‘The Rieu Collection: Glory To The Liberation Message’
The Rieu Collection May 27, 2011
From May 27- Oct 1st, the National Liberation Museum 1944-1945 in Groesbeek will exhibit a selection of military vehicles associated with the liberation period from the Maastricht Collection of Pierre Rieu.
These vehicles will accommodate the collection of the Liberation Museum in a temporary exhibition, providing depth, glory and content: (re)living the liberation message!
The Liberation Museum’s central theme is not the question what caused WW2, but how The Netherlands and Europe lost their freedom and how this subsequently was regained. The unique selling point of the museum is the Liberation. Allied politicians, their populations, troops and military material were instrumental to this liberation.
The temporary exhibition ‘The Rieu Collection. Glory to the Liberation Message’ especially shows the latter and seemlessly joins the museum’s permanent exhibition. Bringing the past back to life with diorama’s, typical ‘40’s smells, music, original films and speeches. Now for the first time, one can experience among others a Humber Snipe, a DUKw and a GMC Cargo.
Liberation Museum Groesbeek
The Liberation Museum was founded as a token of gratitude to the men from overseas who participated in the massive Allied Operations which took place in this area. The museum tells the story of Holland's struggle for freedom starting in 1918, but mainly focuses on the 1940-45 period of German occupation and the liberation by the Allies. There are scale models, dioramas, and various displays to give insight into what happened here. First, the arrival of the Americans led by General James Gavin, the youngest Divisional Commander in 'Market Garden'; then, their departure to fight the Battle of the Bulge (mid-November 1944), leaving 1,800 dead men behind. The soldiers were replaced by British, Canadian, as well as some Polish and Dutch troops, with many casualties as well. One of the museum's purposes is to emphasize the successful military actions of the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, the American 9th Troop Carrier Command, and of the 30th British Army Corps during 'Operation Market Garden'.
4 comments:
I would be really interested in seeing that museum, it sounds incredible.
So would I,Steph.
Thank You Pierre for the time and effort you have put into this museum. My dad was a pilot towards the end of WWII.He flew a P 84 " The Widow Maker". Do you have one in your collection ? Keep up the good work. Thank-You for remembering our american boys and the boys in Europe, who fought for freedom.
Well done Pierre.
I visited the museum some years ago. Well worth a visit, and if you do, there is also the Canadian War Cemetery & Memorial close by.
Suggest - read Cornelius Ryan's book 'A Bridge to Far ' or see the film.
Its about 'Operation Market Garden'.
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