The United States finds itself in a war with two theaters: the European and the Pacific. Berlin, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Manila, and Beijing are just some of the major cities in the hands of America’s enemies. Japan has rampaged through the Pacific pilfering most of allied-controlled lands. The US fleet in the Pacific is decimated after the surprise attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

To the average American today, it is hard to imagine just how precarious the situation was. To the average American in early 1942, it was reality. They knew it would take each and every person to contribute. To sacrifice. To work together. Only then could the country come out as the winning side. Not only that, it would take cooperation with other countries such as Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China. This is World War II. And there is no better place to learn about its impact than the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Going to the Museum

Let’s start off with the view of the National World War II Museum from the outside. If you’re arriving in the city at night, it’s unlikely you’ll miss the winged Bollinger Canopy of Peace lighting up the sky above the museum. It gives off the feeling that something important lies beneath, which you duly find out to be true. The museum itself is massive, consisting of 6 buildings (and a 7th on the way). Attached by a skywalk over Andrew Higgins Boulevard, the museum fills nearly two city blocks.

I found this interesting because this wasn’t my first time visiting New Orleans. The last time was over 20 years ago. Though my priorities as a 21 year old weren’t the same as they are now, it was incredible to me that I had no recollection of the National World War II Museum’s existence. How could New Orleans’ #1 attraction go completely unnoticed? It’s because on that first visit the museum didn’t exist in its current form at all. It comprised of one pavilion and focused only on the D-Day Invasion of Normandy instead of the war in its entirety. That is where the journey into the current museum begins.

The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion

The main entrance is located inside the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion (original pavilion), which also contains the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and the Arsenal of Democracy galleries. As mentioned earlier, the D-Day Invasion of Normandy is the “OG” gallery. New Orleans-based Higgins Industries manufactured the boats used to transport troops from the ships to the beaches of Normandy. Thus the connection between the city and the D-Day invasion.

The D-Day gallery does a fantastic job of detailing the plans and coordination required to pull off the largest amphibious invasion in history as the Allies attempted to pierce Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. The planning did not stop at how to invade the beaches of Normandy. Allied command also had to figure out what to do when the troops landed. Coded as Operation Overlord, the invasion included troops from land, sea, and air. The amazing thing is that if the invasion failed, there was no plan B. Everything counted on the invasion’s success.

The story of America’s role prior to officially entering World War II and the massive effort of the home front during the war is often underappreciated. The Arsenal of Democracy gallery seeks to inform guests of the colossal impact of American industry on the war. Prior to joining the war, America supported those opposed to fascism through its factories. Once America joined the fight in its own right, the women of the country played a crucial role in replacing the men who went off to the frontline. Whether it be rationing or putting in extra shifts at the factory, America’s home front embodied the sacrifice needed to see through the war.

The Solomon Victory Theater Pavilion

If the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion is the table setter for the museum, then the Solomon Victory Theater is the appetizer. All food analogies aside, your next stop should be this theater. You enter from level 2 via a skywalk if you’re coming from the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. Level 1 is where the 4D theater is located (separate ticket purchase required) and Level 2 houses the Merchant Marine gallery. I’d recommend you take your time at the Merchant Marine gallery because the risks they took to transport troops, weapons, and goods overseas are often unheralded. Just arrive to the 4D film 30-45 minutes early and take a look!

Speaking of the 4D film, its name is Beyond All Boundaries. The 48-minute film plays every hour and is narrated by executive producer Tom Hanks. It is accompanied by smoke, lights, props, and rumbling seats. The film is immersive and serves as a good summary of World War II. Just keep in mind that it is intended to whet your appetite for the museum; not replace the experience. The film particularly sets up well the next pavilion: The Campaigns of Courage.

Campaigns of Courage Pavilion

This is my favorite part of the whole museum. It houses The Road to Tokyo and The Road to Berlin galleries, covering the Pacific and European Theaters respectively. I feel both of these galleries do an excellent job of chronologically walking visitors through each of these facets of the war. Viewing them back-to-back really impressed upon me the challenge the US faced. The emphasis upon entering the war was defeating Hitler in Europe, but the US also had to keep the Japanese in check in the Pacific at the same time. This must have been a daunting thought.

I struggled how to write this part of the post. I could go on and on about the different battles and turning points in both theaters and each of their importance. Instead, I am going point a few parallels between the two theaters. First, both Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany initiated war in their respective theaters with surprise attacks. For Germany, this was the invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. For Japan, it was the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Second, the war started out as promising for both countries. Germany’s blitzkrieg stormed through Europe with military win after win after win, leaving only Great Britain standing. Japan followed up Pearl Harbor by seizing most of the Allies’ Pacific strongholds. By 1942, both Germany and Japan were at the height of their power and I can imagine the situation seemed bleak for the Allies.

Third, both theaters are known for horrific atrocities. In the Pacific Theater, the Rape of Nanking (or Nanjing Massacre) is one of the worst wartime atrocities in history. Though it occurred in 1937-38 and thus before the recognized start of World War II, other cities such as Manila would later suffer at the hands of Imperial Japan. In the European Theater, it was of course the Holocaust. I highly recommend you read The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland for a true, harrowing account of an escapee from Auschwitz.

Lastly, in 1945, just three years after each reaching their height of control, both Germany and Japan surrendered and World War II was over. How each theater ended was vastly different, but they both had this in common: the war between the Axis and Allies had concluded, and the Cold War between “The West” and the “Eastern Bloc” was about to begin.

The Rest of the Museum

Unfortunately, like everyone else on a trip, time was at a premium and we only got a glimpse of the rest of the museum. One of those glimpses was inside the US Freedom Pavilion. If you are interested in military aircraft, make sure to step inside to check out the suspended display here. Also, check out my post on the SAC Aerospace Museum.

I must mention the museum store as well, as I always find them enjoyable to browse in. The store at the National World War II Museum has a fabulous selection of books of the era, including many signed by the author. I picked up a signed copy of The Monuments Men by Roberts Edsel, which I am looking forward to reading.

Why Should I Go?

It’s a valid question, considering how many other things there are to do in New Orleans. I say you should go because above all, it’s just a really cool museum and is very professionally done. The museum does justice to one of the most significant events in world history. It also connects us to that time in a personal way. During my visit, I saw toddlers watching a black and white movie alongside a World War II veteran who may have seen those events with his own eyes. This war wasn’t just something we read about in textbooks in school. A visit to the National World War II Museum brings the war to life. Plus, the museum closes at 5pm, leaving you plenty of time to indulge in any flavor of nightlife you want!

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Make sure to check out my post 5 Things History To Do in New Orleans for other history-related ideas on your trip to New Orleans.