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Tag: World War II National Museum

Road to Tokyo: Part One

I previously authored a couple pieces describing the various Campaigns of Courage exhibit spaces at the National World War II Museum. However, I primarily restricted myself to the European side of the campaign. Well, I am back to rectify that with these next couple of pieces that center on, as you could have probably guessed from the title, the road to Tokyo. While the Pacific campaign of the war does not often receive the same publicity afforded to the more western campaign, that is not to discredit it in any way, shape, or form. In fact, the “Road to Tokyo” was responsible for a monumental event in history, the dropping of the atomic bomb. While I will make my way in due time to Truman’s landmark decision, I would like to proceed through the associated exhibits and stages of the campaign in the same order as the museum itself.

The Road to Tokyo: Facing the Rising Sun

Find yourself whisked away into history the moment you step foot into the first Pacific exhibit of the National World War II Museum. With a meticulous attention to detail, this exhibit space articulates with provocative detail the events surrounding that fateful day of December 7th, Pearl Harbor. Soon after the Japanese attack on our own soil, Germany and Italy declared war on us as well. Facing the rising sun of war, visitors find themselves immersed in a mentality characterized by the pervasive events of the 1940’s and World War II.

Briefing Room: Japanese Onslaught

Following your experience in the initial exhibit space, you will venture into the “Briefing Room: Japanese Onslaught.” The display does a fantastic job of emulating the very same atmosphere enveloping American military leaders at the time of Pearl Harbor. Three large windows showcase remarkable fighter planes igniting their engines over enemy waters in anticipation of battle. Besides the windows lie photographs of eighteen distinguished military leaders. These former leaders of the free world would then go on to develop the two-pronged Pacific invasion strategy that is also displayed to museum-goers in the very same space.

The New Naval Warfare: First Blood

After absorbing all the “Briefing Room” has to offer, set sail to “the New Naval Warfare: First Blood.” While the attack on Pearl Harbor was certainly devastating to American battleships, it did not hold the same effect on the Navy’s fleet of aircraft carriers and submarines. Fortunately, these vessels were already at sea during the attack and facilitated rapid deployment following the December 7th tragedy. This Pacific display illustrates the amazing day-to-day activities of officers and cadets onboard those deployed battleships, as well as depicts a flight deck that offers details surrounding Doolittle Raid, Coral Sea, and Midway.

Guadalcanal: Green Hell

Immerse yourself in Guadalcanal to truly appreciate all those who gave everything sacrificed for us. It was here that WWII’s first major amphibious landing took place. This immaculate gallery presents an emotionally resounding depiction of the invasion. Fantastic colors swirl and coagulate to present a nearly transcendental experience that pits every museum visitor in the center of it all.

Pacific Theater Challenges: Fighting in the Tropics

Modeling a traditional Japanese rice hut, this exhibit effectively communicates the daily challenges soldiers encountered while residing on the Pacific islands. Encountering a nearly non-existent infrastructure and an enemy capable of atrocity, soldiers were perpetually exposed to the horrific sights and sounds of widespread murderous conflict. Even when sleeping, the Allied forces were bravely staring death in the face, standing up for freedom, and securing our liberties.

Road to Berlin: Part Two

In a previous blog, I described some of the various galleries that compose the “Road to Berlin” campaign exhibit space in the New Orleans museum. This piece will be the continuation of that, describing the remaining galleries that construct “Road to Berlin.” They are listed below:

D-Day Theater: This gallery includes a large projection screen that displays a film describing Operation Doomsday in detail. This fascinating information is relayed in an exciting, engaging, and immersive manner that truly does justice to the courage and sacrifice of those who risked everything to protect our freedom. Ultimately, D-Day gave the Allied powers possession of strategic beachheads that in turn catapulted the West’s drive across France. This gallery also includes a small exhibit that names and pays respect to all those who lost their lives in this successful mission.

Northwestern Europe: Invasion & Liberation: After the hard-fought success at Normandy, there came a series of pivotal wins and losses for both sides. “Northwestern Europe” depicts the barriers encountered by Allied forces, ranging from the gruesome battles fought in the hedgerows to Operation Market Garden. Accompany the West’s quest through Europe while they free Paris and force the Nazis to retreat behind their own border.

