector and eminent specialist in this machine used to decipher the strategies of the German army.
Key figures
- From 1 to 3 June 2019, the museum welcomed around 8,000 visitors, and on 4 June, the flagship day, almost 10,000 visitors attended the many events.
- 500 veterans in Normandy.
- 200 commemorative ceremonies organised between 04 and 09 June.
- 1,000 paratroopers dropped on 09 June at La Fière.
- Over a million visitors in Calvados and La Manche on 5 and 6 June 2019
… upcoming events
Exhibition: “Jean Gabin, la guerre c’est pas du cinéma
[ Apr. 23 to May 20, 2024 ] The exhibition is extended!!! Discover the commitment of legendary actor Jean Gabin during the Second World War. An exhibition presented in partnership with the Musée Jean Gabin and the Musée des blindés de Saumur.
D-DAY 80 – 80th anniversary of Normandy Landing
[ May 31 – June 9, 2024 ] An exceptional D-Day anniversary will take place in 2024. The whole of Normandy is mobilized to pay international tribute to those who reopened the gates of freedom in Europe. The Normandy Victory Museum is preparing a rich program for visitors. It will soon be online. Sign up to receive it.
COBRA 44 – Commemorative Festival – 2024 Edition
[ 20 – 21 July 2024 ] For two days and for the fourth edition of the COBRA 44 festival, the Normandy Victory Museum commemorates the end of the Battle of the Hedges and becomes an open-air museum. The program will be online soon. Sign up to receive it.
Push open the doors of history
Visit the Normandy Victory Museum Museum of the Battle of the Hedges. We are in Normandy, Manche dpt, France