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NEWS
Latest Exhibitions
Amongst the new exhibits at the Museum are two new displays dealing with the defence of Britain against the proposed German invasion of 1940.
We have acquired a set of documents, maps, plans and photographs of the intelligence the Germans used to plan the invasion. These are remarkable documents; they show the extent of German intelligence gathering that was going on in Britain before the war began. Years of work have gone into producing these plans, which are published in booklet form for the use of German commanders in the field. You can see these booklets, the maps and illustrations on display.
We have also acquired a unique selection of items and documents relating to the Auxiliary Battalions. These were units set up in 1940 by the direct order of Churchill, their role was to go into hiding after a German invasion and create havoc behind German lines, within Britain. They were to carry out sabotage missions and assassinations of high ranking German officers. The men who were chosen for this role were sworn to secrecy and it was not until the late 1970’s that what their mission was came to light.
Both of these exhibitions give a new slant on what an invasion would have been like had it happened and equally pose many questions. Would the Auxiliaries have been successful? Who provided the Germans with the information, some of it very technical, that they compiled their intelligence with? The questions are there for you to consider......
Lord Paddy Ashdown becomes Patron of the Combined Military Services Museum.
The Museum is very fortunate to have gained a new fan in the form of Lord Paddy Ashdown. Lord Ashdown came to the Museum to carry out research for a new book he is writing on the Cockleshell Heroes raid, he viewed the Cockleshell archive and had a good look at our Cockle Canoe during his visit. As a consequence of his visit Lord Ashdown has been in contact with both the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Imperial War Museum, to organise specialist conservators using the latest hi tech equipment to authenticate our canoe as being Catchelot, the only surviving canoe from the raid. The Museum has recently also had the privilege of working with Dr Sonia O'Connor from Bradford University and Natham Bailey from 3DX-RAY who's company very kindly donated the use of their specialist equipment and his time to assist with the ongoing research.
Lord Ashdown’s contacts have given invaluable help to the Museum’s research programme and through his good offices we have made some very useful contacts for the future development of the Museum.
We were delighted when he accepted our offer to become Patron of the Museum and are looking forward to an interesting and fruitful relationship in the future. In his acceptance letter Lord Ashdown specifically recognises the high standards that the Museum has attained in both the display of artefacts and the facilities offered to serious researchers and the general visitor alike. This is a great tribute to the Museum, to Richard, the founder and Director of the Museum and to the Museum staff, all of whom strive to make your visit a memorable and interesting one.
Combined Military
Services Museum
Station Road
Maldon Essex CM9 4LQ
Telephone 01621 841826
Open Wednesday to Sunday
Bank Holiday Mondays and every day during school holidays
10.30am to 5pm
Last admission 4pm
Bank Holiday Mondays and every day during school holidays
10.30am to 5pm
Last admission 4pm