Fort Miles Museum World War II Film and Lecture Series to start Jan. 28
The Fort Miles Museum is expanding its public programming in 2017, highlighted by a new World War II Film and Lecture Series. The series will be a part of a monthly Museum Open House starting Saturday, Jan. 28. The new programs are in addition to regularly scheduled tours of Battery 519 and the museum's Art Gallery.
The Fort Miles Film and Lecture Series will be moderated by Dr. Gary D. Wray, president of the Fort Miles Historical Association. Each session will include discussion of the Delaware connection to the topic.
Upcoming topics and start times are as follows:
At 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, a program on the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor will feature the air heroics of Lt. George Welch of Wilmington. A Saint Andrew’s School alumnus, Welch shot down four of the 29 Japanese planes lost that fateful day. He was the first American soldier to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II.
At 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, there will be a program on the German submarine attack on the East Coast of the United States. It will include narration of the surrender of U 858, the first German warship to surrender to U.S. forces, May 14, 1945. U 858 was docked at Fort Miles, where the crew was held, and was then taken to the Philadelphia Naval Yard.
At 3 p.m., Saturday, March 25, the topic will be the Doolittle raid. Co-pilot Lt. Col. Dick Cole is the last surviving Doolittle raider. Attendees will learn more about the B-25s flown during this raid, and the details of the still-flying B-25 housed at the Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown. Autographed copies of Cole's book "Dick Cole's War" will be on sale.
At 1 p.m., Saturday, April 29, a discussion will explore The Battle of Midway, featuring the artwork of local resident Paul Rendel. Retired USN Captain Bill Manthorpe will talk about breaking the Japanese JN-25 code and the role of Commander Joe Rochefort.
At 3 p.m., Saturday, May 27, the topic will be the bombing of Europe. Attendees will learn about the Boeing B-17 and its famous ball turret gunner. Dubbed the Flying Fortress, the B-17 was the most famous bomber of World War II.
Museum open house hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to Battery 519 is $5. Admission is free to the museum's new artillery park, and the film and lecture series. Seating is limited. For tour tickets, call 302-644-5007, and for more information about the film and lecture series, call 302-645-0753.
