Our Views: Museum hosts new exhibit

World War II was won in large part by American soldiers, airmen and sailors, but also through the industrial might of factories staffed by American workers back on the home front.

That reality hits home in a massive new exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. At the museum’s U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, visitors can view six American warplanes that helped turn the tide of victory for the Allies. Among them is the iconic B-17 bomber, nicknamed “The Flying Fortress” because of its massive scale and capabilities. The airplanes, along with a Sherman tank, several vehicles and a mock-up of a period submarine, are testaments to the technological know-how and industrial productivity that helped win the war against the Axis powers.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt rightly called the collective production of these machines America’s “arsenal of democracy.” The war machines on display at the National World War II Museum also underscore a sober paradox. These things of beauty were, by their nature, designed to be destructive. They are a potent reminder of the misery of World War II — and of any war.

We hope that Americans never have to face such a global war again. But the new exhibit at the National World War II Museum is a stirring tribute to American resolve when human liberty was threatened around the world.

We urge readers to visit the National World War II Museum and see for themselves.

Comments

1) Comment by tradewinns - 20/01/2013

while all americans deserve credit for their efforts in WWII, please do not glamorize without pointing out the warts as well. as an example, during WWII the dock unions (i know in ny and nj) went on strike for higher wages while the remander of the nation was under price controls and rationing. the government gave in because the workers were felt to be critical in the war effort. if i had been FDR, not a single one of them would have missed the opportunity to help our nation by serving on the front lines, not in the war theater, but the very front lines. perhaps they could then write their replacement workers and extoll them to work harder and faster so the needed munitions and health care items were where they were needed when needed. the unions should NEVER be forgiven for their actions AND their not so patriotic actions should be presented as equally as any other war effort.

2) Comment by 8point6 - 18/01/2013

www.archive.org/details/TheLastBomb1945 This lasts a little over thirty minutes, however, it is very interesting. Something the younger generation should see.

3) Comment by potkcalb - 18/01/2013

The British beat Rommel in Africa and in the Battle of Brittain they prevented the invasion of England by the Nazis. Without England as a base the Allies could hardly have engineered an invasion of the european mainland. The Russians turned the tide against Germany at a cost of millions and millions of their lives. Yes they got Lend Lease aid from America,but it began in earnest in 1942 after the German offensive had failed to take Moscow.

4) Comment by [e-mail] - 18/01/2013

I love the World II Museum; I'm a contributor and I visit it often.

5) Comment by [e-mail] - 18/01/2013

Even the Russians did it in large part with the help of American food and supplies.

6) Comment by Being_Stupid - 18/01/2013

The British didn't do anything except flee France. You can thank the English Channel.

7) Comment by potkcalb - 18/01/2013

World War II was won in large part by Americans? Have you forgotten the British and the Russians?

8) Comment by simbatigercat - 18/01/2013

Just went my self. way KOOL !