COBRA 44 – 2021 Edition

July 22 to 25, 2021 at the Normandy Victory Museum

A few weeks after the Normandy landings, the Allies were locked in a war of attrition, with the hedgerows of the Normandy bocage serving as ambush positions for the Germans. The advance was more difficult than expected, and only a large-scale operation could open the way to the East and Paris. This was Operation Cobra and the breakthrough to Avranches led by General Omar Bradley. This operation marked the victorious end of the Battle of the Hedgerows and finally opened the road to the Liberation.

For four days, Cobra 44 invites you to (re)discover and understand this key episode in the Battle of Normandy. Here’s a summary of the 2021 program. This year’s program can be viewed in our agenda.

Browsing by date

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Guided tour of the museum by Patrick Fissot, co-founder
40s-themed meal with live entertainment

Over the two days, Normand Kits, specialists in militaria models, will be presenting and selling their models.

Friday, July 23, 2021

“A10 Airfield” re-enactment camp
Demonstrations of the ENIGMA coding machine
Conference “The American Armored Force” by Christophe PRIME, historian
Book signing of “Granville et la Seconde Guerre mondiale” by Didier Lejeune
Swing concert by the group Dancing Day

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Signing of the comic book “Le Petit Théâtre des Opérations” by the author, Julien Hervieux
Conference « Le Mythe ENIGMA » by Edmond KERN, crypto enthusiast!
Demonstrations of the ENIGMA coding machine
Book signing of “Granville et la Seconde Guerre mondiale” by Didier Lejeune
Screening of the award-winning webseries “Résistance
Conference by Julien Hervieux, the history popularizer
Concert by the band Band of brothers – Music from WWII

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Book signing by the authors of the comic book “NORMANDIE JUIN 1944, la bataille des haies” (NORMANDY JUNE 1944, the battle of the hedges)
Conference « Le Mythe ENIGMA » by Edmond KERN, crypto enthusiast!
Demonstrations of the ENIGMA coding machine

La bataille des haies captured on film by young filmmakers from Normandy, screening of two short films
These two films, both made as part of the 75th anniversary of the landing, have a lot in common. First of all, they each depict in their own way the battle of the hedges, that is to say the fights which took place after D-Day, in the so-called American sector of the battle and then, although having few resources, the quality is greatly there thanks to the strong impact of the message and the respective talents of these two young Norman directors.
After the screening, the audience had a chance to chat with them.

A Rose Died in July, by Orian Ziad

When the curator of a museum asks a veteran about a helmet from the Second World War, the latter immediately recognizes the rose painted on this dented metal but also the fatal impact of a bullet. His memories take us to the front of the terrible battle of Normandy…
Duration: 19 mins

La cabane, by Maxime Chefdeville

At the end of June 1944, the Americans trampled in the Normandy countryside. As a group of soldiers prepare to cross a field, the Germans engage in combat. But an event stops the hostilities. In fact, a child has just appeared in the middle of the battlefield…
Duration: 15 mins

… 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.