The lineup is looking great for our Military History Through the Ages Weekend on August 7th and 8th! Will you be there? fb.me/e/2m3BPRR6V
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.4 days ago ·
New update from Sweden this week of our 1917 Nieuport 28 restoration by Mikael Carlson - www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2021/07/nieuport-28-restoration-july-2021/ - test assembly before fabric covering! Full article and gallery of photos in the link below. The sole original flying example of America's first fighter is getting closer to the skies!
1 week ago ·
July 19, 1944: Breakthrough at Saint-Lô![]()
Hedgerows, Rhinos and Crocodiles![]()
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The Battle of Saint-Lô is one of the three conflicts in the battle of the hedgerows which took place between July 7 and July 19, 1944. Saint-Lô had been taken by the Germans in 1940 and after D-Day, the Americans had targeted the city as a strategic crossroads.![]()
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After the battle of the Normandy beaches, Allied forces found themselves engaged in the battle of the hedgerows. Thanks to the success of the airborne landings, the flanks of the beachhead were firmly held, but efforts to break out of the center were frustrated by fierce German resistance and counterattack. Fighting inshore, the Allies also encountered difficulty in the dense hedgerow country known to the French as bocage. Aerial reconnaissance photos had not revealed the denseness of these packed embankments upon which the hedgerows grew. The bocage proved to be a defenders paradise and an attacker's hell.![]()
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A simple conversion to US tanks helped defeat the hedgerow problems. In July 1944, tankers began welding iron beams - often using cut-up German "hedgehog" shore defenses - to the front of Sherman tanks. The tanks, nicknamed "Rhinos," could then drive directly at the hedgerow and plow through the mass of earth and vegetation. The invention of the device is credited to Curtis Culin, a sergeant in the 2nd Armored Division's 102nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.![]()
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The British did the job with fire. The Crocodile was a flame-throwing variant of the British Churchill tank developed under Major General Sir Percy Hobart in 1943. The Crocodile had a flame projector that replaced the front mounted machine gun and was connected to an armored trailer via an armored pipe mounted along the underside of the tank. The trailer carried 1800 liters of fuel as well as a compressed propellant which was enough for 80 one-second blasts.![]()
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The American Heritage Museum is proud to display a British Churchill Crocodile (pictured) and a number of Sherman tanks.
1 week ago ·
#1 Best-Selling Author Andrew Biggio to hold first book signing of WWII novel "The Rifle" at the American Heritage Museum on August 1st. ![]()
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In what could be one of the last largest WWII Veteran reunions, some 40+ WWII Veterans are expected to attend. Each veteran took part in the rifle project, and plan to sign books along with the author for hundreds of guests.![]()
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Fifteen French Legion of Honor Medals will be presented to veterans ranging from ages 95-105 for their service liberating Europe. ![]()
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The 22nd Director of the Army National Guard, General Jon Jensen will be the guest speaker, along with Marine Corps Colonel Christopher Landro.![]()
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Books are guaranteed to be signed by the author, WWII veterans until they feel free to stop.![]()
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Event is scheduled from 3pm- 6pm. $30.00 per book, $20.00 if you bring your own copy. Standard museum admission to attend.
2 weeks ago ·
Join us here at the AHM this Saturday 7/17, 1:00 PM, for a discussion by author Elizabeth Macalaster about winged couriers in the U.S. Military. Fascinating subject covered by an extraordinary woman.
2 weeks ago ·
Meetings and Event Rentals
Conveniently located between the Boston, Massachusetts and Worcester, Massachusetts metro areas, and nestled in the rural landscape of Stow, Massachusetts, the American Heritage Museum and facilities of the Collings Foundation are a unique venue for meetings and events for many local, national and international businesses. Our facilities can accommodate everything from intimate groups of 30 to large gatherings of 400-500 people on our interior space, to up to one thousand in our outdoor space.
From formal receptions in the American Heritage Museum East Gallery or Hangar and corporate board retreats in the Conference Room, to outdoor events on the Collings Foundation campus, the American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation can accommodate events of all shapes and sizes. Our spaces are ideal for conferences, fundraisers, receptions, private parties, sales meetings and company outings. At this time, the American Heritage Museum does not book weddings.
Our staff will work with you from beginning to end to plan and host your event and can provide recommended vendors with experience in our facilities to help your planning process. Please contact Ryan Keough, Director of Donor Relations and Development at rkeough@collingsfoundation.org or 978-562-9182 to inquire.
