May 31, 2024

The World of Churchill Collectables

By BRIAN KRAPF

In honor of the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, last month’s column featured General Eisenhower’s letter to the D-Day forces. This month’s article features Field Marshal Montgomery’s letter to D-Day’s allied ground troops. While Eisenhower was supreme commander of the entire invasion (Operation Overlord), Montgomery served as commander of the troop landings on the Normandy beaches. Monty subsequently autographed the copy seen here in his characteristic red pen. He also dated the lower left margin in red, showing us his letter would have been provided to troops on 5 June, the day prior to D-day. 

The letters of Montgomery and Eisenhower are wonderful historical pieces and tangible relics from this important turning point of the Second World War. Anyone with an interest in D-Day should tour Britian’s National D-Day Museum at Portsmouth. It is a short walk from the naval yard museum complex. Britain’s National D-Day Museum uniquely combines numerous historical pieces with modern 3-D holographic technology. As an example, there is an entire wall devoted to the display of battle-worn landing craft flags, while an adjacent  holographic exhibit re-enacts soldiers disembarking from a landing craft.  Combining the D-Day Museum with all  the exhibits offered at the Portsmouth Naval Yard makes a wonderful day trip. For more information, visit https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/the-d-day-story-p221331

Brian Krapf’s book A Churchill Treasury: Sir Winston’s Public Service through Memorabilia will be published on June 30.