AIRBORNE MUSEUM Sainte Mère Église, Normandy, D-DAY Tour

AIRBORNE MUSEUM Sainte Mère Église, Normandy, D-DAY Tour
In this episode of WW2 Wayfinder I take a look at the incredible Airborne Museum in the Normandy town of Sainte Mère Église, famous for it being the first town liberated by US Forces on D-DAY, 6th June 1944.
The Airborne Museum in Sainte Mère Église has an incredible collection of wartime Airborne artefacts and aircraft such as the C-47 Skytrain and the CG-4A Waco Glider, both icons of the D-DAY Airborne invasion.
For those not able to travel to Normandy for the D-DAY 80 celebrations, I hope this video provides an insight into the quality of museums in Normandy that commemorate and celebrate the events of D-DAY.
Sainte Mère Église Airborne Museum details:
airborne-museum.org/en/homepage/
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[@craigrobertson6082]

Was there last summer with my family. My children were thoroughly impresses with what those men achieved. Great set-up. One of the best D-Day museums about.

[@suepalin9202]

What a brilliant museum which deals with the nitty-gritty horrors of war and does not pander to the "must not offend anyone" attitude which, sadly, is prevalent in some of the UK's national museums. Lest we forget - that phrase should be at the forefront of museum curators in the UK. As ever, thanks, Jon.

[@JackFlemingFan1]

Thank you for posting your excellent video of the excellent Airborne Museums located at Sainte Mère Église, Normandy! The museums are without a doubt some of the best museums I've ever seen and been in! Thank you again for not only posting this video but all of your excellent videos too as I have learned so much from them.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! Glad you enjoyed it and I’ve got a lot more to come from Normandy from this year so hopefully some new content that hasn’t made it to KZbin before!

[@palmergriffiths1952]

I know the anniversary for D-day is coming up soon. So I would like to give a Heartfelt Thanks to All those Veterans who made the Greatest Sacrifice & Liberated Europe from under The Jackboots of The Nazis. Thank You Veterans 🙏 🇺🇲 🇨🇦 🇬🇧🇵🇱 🇳🇿 🇭🇲 🇮🇳 🇧🇷 🇲🇫 P.S. & any other nations I may have forgotten.. Thank you All

[@backachershomestead]

Thank you for these amazing adventures you take us on ! Something i will never see in person.👍👍

[@TheGV50]

Visited France last summer and did a river cruise, added a few days prior to the cruise and visited this amazing museum. The French people were great host's. Amazing sights Utah and Omaha beach sacred grounds!!!!

[@mikehall5815]

What a awesome looking Museum. Hopefully in the near future my son and I can visit some of these awesome museums. Great episode Jon. Stay safe out there.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I hope you’re able to Mike, it’s a great museum and the town itself just oozes history. I’ll get some photos up next week of the changes they’ve made for this year!

[@MichaelRombach-hf1rr]

Hello Jon, thank you very much (again) for the interesting report and the exciting photos. Next week, on the 6th of June, we will visit Utah Beach in the early morning (the beach and the Museum). Later we will switch over to St. Mère-Église to visit John Steele at the church tower as well as the Museum and Camp Geronimo. We will be in Normandie for one week. Have a nice evening and an interesting journey, Michael from Freiburg/Germany the St. Mère-Église

[@user-ki6zu3dd5t]

Great video as always. Those museums are an expression of the gratitude of the French people for the sacrifice made by American soldiers to liberate Europe from Nazism. Their memory will live forever on French soil. A grateful Frenchie.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!

[@marklara5529]

Thank you for the excellent narration of the WWII museum 🇺🇸

[@sabii416]

The work this museum has done to recreate these displays is amazing. Your explanation of the different components of the airborne soldier both allied and german is much appreciated. I always come across these reading but it helps to have a visual. Thoroughly enjoy your D-day tours keep up the great work.

[@adamcoleCat425]

Awesome video ! Keep up the good work those tuff ol boys won’t b forgotten !!never have been able to get enough of ww2

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@bobclark6597]

Great video, having flown gliders I was lucky enough to meet a D-Day glider pilot who said his glider was so over loaded that it was like flying a rock with wings. Also I was in Normandy on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and met a paratrooper named Tom Rice who reenacted his jump on June 5th, he lived in San Diego after the war and attended many events honoring veterans .I was very fortunate to talk to him on many occasions .He recently passed away last year, he will be sorely missed.

[@senorspaceghosto4718]

I was in France in 2001 and did not get to see this. Thank you for giving the tour. Very cool.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! In the year from when I filmed it’s changed again so looking forward to seeing how it’s been altered for 2024! Thanks for watching and I highly recommend a visit if you’re able to get back to Normandy!

