THEIR SACRIFICE OUR FREEDOM

Transcription

1 D-DAY MUSEUM Sainte Marie du Mont THEIR SACRIFICE OUR FREEDOM GROUP AND SCHOOL VISITS

2 AN EXCEPTIONAL SITE A HISTORIC LANDMARK EXTERIOR GUIDED TOURS Utah Beach was the site of the first landings by the Allies in the early hours of June 6, The beach was chosen with the objective of establishing a beachhead on the Cotentin Peninsula that would be able to take Cherbourg and its deep-water port. Accompanied by our professional guides, relive the events that turned the tide of war at Utah Beach and experience the emotion of walking in the footsteps of Europe s liberators. AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE... YOUR RENDEZ-VOUS WITH HISTORY Accompanied by a professional guide, relive the history of D-Day LANDING CRAFT An original Higgins Boat of the type used to land more than 23,000 Allied soldiers on D-Day. B26 Housed in a custom-built exhibit hall inspired by WWII aircraft hangars, discover an authentic B26 bomber Marauder, one of only six surviving examples of this aircraft in the world. FILM Victory in the Sand presents a dramatic overview of the bold Allied strategy and the operation s historic success. Winner of the 2013 CINE Special Jury Award for Best Museum Documentary. FLIGHT SIMULATORS Visitors young and old can practice piloting a B26 bomber over Normandy at the controls of the flight simulators. TREASURE HUNT Join Milton the Medic in the footsteps of our liberators! This educational experience is a unique way to learn more about the extraordinary events that changed the course of history. GIFT SHOP Located in the Museum lobby, our specialty gift shop offers a wide selection of books and DVDs on World War II, souvenirs, clothing, as well as a variety of regional products. Free parking 1 free entry for 20 paid adult admissions 1 free entry for 10 paid student admissions Free admission for bus driver and tour leader Dedicated spaces to accommodate groups (auditorium, conference room, privatization of the B26 hangar for receptions...)

3 RELIVE D-DAY The staff at Utah Beach is to be commended for making this museum a world-class museum that everyone should see one day. Jack PORT, D-Day veteran, 4th Infantry Division The Utah Beach Museum is stunning. It has become the most comprehensive location in Normandy to experience D-Day. We visited with our seven-year old children. All of us were completely captivated by the museum. The collections are very well presented and the explanations are thorough. August 2014, TripAdvisor The museum is well designed, moving, and respectful. The museum brings history to life. All Europeans should be able to learn about this history in this manner. No one can remain impassive, and the message lingers. The starting point for a deeper understanding of the importance of these events? September 2014, TripAdvisor I encourage everyone to visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum and Normandy. It will change you. You will never forget the sacrifices made so we can be free. Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst THE STORY OF THE MUSEUM JUNE 6, 1944 After a night at sea, a first wave of the 4th Infantry Division lands on Utah Beach at 6:30 a.m. The soldiers work their way through the German defenses under artillery fire. Fortunately, the actions of Air and Naval Forces have greatly weakened the enemy defenses, enabling the GIs to cross 700 meters of open sand to reach the protection of the anti-tank wall at the edge of the beach in just half an hour. In the confusion of the first hours of landing, the Allies have come ashore two kilometers south of the planned landing point. Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. makes the critical decision to nonetheless engage his men on the inland advance. He sends the order: We re going to start the war from here. By nightfall of June 6, 1944, 23,000 men will have landed on Utah Beach Elected mayor of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont in 1949, Michel de Vallavieille is deeply committed to remembering D-Day and commemorating the Allies who came to liberate Europe. In 1962, he decides to create the Utah Beach D-Day Museum as a living expression of the town s appreciation and gratitude for the Allies sacrifices. JUNE 6, 2011 David and Gene Dewhurst visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum on a family trip. In an exhibit, they recognize a photo of their father, Major David Dewhurst, posing at the foot of his B-26 Marauder with his crew and learn that he was a decorated squadron commander, who courageously led the final bombing run on the German stronghold WN5, moments before the Allied landing at Utah Beach. Inspired by their visit, the brothers decide to spearhead the major renovation and expansion project that had been under review for several years. They go on to finance over a third of this ambitious project. The Museum reopens with 23,000 square feet of gallery space showcasing the extraordinary success of one of the most complex military operations of the WWII. JUNE 6, 2014 The Utah Beach D-Day Museum is recognized internationally as being one of the premier sites for the remembrance and commemoration of the Battle of Normandy. Tim GRAY, Chairman, World War II Foundation

