From D-Day to V-Day / Expo in Belgium

[johan willaert]

Several Belgian collectors put their items together to organise an exhibition of WW2 US Militaria at the 'For Freedom Museum' at Knokke-Heist, Belgium:

Open to the public on 19-20-21-27-28 February and 6-7-13-14-20-21 March 2010, from 10AM to 5PM...


Address: For Freedom Museum Ramskapellestraat 91-93, 8301 Knokke-Heist (20 minutes from Bruges, Belgium)



A couple of previews:











Looking forward to welcoming you there....

Cheers,

Johan

[LOZ]

A few of us may drop in on our way back from the 82nd march in the Ardennes
Loz.

[johan willaert]

A few of us may drop in on our way back from the 82nd march in the Ardennes
Loz.

Hi Loz,

Yes, I have been in contact with Glen about that...

Looking forward to seeing you!

Johan

[Ben]

Hi Johan,

Thanks for sharing these photographs and information with us. I have been following the thread on the USMF about the Expo for a while and it looks fantastic. I'd like to make it across at some point, but unfortunately I don't think I can make it. It would be good to see the display in the flesh though, especially "forcerecon's" collection. It looks like he has some great items there. It's a shame really, that it doesn't coincide with the fair at Ciney in April...

Thanks again,
Ben.

[johan willaert]

It's a shame really, that it doesn't coincide with the fair at Ciney in April...

Hi Ben,

We have the opportunity to use the existing space of the 'For Freedom Museum' while the regular displays of the museum are being cleaned and re-organised.
But in April the museum re-opens for the general public and all Canadians have to be back in place....

So it was now or never....

Cheers,

Johan

[johan willaert]

Ready for the first visitors....

[Alain]

Hi Johan,
Thanks for letting us know !
I'll certainly be over to pay you and the Museum a visit ...

See you, cheers,
Alain

[johan willaert]

I'll certainly be over to pay you and the Museum a visit ...

Thanks Alain!
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Cheers,

Johan

[LOZ]

The display is outstanding , the dioramas are realy top class, the effect of the river crossing is very good indeed.
the cabinet of medical finds is fantastic.
well done to all those involved in the expo a great museum.
Loz

[johan willaert]

Thanks LOZ,

I wish you could have spent more time looking over the displays...
But your passage is still very much appreciated!

Cheers,

Johan

[Alain]

Hi Johan,
The visit was certainly worthwhile !
I truly enjoyed every minute of it - great dioramas, some extraordinary vehicles, a midget German submarine, fabulous number of British and Canadian dummies, and a real treasure trove of US Army, US Navy, US Medical Department, US Signal Corps, US Corps of Engineers items, etc. in individual show cases !
Sadly, the American part will be removed after 21 March 2010, since the main theme relates to the region's Liberation by the Canadian Forces !
Museum layout and design were handled by Pierre Verbreyt, the Belgian decorator who helped set up the 2004 Greatest Generation show at S-M-E, and decorated the "Dead Man's Corner Museum" ... that man is a real artist !

There are extra details that still need to be addressed, such as captions, legends, photographs, illustrations, and background data, primarily intended for the large public, but for us, collectors and re-enactors, who are more familiar with the WW2 period, it sure is not a problem.

Absolutely recommended,
Alain
Alain

[johan willaert]

Hi Alain,

Thanks for your visit and your short review!
Glad you liked it!

Cheers,

Johan