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One of the great highlights during our WWII Re-enactment (October 7th & 8th) is the WWII Veterans Roundtable discussion. Veterans from all branches of service talk about what they were doing during the war before a very captive audience. If you know a WWII Veteran who would like to participate please send an email to Hunter Chaney at hchaney@collingsfoundation.org ... See MoreSee Less
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The American Heritage Museum is hosting a Marlborough, Worcester and Metro West Chambers of Commerce veterans appreciation event on Thursday, November 9th. We are hoping to highlight Korean War veterans. If you know a Korean War veteran please pass on the invitation! Email Hunter at hchaney@collingsfoundation.org ... 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 TODAY - MEMORIAL DAY

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