D-Day on the 91Èȱ¬
Events
91Èȱ¬ Roadshows
Ìý
To mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the 91Èȱ¬ is running
a series of World War Two story-gathering roadshows at key museum sites
on the dates below.
Ìý
Visitors will be able to share their wartime experiences,
contribute stories to the bbc.co.uk's WW2 People's War archive, meet
veterans, view films and special exhibitions and attend lectures and
talks.
Ìý
26 May onwards - Bedford Civic Theatre
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ WW2 story-gathering roadshow with supporting World
War Two activities and events from local organisations taking part in
the Bedford at War project.
Ìý
20 May - Tank Museum, Wareham, Dorset
Ìý
The roadshow is part of the Tankfest, the largest gathering
of military fighting vehicles in the world.
Ìý
A particular feature will be the opportunity to see
the only surviving working famous German Tiger Tank in operation.
Ìý
British and American war veterans will be present, including
one veteran who destroyed three Tiger Tanks.
Ìý
6 June - Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovil, Somerset
Ìý
Roadshow visitors will be able to attend a lecture
about the involvement of the Fleet Air Arm on D-Day.
Ìý
Three aircraft involved in the action will be on display:
a Swordfish, an Avenger and a Seafire.
Ìý
There will be a service of remembrance at the Museum
Chapel.
Ìý
6/7 June - Yorkshire Air Museum,
Halifax Way, Elvington, York
Ìý
As part of the 91Èȱ¬ roadshow, visitors will be able
to enjoy exhibitions, films, air shows and talks.
Ìý
A special feature will be the 1944 timeline, which will
enable visitors to follow the social and military history of the period.
Ìý
The only surviving Halifax bomber will be on display.
Ìý
13 June - RAF Gosford, Shifnell, Shropshire
Ìý
One of the largest annual outdoor events in the West
Midlands attracts more than 45,000 spectators.
Ìý
As well as the 91Èȱ¬ WW2 Roadshow, visitors will be entertained
by a thrilling five-hour flying display which will include the world-famous
Red Arrows.
Ìý
There will be many other attractions and hands-on activities
for all the family including a traders' market, a fun fair, a go-kart
circuit and a fleet of helicopters that spectators can view.
Ìý
In addition to the WW2 roadshows, hundreds of organisations
around the UK - museums, libraries, archives and Age Concern centres
- are participating in the 91Èȱ¬'s WW2 People's War project running free,
supported internet sessions enabling people who lived through the war
to share their memories.
Ìý
Computer-confident volunteers will be on hand to contribute
their stories to the 91Èȱ¬'s archive at bbc.co.uk/ww2.
Ìý
To find out more about centres around the country, call
the free national helpline on 08000 150 950.
Ìý
Imperial War Museum
A special exhibition has been mounted to mark the 60th anniversary of
the D-Day landings.
Ìý
It runs from 7 April 2004 to May 2005 at the Imperial
War Museum, London and has been mounted in conjunction with 91Èȱ¬ ONE's
major drama documentary, D-Day.
Ìý
The exhibition illustrates the planning and build-up
to the invasion and shows the events of the day itself through the personal
experiences of those who took part.
Ìý
An audiovisual programme, incorporating original footage
filmed during the landings, covers the background to the operation and
the sequence of operations on D-Day.
Ìý
Among the exhibits on display are secret briefing documents
and papers written by Eisenhower and Montgomery; top secret papers shown
in public for the first time about double agent Garbo; sabotage equipment
issued to SOE agents to hamper German defenders; the diary of a nurse
who dealt with the first casualties; and the only Victoria Cross awarded
for actions on D-Day.
Ìý
The National Museum of Photography,
Film and Television
The Bradford-based museum will be exploring life at home in June 1944,
with a chance to explore photography direct from the archives of the
Daily Herald, television programmes with a Forties flavour, recordings
from those displaced by war and an afternoon showing of the classic
film The Longest Day.
Printable version