The Pegasus Bridge Museum, also known as the Pegasus Memorial (Memorial Pegasus in French) or Mémorial Pégasus, is located in Bénouville, in Normandy, France. The museum is dedicated to the first liberators who arrived in Normandy on the night of 5-6 June 1944 - the British 6th Airborne Division.
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A brief history and overview:
On the night before D-Day, the 6th Airborne was given the task to secure the eastern flank of the landing zone, to prevent German counter-attacks. Among their objectives was taking control of two bridges: one over the Canal de Caen at Bénouville (later known as the Pegasus Bridge, in honor of the division's emblem) and another over the Orne River at Ranville. The operation was carried out by glider-borne troops who landed remarkably close to their objectives and managed to take control of the bridges with minimal casualties.
The museum:
The Pegasus Memorial museum aims to honor and preserve the memory of these British soldiers. The museum showcases a comprehensive collection of artifacts, personal items, uniforms, and weaponry used during the operation. The original Pegasus Bridge, replaced in the 1990s due to heavy traffic wear, is displayed in the park of the museum. The museum also exhibits one of the gliders (Horsa glider) used in the operation.
A visit to the museum offers a deep insight into the strategic importance of the Pegasus Bridge operation, the meticulous planning it involved, and the valor of the men who undertook the mission. It's an important destination for those interested in World War II history and the D-Day landings.