Breaching the German Frontier: As the Allies reached the German border, they were halted in their tracks. The Siegfried line, a series of bunkers, minefields, and barbed wire presented a tremendous physical obstacle that was nearly impossible to overcome, for a time. The exhibit itself accurately resembles a destroyed German bunker, which enables the museum-goer to witness the incredible infrastructure of the Nazi defense. As for specific content, the space delves into stories surrounding the Allied advance, one of which is the capture of Aachen. A fascinating narrative, Aachen was the first German city to surrender.

Battle of the Bulge: This component of the exhibition space demonstrates the Battle of the Bulge, when Allied forces fought the Nazis in frigid temperatures for six full weeks. The Allies eventually repelled the Nazi counter-attack in an incredible display of valor, resilience, and bravery in the biggest battle of the war for the U.S. army.

Into the German Homeland: On penetrating the innermost reaches of German control, the Allied forces bore witness to some horrendous sights, sounds, and smells. This final component of the “Road to Berlin” exhibit space reveals, sparingly and tastefully, some of these atrocious sites. Detailing the Allied triumph over the German-controlled Rhine, this space takes visitors from the Allied soldiers’ first encounter with the Ohrdruf concentration camp (the first liberated death camp) all the way until the eventual surrender of Germany.

This is only a portion of the “Campaigns of Courage” exhibit space. “The Road to Tokyo” expounds upon its own stories, its own horrors, and its own triumphs.

 

Road to Berlin

World War II had a tremendous impact on our planet and our civilization as we know it today. Naturally, it behooves us to understand an event of such magnitude. Although, perhaps even more important than understanding, is remembering. Remembering those who gave their lives. Remembering why they gave their lives. Remembering why we must never repeat the genocide, the violence, and the scope of such a conflict ever again. This remembering is why the National World War II Museum in New Orleans is so dear to me. Its excellent exhibits demonstrate the resounding and rippling effects of the “war that changed the world.”

One of the most impressive exhibit spaces is the Campaigns of Courage section. This space is actually split geographically between the “Road to Berlin” and the “Road to Tokyo.” For the purposes of this piece, I will merely discuss the “Road to Berlin” section. Split between ten different galleries, this space takes the museum visitor on a journey through the West’s quest to successfully invade Hitler’s Europe. Look below for a brief synopsis and description of some of the galleries present in the “Road to Berlin.”

European/Mediterranean Briefing Room: This space, set in an abandoned room in North Africa, envelops you in the various and extreme pressures that surrounded the war as of November 1942. Learn the reasons for the foundation that molded the Western war strategy which forced Hitler from power.

Desert War-North Africa: This area explores the story of when the Allies attacked the Axis powers in Africa, thus securing a Mediterranean headquarters before invading Europe. Enormous at 1,500 square feet, this space depicts the Tunisian landscape with astounding accuracy.

Invasion of Sicily: As the name implies, this gallery expounds upon the invasion of Sicily and immerses museum-goers in the atmosphere that surrounded this pivotal moment in the Allied campaign. There are actually three separate exhibits that make up this space: “Operation Husky,” “Taking Palermo,” and the “Race for Messina.”

Italian Campaign: An absolutely integral component of Allied strategy, the “Italian Campaign” harbors some of the most significant battles that occurred during the war. Broken up between five exhibits, this gallery even includes oral histories where the voices of veterans recount their personal experiences and roles in the war.

Air War: This portion of “The Road to Berlin” recreates the scenery of a Nissen hut. Said huts were prominently used and manufactured in England to be utilized for storage and occasionally operational needs. The three exhibits composing this space are as follows: “First Strikes,” “Losses,” and “Aircrews’ Experiences.”

This quick list is just half of the exhibit spaces that make up the “Road to Berlin” section of the World War II museum. Considering the meticulous attention paid to subtle details, it is truly a remarkable experience just walking through the museum. Immerse yourself in the past and remember what World War II meant for us.

The remaining galleries and their descriptions can be found here.