To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944, the Ventnor & District Local History Society is launching a booklet and exhibition highlighting Ventnor’s (and the Isle of Wight’s) role in the invasion and the experiences of local residents and military personnel.
The Isle of Wight was closer to the Normandy beaches than any other part of Britain, and the Ventnor district hosted vital facilities such as the RAF radar station, a Royal Navy wireless interception station and the main radio station used for communication between the high command and the invasion forces.
What to expect
The exhibition features the logbook (supervisors’ diary) from RAF Ventnor covering 17th May to 12th June 1944, currently on loan to the Ventnor Heritage Centre from a private collector.
The original will be on display and visitors can browse a facsimile and transcript. The title of the new booklet, “Oh Day of Days!”, is taken from a logbook entry just after the invasion was officially announced at 9:30 am on the morning of D-Day.
Both booklet and exhibition feature unique photographs from the Society’s collection as well as from archives in the United States, the UK and Germany.
Visit the exhibition
The exhibition opens on 5th June and admission is free.
The booklet is now on sale for £4.50 (plus postage) through the Society’s online shop or for £4.50 in the Ventnor Heritage Centre and will be available at the Society’s monthly talks on 31st May and 28th June.
Ventnor Heritage Centre
The Ventnor Heritage Centre can be found at 11 Spring Hill, Ventnor PO38 1PE, and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10am-1pm and Fridays 10am-4pm.
It is closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
For further information contact Dr Jeffrey Mazo, VDLHS Secretary, on [email protected].
News shared by Jeff, in his own words. Ed
