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As we make the last preparations for this weekend's event (September 13–14), we wanted to give you all a little sneak peek at what you can expect to see!These are only a few of the aircraft that will be used in our daily demonstrations. Others include our AT-6 Texan and PT-17 Stearman! These aircraft will be used in flying demonstrations at 1:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.We also have a number of speakers who will be giving presentations throughout each day. We are thrilled to be hosting retired Army Air Force Col. Joe Peterburs—a 100-year-old WWII veteran pilot, who at 19 years old shot down a German Me 262 fighter jet!Over the course of the weekend, there will also be tank riding and driving experiences available for an additional charge.If any of this sounds like it's up your alley, check out our website to learn more:www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/history-takes-flight-historic-aviation-weekend#AmericanHeritageMuseum #airshow ... See MoreSee Less
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Don't miss the great presentation today 1:00pm to 2:30pm, on ships and ship building during WWII by Doug Most. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-launching-liberty-by-doug-most/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Today, we remember the 9/11 attacksthat resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,977people. This includes 246 passengers and crewmembers on the four hijacked planes, 2,606 people inthe World Trade Center and surrounding areas, and125 people at the Pentagon. Among the 2,977 victims,412 were first responders—343 firefighters, 72 lawenforcement officers, and 55 military personnel. Thetragic loss of life on that day had profound effects onmany families, communities and the country as awhole.Our hearts go out to all those affected. And to those who risked and lost their lives in the defense of our freedom, we say thank you.#AmericanHeritageMuseum #neverforget ... See MoreSee Less
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Join us at the AHM tomorrow, Friday, September 12th, 1pm to 2:30pm, for an engaging talk by Doug Most titled Launching Liberty. He tells the remarkable story of how FDR partnered with private businessmen to build three thousand vital cargo freighters longer than a football field—ships he affectionately dubbed “Ugly Ducklings.” One ship could feed three million men for a day—an entire fleet could sustain troops for years. ... See MoreSee Less
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Battle of the Bulge


Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer
– GER | TANK DESTROYER

M4A3E2 Sherman “Jumbo” – USA | TANK

M16 Half-Track / M45 Quadmount – USA | PERSONNEL CARRIER/ANTI-AIRCRAFT

M5 3-inch Gun – USA | ANTI-TANK GUN

M5A1 13 ton High-Speed Tractor – USA | ARTILLERY TRACTOR

M8 Scott – USA | HOWITZER MOTOR CARRIAGE

After the breakout from Normandy at the end of July 1944, and the Allied landings in southern France on August 15th, 1944, the Allies advanced toward Germany’s borders very quickly. But then a rapid thrust into the Netherlands was blocked by recovering German forces, compelling the Allies to retreat out of Holland. The British slowly retook the Scheldt estuary to allow use of the key port of Antwerp. Canadians advanced a second time into the Netherlands in hard winter fighting. American and French armies attacked the fortified Siegfried Line and Metz farther south, while other Americans bogged down in close and bloody fighting in the Huertgen Forest. The nearby Ardennes Forest, where Americans had fought Germans in WWI in 1918, looked to be a quiet sector. It soon turned into a bloody battle zone when the German Army launched a surprise counterattack.

The Battle of the Bulge, named for the bulge in American lines created by the German attack, is also known as the Ardennes Offensive. It was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. It took place from December 16th, 1944 to January 25th, 1945. It was launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of eastern Belgium, northeast France, and Luxembourg. The offensive was intended to stop Allied use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to split the Allied lines, allowing the Germans to divide the Allied armies and stave off looming defeat for a little while longer. If the attack were to succeed in capturing Antwerp, four complete armies would be trapped without supplies behind German lines. Unfortunately for German ambitions, they did not have the tanks, aircraft, fuel or offensive punch left to even reach Antwerp. Still, many men would die trying while others died to stop them, then force defeat on the Nazi regime.

American forces bore the brunt of the attack and incurred their highest casualties of any operation during the war. The battle also severely depleted Germany’s armored forces and all but eliminated the last of its air forces (Luftwaffe). The Germans’ initial attack involved 410,000 men; just over 1,400 tanks, tank destroyers, and assault guns; 2,600 artillery pieces; 1,600 anti-tank guns; and over 1,000 combat aircraft. Around 98,000 Germans were killed, missing, wounded in action, or captured. For the Americans, out of a peak of 610,000 troops, 89,000 became casualties. Over 19,000 were killed.  The “Bulge” was one of the largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in World War II and the third-deadliest campaign in American history (behind the Battle of Normandy 1st, and the Meuse–Argonne offensive that was a major part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire Western Front).

During World War II, most U.S. black soldiers in Europe still served only in maintenance or service positions, or in segregated units, although a black combat division saw extensive action against the Japanese in Burma. Because of troop shortages during the Battle of the Bulge, Eisenhower decided to integrate the service for the first time. This was an important step toward a desegregated United States military, although that did not formally take place until after the war ended. More than 2,000 black soldiers volunteered to carry rifles and go to the front. Others served a vital role as drivers of supply trucks that ran 24 hours a day in the “Red Ball Express.” The 761st tank battalion was the first African American tank battalion to see combat in World War II. The “Black Panthers” received nearly 400 combat decorations, fighting in France, in Belgium during the Bulge, and ending the war in south Germany and Austria.

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EVENT TICKETS ONLY FOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY - No General Admissions available this weekend during Historic Aviation Weekend special event.

There will be no General Admissions tickets available on Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th during the Historic Aviation Weekend - all visitors on Saturday and Sunday must purchase event tickets for access to the American Heritage Museum. $30 Adults | $25 Seniors/Veterans | $20 Children 3 to 16 years old.