An exhibition of rarely seen images of the historic preparations for Operation Overlord have been unveiled on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Weymouth in Dorset is where American forces arrived and prepared for their departure to Normandy to storm Omaha beach on shortly after daybreak on June 6, 1944.
Nothe Fort and Weymouth Museum have spent several months working together to develop a new exhibition commemorating the role the town played in D-Day.
It features stories from the community and specially edited films of rarely seen still and moving images that capture the atmosphere of the time.
Weymoth Museum and Nothe Fort are showing a feast of images of the town taken on D-Day which have remained hidden for eight decades
Thousands of US troops embarked at Weymouth to sail for Normandy – many of whom would land on Omaha beach on D-Day
Katie Hebditch, from Weymouth Museum, said: ‘Weymouth Museum holds a wonderful collection of historic photographs. We are delighted to work with Nothe Fort to show iconic images of the D-Day preparations in Weymouth in their new exhibition.
Read More
How D-Day unfolded, hour by hour: On the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord, MailOnline’s scintillating visualisations recount the daring mission to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe in forensic detail
‘These pictures show the anxious faces of the American troops as they bravely set off to Normandy, the support of the town in helping with the preparations, and the previously rather hidden role of the black American GIs on D-Day.
‘The exhibition is a fitting tribute to the bravery of the men involved and shows the vital part that Weymouth and Portland played.’
Lucy Watkins, from the Nothe Fort, said: ‘Our volunteers have worked terrifically on our 80th Anniversary of D-Day exhibition. They have come together with Weymouth residents to mark a moment in time that changed Weymouth and the course of World War Two forever.
‘We are looking forward to sharing moving images, sounds and sights with local and wider audiences alike to commemorate the sacrifices made by those who fought, suffered, and died for our freedom.’
Infantry from the US 1st Division were loaded onto small landing craft in Weymouth harbour and taken out to larger transporter ships in the Bay.
The events to mark the 80th anniversary include guided walks, a soundscape, a commemorative radio station, expert talks and a special event on June 6 ending with the beacon lighting.
The landing craft could deliver 30 fully equipped troops onto a beach, but were vulnerable to heavy sea and accurate fire from artillery and heavy machine guns
The US troops embarked their ships several days before the planned invasion ahead of the invasion on June 6
Troops spent an extra night onboard their ships as the invasion date was pushed back because of a poor weather forecast
