Memorial Pegasus, Military museum in Ranville, France
Memorial Pegasus is a museum in Ranville whose building echoes the shape of a Horsa glider at its entrance and courtyard. Its light brown stone facade carries a circular emblem of a blue Pegasus on a red ground, with "MEMORIAL PEGASUS" in black capitals beside it. Inside are letters, photographs, weapons, uniforms including General Richard Gale's, and Bill Millin's bagpipes; a three-acre park holds the original Pegasus Bridge and a full-size Horsa glider replica.
The museum opened in 2000 and centers on Pegasus Bridge, which British troops captured on June 6, 1944. This event was the starting point for Operation Tonga, one of the first combat actions of D-Day.
The place preserves the memory of the 6th British Airborne Division through displays of uniforms, weapons, and personal items from soldiers who fought here. Visitors can understand how this unit landed behind enemy lines during Operation Tonga.
The museum is located near Caen and operates from February through December with guided tours in multiple languages lasting around 75 minutes. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as there are outdoor grounds to explore.
The building's outline echoes the Horsa gliders used in the operation, and the park holds the original Pegasus Bridge, bought from the French authorities for one franc in 1999. Six monuments erected in June 2009 name the occupants of each of Major John Howard's six gliders.
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