As mentioned here there going to be a new D-Day museum opening soon in Portland, Dorset. link to my post > Public Tanks Had a peep through an open door & saw a Dodge Ambulance, a Spitfire hanging from the roof & a model of a landing craft up a wall. Outside was a Dodge weapons carrier (I think) as well as the Sherman I posted pics of. website still under construction. Castletown D-Day Centre
??? Because the units that left that area on D Day were bound for the 'US' beaches ???.....or am I being naive? Incidentally, there is also an American flag in the background on one of the photos. Makes sense as long as they deliver the full message about who took part in the Normandy D Day in addition to that guy Private Ryan.........
I get that, but M4A4 (Sherman V) were used for Lend Lease. Thus no US unit would have landed with them. Although a few did get transferred over much later on during the campaign in NWE.
Swiper Let's call it 'artistic licence'. Sadly we see it all the time and it's more to do with getting punters through the door than historical accuracy. In a way they probably had no real choice: the tank is what it is and was clearly available and that area was the embarkation point for US forces rather than those destined for the British/Canadian beaches. We will probably find that the Spitfire is also marked up totally wrong - Burmese Spitfire anyone?....but hopefully it's totally 'right'.
Photo of the Spit is in post #2. To be honest I didn't twig that it was a M4A4. My tank-nerd skills have slipped. I think I was more surprised to see a Sherman sitting there at all as I had no idea the museum was there. We went to get a better look at the ships in the harbour. I'm sure if I didn't spot it the 'mistake' the majority of other visitors won't either. Reminds me of the discussion regards the Ortona Sherman a few years ago, that was one the Candians didn't use.
I visited the D-Day Centre earlier this year, although a very small collection it tells the story of Portland's involvement in the Normandy landings very well. Visitors are encouraged to be hands on with most of the exhibits especially the vehicles and small arms.
