A look back at the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings Normandy Victory Museum

In June 2019, the Normandy Victory Museum took part in the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, in a context of high attendance across Normandy.

The public turned out in force for the first edition

For several days, the museum welcomed a large public, who came to attend the various activities offered on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

On June 4th alone, nearly 10,000 visitors came to the site, contributing to sustained attendance throughout the period. More broadly, these commemorations attracted a significant international audience to Normandy, with over a million visitors on June 5th and 6th.

Demonstrations, vehicles and entertainment

The museum's grounds were particularly lively, with numerous demonstrations and gatherings of military vehicles. In partnership with the Saumur Tank MuseumSeveral German and American tanks were on display, including a Panther, a Panzer IV, an M10 Destroyer, and the Sherman M4A3E8 used in the film Fury. The event was very popular with visitors.

Le Normandy Victory Museum also welcomed the arrival of around forty German vehicles from the Notek column, one of the largest concentrations of this type in Europe, which came to conclude its journey at the museum.

Other activities punctuated these days, with demonstrations, equipment presentations and several concerts organized in connection with the A10 Canteen.

Meetings and defining moments

Several highlights marked this edition, starting with the screening of the documentary The Girl Who Wore FreedomPresented in the presence of the film crew. This project, led in particular by Christian Taylor, Terry Jun and Flo Boucherie, retraces the story of Dany Patrix and is part of an effort to transmit memory.

The museum also welcomed several personalities, including veteran Tom Rice of the 101st Airborne, who returned to parachute jump 75 years after the events, as well as General Brian Winski, commander of the 101st Airborne Division.

An unplanned meeting with James K. Kunkle, a former US Air Force pilot who knew the A10 Airfield in 1944, also marked these days, offering a moment of spontaneous exchange with visitors and the museum team.

Finally, a book signing session organized with the WW2 Foundation brought together several actors from the Band of Brothers series, including Shane Taylor, Dale Dye, Rick Warden and Peter O'Meara, who were welcomed by a large audience.

Between the large crowds, the diversity of the entertainment, and the presence of prominent figures, this 2019 edition was a memorable moment in the history of the Normandy Victory Museum.