[@deanburn3400]

Incredible museums ! Plus to walk round the area around St Mere Eglise. For me that would be a great honour and privilege to walk around and feel its history. Especially for the 82nd, 101st Airborne and of course the 506 th. Thank you. I will definitely look forward to the next episode. Dean.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Dean! SME is a wonderful town especially during June, the celebrations there are second to none!

[@MrJarred]

Definitely one place that I would love to see. My grandfather's brother was assigned to the 101st, he was in one of the gliders that went into Sainte Mere Eglise. Unfortunately, that is where he was killed.

[@jefsantamonica641]

Tank you so much for tis Jon. It has changed and expanded so much since I saw it in 2016. The equipment carried was unbelievable but necessary. My grandfather (82nd) valued his equipment so much that he never wore his reserve chute, he wanted the room for more vital equipment. He relied that his main chute was packed correctly and one time went to watch the packing process.

[@jefsantamonica641]

My tablet for some reason doesn't work well on the H key!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! Fair play to him and his confidence in his main chute!!! What Regiment in the 82nd did he serve with?

[@jefsantamonica641]

He originally started with the 505 and into Italy. When he was pulled out of Italy, they left the 504th which is why they did not jump into Normandy. He then became a senior officer, but it never kept him in at a CP or checking the fox holes to see how the troops were doing. Because of his work with the 505th he had 4 combat jump stars and jump master star.

[@virginiaallen3406]

Thank you for the detailed video. I truly appreciate it.

[@troykauffman3963]

Looks like an incredible museum, unfortunately when I was there a year and half ago while on a Steven Ambrose D-Day to Rhine tour we only had time to look inside church and the gift shop of museum. So this is definitely one the places I want to check out whenever I make over again. Well done as always Jon, thank you sir. 🫡 Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice this memorial day. You will not be forgotten.🇺🇸

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sorry you missed it Troy but fingers crossed you’ll be able to get there soon and spend a few hours taking it all in. It’s such an incredible place and I’m really curious to see how they’ve continued to develop it for this year. Thanks again for watching!

[@ademirdesouza5452]

Obrigado pelo seu excelente video!!❤

[@DrMyEyes]

Your videos are always so well done and very informative. Thank you for helping to keep the history and memories of WWII alive. It is very important work. I hope you know that.

[@1psychofan]

This is a brilliant museum. I have watched the 3 or 4 times already!!!!!!

[@stephenhill560]

Hope to be visiting next month so very timely. Excellent video as always

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Perfect!! Hope you have a great trip there!!

[@stephenhill560]

Are you going over.

[@Wilett614]

Outstanding Video !! THANK YOU for SHARING !!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FM90796]

Really enjoyed this thank you mate

[@chuckb9867]

You said I hope you enjoyed this. How could you not? You did a phenomenal job. Waco gliders were built near where I Live.😊😊❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!! Cool that you live near where the gliders were built! Amazing courage from the men who flew them and the glider troops that flew into battle in them!

[@chuckb9867]

@@WW2Wayfinder In Deep River Connecticut, there's a little plaque at the factory where they were built. And there was a railroad place close by where they were transported on railroad. Very cool. History for the area. Many parts have been found in peoples, basements and attics over the last few years. Including a calendar from the factory that's been reprinted by my Buddy.That has pictures of gliders on it, dated 1944.An old man had it in his workshop and brought it to my buddy

[@DavidRayBurroughs]

My goodness, very well doene and thank you, good sir. Especially enjoyed your relating actual footage and accounts of the employment of the various gear and the people who used them.

[@mgmmac36]

excellent narration. thank you

[@jas_1959]

Fantastic, work has usual !!!

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Nice work. Thanks for taking us on the tour

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure!

[@geodes4762]

Yarborough’s son Lee was also an officer and combat veteran of the Vietnam War having served with the 101st Airborne and the 5th Special Forces Group. Lee lived down the street from me in Falls Church Va and we would often run into one another along the walking path across from his home. I had served in the 509th during the 1970s. The elder Yarborough had commanded the 509th for a time during WWII. Lee and I shared many military acquaintances.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow!!! That’s very cool! Amazing that you knew his son and also served in the 509th! I need to get to Southern France and document their role in Dragoon one day!

[@randall6060]

Great video!

[@417jumps3]

Impossible not to enjoy!! Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome! It’s a great museum and definitely a must see if you’re able to visit SME!

[@417jumps3]

@@WW2Wayfinder was there years ago!! Did the D-Day Atlantic Wall but didn’t have the time to go directly into SME. Everyone in our tour group heard about the museum but there just wasn’t enough time…. Haven’t been back since.. again thanks for the vid and the effort!!

[@ultimatebucco3181]

Great video!!!! Gerard Pfeiffer, PFC 82nd Airborne Division 505 PIR KIA 6 June, 1944 My Uncle I never met.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!

[@jacklow8590]

Great vid my grandfather was an American glider pilot.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Do you know which operations your Grandfather took part in?

