Explore the story of how American and British troops assaulted the Axis in Africa to secure a Mediterranean stronghold before attempting an attack on Hitler’s “Fortress Europe.” This immersive 1,500-square-foot space conveys the landscape of Tunisia as American forces first attempt to stem the Nazi tide. Surrounded by desert and rocky landscape, visitors see projections of tanks rolling over the sand and get up close to dozens of weapons of Europe displayed in an enormous artifact case. Macro artifacts include a 105mm Howitzer and a 1943 Jeep.
Made possible through a gift from Judith and Louis Freeman
Exhibit Highlights
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European/Mediterranean Briefing Room
Set in an abandoned room in North Africa, this gallery recreates the pressures faced by Allied strategists in November 1942.
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Desert War - North Africa
This immersive 1,500-square-foot space conveys the landscape of Tunisia as American forces stem the Nazi tide.
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Invasion of Sicily
This evocative space employs an animated map along with artifacts and photographs as it details storming the strategic island.
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Italian Campaign
In this gallery, oral histories recount battles and everyday life in the war, while exhibits communicate the strategic complexity of the warfare.
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Air War
Surrounded by a recreated Nissen hut, this gallery tells of WWII air power—from the German Luftwaffe to America’s strikes in Europe.
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D-Day Theater
With an informative D-Day film, this exhibit captures the courage and sacrifice of the thousands of men who fought on D-Day.
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Northwestern Europe: Invasion and Liberation
This gallery illustrates obstacles the Allies faced—from the German counterattack at Mortain to the major setback in Operation Market Garden.
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Breaching the German Frontier Bunker
This gallery mimics the interior of a blown-out German bunker, allowing you to see the defensive infrastructure Germans employed.
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Battle of the Bulge
This immersive gallery sets the scene for the six-week Battle of the Bulge—the US Army’s largest battle of World War II.
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Into the German Homeland
Our final gallery reveals the last major obstacles of the war in Europe, and the ultimate surrender of Germany.
