Memorial Pegasus
About Memorial Pegasus
Memorial Pegasus is a museum dedicated to the 6th British Airborne Division, the first Allied soldiers to land in Normandy during the night of June 5-6, 1944. The museum was inaugurated on June 4, 2000 by Prince Charles and houses the original Pegasus Bridge, which was captured by British glider troops just 10 minutes after landing. The outdoor park displays a life-size replica of a Horsa glider, a Bailey bridge, a Centaur tank, and various artillery pieces. Inside, visitors can explore hundreds of artifacts, photographs, and personal testimonies from veterans. QR codes throughout the museum provide audio guides in 10 languages. The museum operates seasonally from February to mid-December, with reduced hours in winter months.
Interesting Facts
The original Pegasus Bridge was purchased by the museum committee from French authorities for the symbolic price of one franc in 1999. The bridge had been replaced by a new structure in 1994 to accommodate modern traffic, but the historical significance of the original made it invaluable for the memorial.
Major John Howard's glider landed just 47 yards from Pegasus Bridge at 00:16 on June 6, 1944 - the first Allied aircraft to land in Normandy. The precision of this night landing, achieved without modern navigation equipment, remains one of the most remarkable feats of the entire D-Day operation.
The codewords used to confirm the bridges' capture were 'Ham and Jam'. 'Ham' signaled that Pegasus Bridge was taken, and 'Jam' confirmed Horsa Bridge. These words were transmitted via radio just 10 minutes after the first glider touched down, making this the fastest major objective captured on D-Day.
Planning Your Visit
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Museum Entry
RecommendedLocation & Practical Info
Address
1 Avenue du Major Howard, 14860 Ranville, France
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