[@bengtwahlstedt1021]

Splendid video ! Good work !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!!

[@Speed916]

Great Video, great museum. Greetings from Germany

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jbellos1]

Dude! Excellent tour, thanks! With the archival film interspersed was awesome!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!!

[@Nyllsor]

Thanks!

[@GhostRider247]

THANK YOU !!!! omg i wish i was there !!!

[@nickharling4402]

Excellent review - visiting in August, can't wait!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hope you have a great trip when you head over in August. Make sure you go to the D-Day Expericne at St Come du Mont as well as it’s a great museum

[@RickJZ1973]

Great tour of the museum. Very informative and interesting!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!!

[@mikebaginy8731]

An interesting video! I've yet to visit the Normandy area, but plan to next year. My father jumped with the 82nd on D-Day. He wrote in his division history book that his company arrived last in Sainte Mère Église, but arrived.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! That’s a great family history to have! Was he with the 505th?

[@mikebaginy8731]

@@WW2Wayfinder Yes, 2nd Bn, 505th. The 3rd Bn, 505th liberated the city.

[@bugs5644]

great tour . hope to get there someday

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! The D-Day Experience is another excellent museum to check out when you can get to Normandy!

[@Marcony547]

Why did the landing in Normandy take place only in 1944??? Maybe Britain and the USA were together with Hitler until this moment and date!? Oh yes, the British got their fill at Dunkirk and were ready to surrender to the Nazis! And Hitler’s back was broken in 1943 in Stalingrad by the Russian Red Army!!!

[@NickyB0718]

Very very cool. I’d love to visit. Maybe one day. This stuff really fascinates me

[@dankorolyk5917]

Great preview of the museum mate

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@TI4438]

I no longer need to wonder what the different colored parachutes denoted in A Bridge Too Far. Excellent video as usual.

[@roymcnicholas4825]

Cool , I really enjoyed this one

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@michaelquinn7711]

Absolutely fascinating video, informative, interwoven with archive film and excellent narrative from Jon. Superb, please keep them coming.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Plenty more to come from Normandy. Today I found a certain spot that has never been seen on KZbin before so excited to share that!

[@michaelquinn7711]

Looking forward to seeing more Jon in 2009 I had the pleasure and privilege to escort a number of veterans to Normandy as a serving RAF officer, I met piper Bill Milne a fellow Scot, the beaches of Arromanches and Bayeux should be compulsory for our young people to visit, it really brings it home when you read the ages of our lost generation. Good work Jon. Thank you.

[@jamesderickson8225]

Very well done!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you very much!

[@TheFergie9]

Jon..The Upottery Museum in Devon is fabulous tribute to 101st..Nice to see it honoured at St Mere Eglise Museum

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve only ever briefly visited Upoottery once before but it’s on my list to go back there at some point and thank you for the tip off about the museum as I didn’t know they had one there!

[@TheFergie9]

​@WW2Wayfinder I have been driven down the actual runway that Band Of Brothers took off from on June 5th,in a WWII jeep from the museum..so memorable !!

[@BertiOnTour]

Dort war ich letztes Jahr auch. Tolle Aufnahmen. Danke

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!!

[@Liam-vm9uy]

Absolutely brilliant! Defo on my next visit to France!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s a must!

[@maryannallen9885]

I wish I could be there on June 6 for the 80th anniversary. My dad was there in the 101st.😢

[@waynekerr5645]

Have a cold libation whilst you’re there Jon 🍺 Really interesting video, it’s changed a great deal since I was last there 30 years ago!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you so much!!! I will definitely enjoy a cold one! I first went to the museum back in maybe 2010 I think (genuinely can’t remember now but it was a while ago) and to see how it’s developed it’s a real credit to the team at the museum!

[@lotharwalter2020]

Hi,It's a very good Museum!I habe visited the Museum and the Town by the anniversaire of d Day for three Years.Have a good time in this Town!❤

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi Jon Fascinating story, nice editing and explanations! The museum looks amazing but unfortunately a little bit too far away from Australia 🇦🇺 😢 Thanks again for sharing another great video presentation ❤😊

[@TheAlzo999]

what a fantastic video, absolutely loved that. thank you for sharing it with us, now following your channel. PS that cap, where can I buy one? love it. thank you

[@peterguns]

I ve visited this museum in 2004. God, long time ago😢

[@firstcitytraveler]

Wow, what an amazing museum. Another place I will never see, but I now have a tour of this museum dedicated to the Airborne operations on D-Day. Keep up the great work Jon and look forward to more of your 80th D-Day adventures. I do need some advice on a good editing program for my Kansas history travels. Any help would be appreciated.

[@TellySavalas-or5hf]

Visit Howard Manoian's Stop bar in the centre off St. Mere Eglise.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve been before but sadly his story was looked into and found to be false. He was part of a Chemical Battalion and not a paratrooper. The research was done by one of the leading 82nd Airborne historians a few years ago!

