header.php
Today we solemnly remember those who served and sacrificed all in the defense of the values we all hold dear. On this Memorial Day and every day... we will never forget you. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
First run of the new M36 Jackson 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage / Tank Destroyer that will be publicly unveiled this weekend at the Tank Demonstration Weekend! Get tickets for the event and book a ride on the M36 Jackson ($195 per person) via the links at www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/tank-demonstration-weekend-may-2023/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
The weather this weekend looks perfect for our Tank Demonstration Weekend - May 27th and 28th at the American Heritage Museum from 9am to 5pm daily! Get a taste of what you might see at this video! Get tickets at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/tank-demonstration-weekend-may-2023/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Our WWII Tank Demonstration weekend is coming up on May 27th and 28th. We have some special guests! WWII Veterans Bill Purple, Alfred Consigli and Russ Phipps (101!) will be joining us for a WWII Veteran talk around 10:30 and 1:30 both Saturday and Sunday. Amazing, incredible stories from these gentleman! Not to be missed. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Get ready for our first Summer living history weekend next week with Tank Demonstration Weekend on Memorial Day Weekend - May 27th and 28th! Event details & tickets at: ahmus.me/23-05 - See some of the most historic American WWII tanks in operation all weekend including the M4 Sherman, M26 Pershing, M5 Stuart, M24 Chaffee, M18 Hellcat, and the first public appearance of our new M36 Jackson tank destroyer! All museum buildings are open and part of event admission... including the hangar and the car museum! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

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.

footer.php

OPEN TODAY - MEMORIAL DAY

The American Heritage Museum is open today, Monday, May 29th from 10:00am to 5:00pm for Memorial Day,