War Museums

[CROONAERT]

I was hoping that forum members could mention their best (and worst) war (or is it now "P.C." to call them "Peace")museums (mainly in Europe), as I'd hate to think that I'd missed a good one!!!!( :P ).

I'm planning to do a several-countries tour of Europe in the Summer and would like to know what is reccommended (and those to avoid).

My personal favourite (for WW2) is the museum at Diekirch in Luxembourg (I'm more of a "traditional" museum fan - the "Memorial" at Caen didn't do much for me, and I preferred the outside of the one at Overloon) and my least favourites both happen to be WW1 museums anyway (I'm trying to think of my least favourite WW2 museum, but am struggling - there are a few "lemons" in my book!).

Thanks,

B.

[salientpoints]

You don't even need to leave the country - it's on your doorstep - The Imperial War Museum

The Underground Hospital on Guernsey is very good and I believe they may have opened up the Mirus Battery as a museum now. Last time I was in here it was with torches through the brambles!

La Coupole just outside St Omer is a fascinating insight into the massive construction programme by the Germans and V2 manufacture, then leads onto the history of rockets.

Castle Colditz is now a museum if you can get that far into Germany on your trip:
http://www.colditz.de/data/include_kultur/...m_eng_index.php

I am doing the Normandy museums etc this year so can't comment on those but I have the list and there is soooo much to do!

[David Seymour]

Best War Museum? Easy: Imperial War Museum.

Consider joining the Friends of the Imperial War Museum: free entry to Duxford, Cabinet War Rooms, HMS Belfast. 20% discount in shop and cafe. Behind the scenes and previews. Three times a year magazine Despatches. Help contribute to a major national resource.

Check it out on IWM website.

Regards,
David

[Mark Hone]

I prefer smaller-scale 'specific subject' museums to huge, national collections. I think that of that kind, the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek takes some beating, although many staff and pupils on our recent Arnhem tour thought that the National Liberation Museum at Groesbeek was as good. In the UK I have a soft spot for the Birkenhead Historic Warships Museum.
IWM London has always been my favourite of the biggies, although NAM is also superb. Sorry that I can't wax too lyrical about the IWM North or the Royal Armouries in Leeds, both of which fail to 'hit the target' in my view.

[David Seymour]

For anyone interested in the naval side I would recommend EXPLOSION, the Museum of Naval Firepower at Gosport. A great little museum with huge potential on an impressive site at Priddy's Hard. It fits in well with the Historic Ships at Portsmouth, and the Submarine Museum (also in Gosport). Easy access between both sides of the harbour by water bus and free shuttle. Also excellent views of the fleet.
Regards,
David

[Paul Reed]

I personally have always liked the Bayeux War Museum; I have been there hundreds of times, but always find something new to look at - always the sign of a good museum in my opinion.

For the same reason I love the museums at La Gleize in the Ardennes and Hartenstein Hotel at Arnhem.

Least favourite is the Memorial in Caen - it tells you NOTHING about Normandy, in my opinion.

[CROONAERT]

Originally posted by Paul Reed@Feb 29 2004, 06:10 PM
I personally have always liked the Bayeux War Museum; I have been there hundreds of times, but always find something new to look at - always the sign of a good museum in my opinion.

For the same reason I love the museums at La Gleize in the Ardennes and Hartenstein Hotel at Arnhem.

Least favourite is the Memorial in Caen - it tells you NOTHING about Normandy, in my opinion.

I think we've got the same tastes in museums, Paul! I forgot about Bayeaux as its been a number of years since I've visited Normandy (though on my last visit, I think that the Pegasus Bridge museum went downhill in comparison to my first). I've been concentrating on the Ardennes of late, and think I've visited the lot in that area (La Gleize being particularly close to my heart - I broke my wrist there a few years ago trying to photograph "213" from a different angle!).

Mark. - I think I've been to Groesbeek museum before. Is it the one that has a memorial chapel in the shape of a parachute and commemorates Operation Veritable? The museum not too far away at Veghel is also worth visiting. Hotel Hartenstein is also excellent, especially due to it's historic housing, but I haven't been able to afford more than a fleeting visit there over the last few years. Has it changed much since, say, 1996?

Salientpoints. - Believe me, I wouldn't rate the IWM as "on my doorstep"!!

Thanks for all the answers.

B.

[Mark Hone]

The Hartenstein has got a much better audio-visual display at the beginning than I recall from a visit in the mid-90's. The dioramas in the basement seemed the same but on the other floors they have an amazing and growing collection of artifacts, including Shan Hackett's bloodstained tunic, Frost's hunting horn etc. The Grosbeek museum is as you describe. It is not quite as slickly presented as the Hartenstein but is very good, with a variety of interesting displays on the occupation, Dutch East Indies etc as well as Market Garden and Veritable. It has a very good 3D model of the area in the middle. It is staffed by an enthusiastic , friendly and to be honest aging group of volunteers, so visit it while you can!

[salientpoints]

Believe me, I wouldn't rate the IWM as "on my doorstep"!!

Oh ok, maybe this is where the country flag and details don't help? One can only assume from member details where it says UK you are in the UK and as the IWM and its associated other museums are in the UK that these are nearer to you than those in Europe? or are you an ex-pat which I wasn't aware of? Otherwise there are many more good museums in the UK worth visiting (bovington tank museum, muckleburgh collection, raf museum, etc etc)

Cheers

Ryan

[Mark Hone]

The Eperlecques bunker near St Omer can be covered at the same time as you visit La Coupole. It is an awesome and atmospheric place, rated as the best site we have ever visited by more than one of my battlefield tour regulars.