VIRTUAL
TOUR
"THE END OF THE WAR"
(ROOM I. - final part)
The trip through the exhibition led you back into the first room, where the front and left side covers the end of war - Spring 1945 time. This finish the exhibition by the section of our current activities and Museum awards wall. |
YOU ARE NOW
HERE:
(click on the chart for details)
8th US Army Air Force Frighter Command on April / May
1945 - strafing missions and hunting |
Lt. Frederick Swauger (78th FG) - P-51D Mustang - POW - 17th April 1945 - Marianske Lazne, CZ |
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A build in showcase with uniform of Lt. Frederick Swauger 78th FG who became as POW after his trip over Czechoslovakia on April 17th, 1945 | Note the two P-51 pictures. Both of them display Fred Swauger´s MX-E which he crashlanded near of Marianske Lazne, CZ (Marienbad) | Also this model was donated by Fred "Sam" Swauger. This is the Mustang he flew on his last combat mission. | Fred Swauger was one of our honorary guests on
the Museum opening ceremony in September 1997 (Other photo of Fred Swauger from the Museum opening ceremony you may see here) |
The Preddy brothers - Maj. George E. Preddy, Jr. (352nd FG) - P-51D Mustang - KIA - 25th December 1944 & Lt. William R. Preddy (339th FG) - KIA 17th April 1945 - Zaluzi u Ceskych Budejovic, CZ & Capt. Raymond E. Reuter (339th FG) - KIA 17th April 1945 - Borsov u Ceskych Budejovic, CZ |
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The wall panel dedicated to Preddy Brothers and Capt. Reuter. George E. Preddy was famous, top scoring ace on P-51 Mustangs | Both brothers George and William Preddy lies together on the St. Avold American Cemetery in France. We have visited their graves in March 2002 | Cousin of Preddy brothers, Mr. Joe Noah, visited this museum on March 30, 2001. He is founder and manager of the Preddy´s Memorial Foundation dedicated to his two cousins | Emblems of Preddy´s units - the 352th FG and the 503rd FS of 339th FG. This squadrow was also one of serious participants on the air battle over the Ore Mountains on 11th September 1944. |
Older brother George was killed by a
mistake by allied flak while he chased German fighter on Christmas 1944. Younger brother
Bill was killed by German flak while action over Bohemia. |
Col. Antonin Vendl (No. 501.& 313. Squadron RAF, 1.CSSLD) |
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A corner dedicated to our dear friend, Col. Antonin Vendl, Czechoslovak volunteer in RAF. He flew Spitfires and Hurricanes in 501 and 303 squadrons RAF. Later he volunteered for USSR where he helps to build first Czechoslovak fighter unit in USSR (1944). He also participated on the Slovak National Uprising where he flew Lavockin La-5FN. After the war he has great problems with the communistic political system in Czechioslovakia. all the original pictures are painted by him. Since 1994 we build a great friendship with this superb and modest man. We called him Tonda, by Czech, English speaking friends called him Tony. Unfortunately, he died on 2nd April, 2002... |
Tonda Vendl seats in Spitfire Mk. V S/N EP 120 which he flew in 501. Sq RAF at least on one combat mission (actually this plane). After reconstruction the Spitfire is maintained by the Old Flying Company in Great Britain and fly on air shows. This Spit was used on the Dark Blue World movie, where was piloted by excellent pilot Nigel Lamb. Tony Vendl met this his old Spit while the movie filming in Hradcany, former military base in May 2000. See the RAF section on Room II for Tony Vendl RAF uniform. |
Our current activities |
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The "current time section" is final part of the exhibition. Our activities in relation to this museum begun when we were shoolboys in middle of 80´s, but to the public we opened our activities in 1994 by building of the memorial to airmen killed in the battle on 11th September 1944. This display area covers our activities since then till today. | Some of awards and memory documents given to the museum. Note the certificate of appreciation by the US Army CILHI (JPAC) for the Museum´s participation on research and recovery mission for missing Lt. William M. Lewis, Jr. (see details here - Oberhof section, room III.) | Global look into the "current time" showcase | |
Detail of the "current time" showcase - left side. The thin blue strip in front was used as symbol of the Museum opening, when it was cutted together by Don Farley (100th BG) and Hans Klaffenbach (JG 4), the battle participants. The silver tray in back was donated by the Gemaischaft der Jagdflieger, Jägerkreis Berlin | Detail of the "current time" showcase - right side. The cap below was donated by Col. Jack C. Moore while the Museum opening ceremony, the knife on right by LtCol. Jack W. Janssen, the book Cebtury bombers was donated bu our "sister" Museum, the 100th BG Memorial Museum in Thorpe Abbotts, England, etc. | A model of the 350th BS, 100th BG Jeep "Smiling Jack". | Contribution glass box with the wooden B-17 on top. Tjis nice B-17 model was donated by Jack W. Janssen, the battle participant nad one of our dear friends. Note the 100th BG Reunion document 2001 from Omaha, Nebrasca on back. |
Photos on this site may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Museum
You finished the "Final
part" of the exhibitiion,
back in Room I.
Like the real Museum visitor you
may now visit
the Museum PX Shop
to buy some publications, postcards, posters, etc.
and later return to read about the history, which
you have met in this Museum.
While entrance or leave the Museum
do not forget
to see also other exhibition areas of our museum:
(additional area)
or select another choice...
e-mail to Jan Zdiarsky