4 OUR EXHIBITS Learn about the extraordinary story of D-Day through our exhibits! THE GERMAN DEFENSES This gallery is located in one of the command bunkers of WN5, the German defensive position at Utah Beach. On this spot, Lieutenant Arthur Jahnke and his men prepare for a possible Allied invasion. This exhibit features German artifacts. NAVAL FORCES The 865 ships that make up Force U are deployed off the Normandy coast, preparing to attack German defenses on Utah Beach and to protect the Allied invasion force. On display is an original armored amphibious LVT2. THE AIR FORCES The Allied air forces are called upon to provide air support for both the naval forces and the landing forces. Waves of B26 bombers pound the enemy lines. Major David Dewhurst is squadron commander of one of these legendary planes; an original B26 is on display in the Museum s hangar. THE LAND FORCES 23,000 men land on Utah Beach on June 6, Brigadier General Roosevelt, cousin of President Franklin Roosevelt, lands with the first assault wave at 6:30 A.M. He is 57 years old. He comes ashore on an LCVP landing barge of the same type as the one displayed in the Museum. JUNE 6, 1944 D-Day at Utah Beach: at 11:00 P.M. on June 5, the first Allied bombs begin to fall near Saint Martin de Varreville. At 12:15 A.M., paratroopers begin dropping behind enemy lines. Operation Overlord is underway. On the second floor of the Museum, the visitor discovers spectacular panoramic views of Utah Beach in a gallery featuring numerous oral histories that bring to life all the complexities of Operation Overlord. THE ARTIFICIAL PORT During the months that follow D-Day, the American forces develop an artificial harbor at Utah Beach in order to supply the Allied offensive until Cherbourg and its deepwater port can be liberated. From June to November 1944, 40% of the American troops who arrive in Normandy will land at Utah Beach.

5 GROUP VISITS Make the most of your visit, plan your trip ahead! SCHOOL GROUPS A dedicated interpretive program OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + picnic + land sailing at Utah Avel Mor THE MARAIS AT THE CENTER OF THE BATTLE Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + picnic + visit the Maison du Parc Nature Reserve in Saint Côme du Mont ORGANIZE SEMINARS, EVENTS, MUSEUM PRIVATIZATION... Cost estimate on request. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + lunch at the Roosevelt + land sailing THE MARAIS AT THE CENTER OF THE BATTLE Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + lunch at Les Ponts d Ouve in Saint Côme du Mont + visit the Maison du Parc Nature Reserve UTAH BEACH AND D-DAY EXPERIENCE Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + lunch at Les Ponts d Ouve in Saint Come du Mont + visit the D-Day Paratroopers Historical Center EXTEND YOUR VISIT TO UTAH BEACH UTAH BEACH AND OPERATION NEPTUNE Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + lunch at the Pause Gourmande in Sainte Mère Eglise + visit the Airborne Museum UTAH BEACH AND THE AMERICAN SECTOR Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + lunch in Grandcamp Maisy + visit the Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument and the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach + visit the Overlord Museum Lunch room reserved for school groups Educational activities (treasure hunt on Utah Beach, educational tools adapted to suit your group s age ) run by one of our guides Guided tours for school groups Guided tours of battlefield Educational booklets available for download on our website Free parking Priority access Conferences: 60-seat auditorium with A/V equipement and sound system STEP BACK IN TIME Visit the Utah Beach D-Day Museum + picnic + visit the Cotentin Farming Museum in Sainte Mère Eglise

6 PREPARE YOUR VISIT CONTACTS UTAH BEACH D-DAY MUSEUM HOURS November to May: 10 AM - 6 PM June to October: 9:30 AM - 7 PM For December schedule, please contact us Last entrances one hour before closing time ADMISSION FEES Adult groups...6 VIP Tour...50 Guided battlefield tour...10 School groups... 3,50 Guided battlefield tour for school groups... 7,50 Treasure Hunt + Museum entry...6 Educational activities + Guided tour of the Museum...6 Designated overnight parking area for RVs (contact Utah Beach Campground for more information). TRAVEL TIME from Utah Beach to: Omaha Beach...35 min Pointe du Hoc...30 min Caen...1:00 Paris...3:30 Cherbourg...40 min Picnic area available. WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS CASH VOUCHERS SAINTE MARIE DU MONT TÉL. +33 (0) HOW TO BOOK: By phone: +33 (0) By musee@utah-beach.com OUR PARTNERS The Roosevelt Restaurant (0) Les Ponts d Ouve Restaurant (0) La Pause Gourmande Restaurant (0) Utah Avel Mor Land Sail (0) Parc Régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin +33 (0) Airborne Museum (0) Centre Historique des Parachutistes du Jour J +33 (0) La Cité de la Mer (0) CONCEPTION GRAPHIQUE : Trois Petits Points Communication Verson IMPRESSION : PRN - Caen/Carpiquet

7 THEIR SACRIFICE OUR FREEDOM SAINTE MARIE DU MONT. +33(0)