Telephone: +33 (0)2-31781944
Website: http://www.normandy1944.com/anglais/pegasus/frame_page_presentation_musee.htm
Shop: shop present
Restaurant/refreshments: refreshments
Size of the museum/site: medium
Year of visit: 2002
Overall rating:
Description: The Pegasus Bridge had the honour to become the first 'liberated bridge' of France, when the 6th British Airborne Division attacked it on the 6th of June 1944. The bridge was to be captured and secured intact, so that the Allies could use it later on as a crossing over the canal running from Caen to the sea.
The museum gives a very detailed account of the events leading to the battle for Pegasus Bridge and the battle itself. The original bridge, accompanied by a nice scale-model, is included in the museum's collection. Personal items of soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division, a few vehicles and a movie dealing with the 1944 events form other highlights of the museum.
When visiting the Pegasus Memorial it is worth to take the trouble to walk for about 55 seconds in the easterly direction from the museum's car park, where you'll bump into the new "Pegasus Bridge" (almost an exact copy of the original one - just a bit bigger), currently spanning the canal. With a bit of luck you'll see it being opened for a passing vessel.
