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Experience military history from the Roman Empire, 1400 years before the birth of the United States this Saturday at the American Heritage Museum. The Legion III Cyrenaica living history group will be with us on Saturday, January 25th from 11am to 3pm to share with our visitors the history of ancient Rome, its military, and culture. They will be on hand to answer questions and interact with visitors throughout the day and is included with standard museum admission for the day. Learn more at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/the-romans-are-coming/ ... See MoreSee Less
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81 years ago today, the Anzio landing, part of Operation Shingle during WWII, began on Jan. 22, 1944, as Allied forces aimed to outflank German defenses and capture Rome. Allied troops initially achieved surprise but failed to push inland decisively, allowing German forces under Field Marshal Kesselring to reinforce. A brutal stalemate followed with heavy casualties. In May 1944, the Allies broke through, linking with southern forces and liberating Rome on June 4. Learn about the Italian Campaign in the WWII in Europe Gallery in the American Heritage Museum. ... See MoreSee Less
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The American Heritage Museum is open today! Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Open 10am to 5pm. ... See MoreSee Less
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Hello all good people! The American Heritage Museum will be open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 20th, 10am to 5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you soon. ... 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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OPEN MONDAY for MLK Day - Monday, January 20, 2025

We will be open on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 10am to 5pm. A great opportunity for families to visit on the school break. Buy tickets at the Admissions Desk or save $2 per ticket by buying online!