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Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - What is it?! 🤔Thanks to everyone who played last week… The answer for October 8th is our TALON EOD robot… see the previous post for the full details!Good luck on this week’s challenge! #americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma ... See MoreSee Less
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The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from October 8th is the drive sprocket on our TALON EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) robot! Robots like this one have been used since the 1970's to help keep their human operators out of harms way!Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, October 15th at 10:00 am EST!#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday ... See MoreSee Less
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SUNDAY Update – Due to the forecast rain storm this afternoon, the 11am Re-Enactment on Sunday will be taking place, but the 3pm Re-Enactment is being cancelled. Indoor activities and all museum buildings are still open until 5pm today, including the WWII Veterans Roundtable at 1pm. ... See MoreSee Less
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Let's Learn How a Periscope Works!#AmericanHeritageMuseum #visitma #MilitaryHistory #historymuseum #WWII #ww2 #WorldWarII #worldwar2 #army #tanks #worldoftanks #tanknerd #Periscope ... See MoreSee Less
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Our L-4 Grasshopper, "Rosie the Rocketer" was out stretching her wings today in preparation for our "Battle for the Airfield" WWII reenactment this weekend (Oct 11-12, 2025)! The L-4 will be accompanied by our German Fi.156 Storch (both weather permitting) during the largest WWII reenactment in New England!If you are interested in attending, please visit our website, bit.ly/4mTBLkF for tickets, hours and details!#AmericanHeritageMuseum #VisitMA #EventWeekend ... See MoreSee Less
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Defense of the Reich


8.8 cm Flak 36
– GER | ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN

Sd.Kfz. 8 12 TON – GER | PERSONNEL CARRIER/PRIME MOVER

Kommandogerrat 38 – GER | FIRE CONTROL COMPUTER

Flak Battery Generator – GER | ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY SUPPORT

Flak Battery Searchlight – GER | ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY SUPPORT

V-1 (“JB-2 Loon” – Suspended) – GER | GUIDED MISSILE

The Defense of the Reich (also known in German as Reichsverteidigung) was the name given to the strategic defensive aerial campaign fought by the Luftwaffe air arm of the combined Wehrmacht armed forces of Nazi Germany over German-occupied Europe and Nazi Germany during World War II. Its aim was to prevent the destruction of German civilians, military, and civil industries by the Western Allied bombing campaigns. The day and night air battles over Germany during the war involved thousands of aircraft and aerial engagements to counter the Allied strategic bombing campaign. The Luftwaffe fighter force defended the airspace over German-occupied territory against attack, first by RAF Bomber Command and then against the United States Army Air Forces.

The constant night bombing by the RAF and daylight attacks by the USAAF added to the destruction of a major part of the German’s industries and cities, which caused the economy to collapse in the winter of 1944–45. It also pulled nearly two million Germans into defense of the homeland and diverted critical, dual-purpose 88 mm guns from an anti-tank role in the east against the advancing Red Army to an antiaircraft role inside Germany itself. By this time, the Allied armies had reached the German border and the strategic campaign became fused with the tactical battles over the front, while also completing a deliberate and methodical Allied campaign of punishment of all of Germany by destruction of German cities and civilian morale. The air campaign continued until April 1945, when the last strategic bombing missions were flown, ending just before the surrender of Germany on May 8th.

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SUNDAY UPDATE: 11am Re-Enactment Taking Place, 3pm Re-Enactment Cancelled with Forecast Storm - Indoor Activities Still Open until 5pm

Due to the forecast rain storm, the 11am Re-Enactment on Sunday will be taking place, but the 3pm Re-Enactment is being cancelled. All museum buildings and Indoor activities still open until 5pm today, including the WWII Veterans Roundtable at 1pm. Pricing after 12 noon reduced to $25 Adults / $20 Seniors & Veterans / $15 for Children 16 and Under.