[@bobleicht5295]

Then-Captain Yarborough also designed the American parachutist jump wings.

[@thenoworriesnomad]

As always 👍👍, just wondering if or when you would do a few videos about the British on D-Day etc...

[@i.r.wayright1457]

When I was growing up in the 1950s we had a neighbor across the street who was at St Mere Eglise with the 101st Airbrorne. He was usually seen with a cigar and he was built like a fire hydrant. One snowy evening a drunk flipped his car upside down right in front of Harold's house. A few of us neighbors gathered to see what was going on and the driver started to leave on foot before the police arrived. Uh, bad move. Harold grabbed the guy and had him on the ground in a flash and shouted, "You''re not going anywhere until the cops get here." Chuck Norris would have been proud of Harold's moves that must have remained ingrained since the war and ready to uncork if necessary again.

[@Marcony547]

Why did the landing in Normandy take place only in 1944??? Maybe Britain and the USA were together with Hitler until this moment and date!? Oh yes, the British got their fill at Dunkirk and were ready to surrender to the Nazis! And Hitler’s back was broken in 1943 in Stalingrad by the Russian Red Army!!!

[@scottfoster2487]

I had family member in the airborne that died in France freeing Europe.

[@Roller_Ghoster]

I was in that museum about 15 years ago. Highly recommended. John did I hear you say you're there for 79th anniversary? I take it you shot this film last year as this is the 80th anniversary.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

That’s correct, I filmed it last year and forgot about it! Discovered the files recently so decided to put it out now so anyone going for this year knows what to expect before spending their hard earned cash! Plus it’s changing again for 2024 so included the info I could find on that at the end as I think the Waco exhibit is changing significantly

[@Roller_Ghoster]

@@WW2Wayfinder brilliant. Love the channel. Keep up the great work John 👍

[@micoma49]

​@@WW2Wayfinder Thanks for the clarification. Great presentation.

[@wildbirdbuffetfrenzy4161]

You go... Lead on.. ..

[@uk-hon5769]

Another great video. If you have not, like and subscribe. The videos are well worth it!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Fantastic exhibits! What does a yellow US "pineapple" grenade represent?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

All US grenades at the start of the war were yellow! Today Yellow bands mark Ordnance as high explosive and I’m struggling to remember if that was the reason 80 years ago they painted them as such but it was soon found in the jungles of the Pacific campaign that the yellow grenades could be easily located and thrown back if seen in time so they were all painted green leaving a tiny yellow band on top.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

@@WW2Wayfinder Interesting. Yeah, I'm familiar with the olive drab with yellow band at top version, just never saw an all yellow one!

[@samiam619]

Are the Pathfinders credited with ANY success at marking a Drop Zone?

[@angloaust1575]

James gavin who jumped into normandy on d.day later Became ambassador to France appointed by jfk As he needed someone Who could handle degaulle It was reported that degaulle Said to gavin I want all Foreign troops out of France Gavin replies does that Include the dead ones!

[@michaeladamo1188]

Hey this is the 80th anniversary of Dday?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Correct. I filmed that last year during the 79th Anniversary and hence why at the end it had the updates the museum is putting in for 2024.

[@MixAndCovers]

79 th anniversary ?? Maybe 80th no?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I filmed it in 2023 so definitely the 79th! That’s why I added the section at the end that looks at the further improvements the museum made for 2024

[@MixAndCovers]

Thanks for the answer. And for coming in France, my country, to see the museum ❤.

[@emmgeevideo]

79th anniversary?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Yup, all filmed last year. Only just around to editing it. That’s why it’s got the diagrams showing the upcoming changes for 2024 in it

[@johnzajac9849]

'Waco glider' is pronounced: ‘Waaay-koh glider.’ There is a Texas city called Waco.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

According to the company who made it, it’s not pronounced the same as the place in Texas but as in ‘Whacko’.

[@johnzajac9849]

@@WW2Wayfinder What a name for a company! I stand corrected, sir.

[@geraldmiller5260]

Way-Co not Wacko (which is slang for crazy.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The company who manufactured them during WW2 state its pronounced ‘Wacko’ not way-co

[@clovergrass9439]

The word liberated is controversial to say the least.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Well the Allies liberated Europe so it is in no way controversial. It’s as clear cut as a subject can be.

[@jeffsquires6620]

Thank you for showing these incredible pieces of history.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@jeffsquires6620]

@@WW2Wayfinder I seen in an episode of Masters of War you mentioned that you would like to get a original Army Airforce crusher hat. I have one and it's on top of a Captain's Squadron Leaders Eighth Ike Jacket.

[@jas_1959]

Thanks!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Sorry only just noticed as Normandy was so busy!