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A German Panzer III tank on loan from the Bovington Tank Museum travels up The Mall on a low-loader
The low-loader deposits the German Panzer III tank outside Buckingham Palace for a photo shoot to advertise the 'Living Museum' and Veteran's Awareness Week
A German Panzer III tank on loan from Bovington Tank Museum will form part of the WWII 'Living Museum' being constructed in St James's park, to mark the National Commemoration Week for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II

The once dreaded sight of a German Panzer tank at the gates of Buckingham Palace will remind us of what could have been were it not for the determination and bravery of an entire generation.

The tank, the second major piece of equipment in the WWII 'Living Museum' being constructed in St James's Park, arrived at Buckingham Palace on 23 June 2005 for a photo shoot to promote the temporary museum.

The Panzer III tank, supplied by the Tank Museum, in Bovington, Dorset, was built in 1942 and issued to the 8th Panzer Regiment, part of the 15th Panzer Division.  The division was sent to the Desert war in North Africa.  The Museum's vehicle was captured by British forces at the battle of Alam Halfa, Egypt in September 1942.  See the related article below, IN DEPTH: Panzerkampfwagen III L (Panzer III), for more details of the tank.

The temporary museum which is being built in St James's Park will offer an unprecedented opportunity for the public to see highlights from many of the Nation’s major collections simultaneously on a 25,000 square metre site.

In addition to the Panzer Tank the 'Living Museum' will encompass a wide range of groups providing re-enactments hands-on displays and memorabilia relating to the war years giving visitors a glimpse of wartime life.

Over 28 Museums and organisations are taking part to commemorate the lives of those men and women, both military and civilian, who experienced WWII – an event which has shaped the lives of subsequent generations and must never be forgotten.

Education and understanding are central to the concept of the "Living Museum" - today it is hard for younger generations to imagine wartime life and WWII will soon no longer be part of living memory.

Through the "Living Museum" visitors will be able to learn about the experience of the war generation first hand, through real 'living history'.
 
Re-enactments and hands-on displays will give them a glimpse of wartime life, both military and domestic - from air-raids and black-outs, through to gas-mask training and code-cracking.  Visitors will be able to try on the clothes, pick up the objects and join in the songs.

The Ministry of Defence has been working closely with a team drawn from various Veterans Organisations for over a year to pull together the events designed to reflect both the poignant and celebratory aspects of the 60th Anniversary.

See the Related links below for the 60th Anniversary website which provides information about the many commemorative events being organised in London and around the Country.

Museum Opening hours at St James's Park, London, SW1 will be:

Monday 4 July 2005 1400 hrs - 2000 hrs (last entrance 1900 hrs)
Tuesday 5 July - Friday 8 July 2005 1200 hrs - 2000 hrs (last entrance 1900 hrs)
Saturday 9 July 2005 1100 hrs - 2000 hrs (last entrance 1900 hrs)
Sunday 10 July 2005 0900 hrs - 1400 hrs (last entrance 1300 hrs)

Pre-booked groups can benefit from early opening hours from 1100 hrs Tuesday - Friday.

Booking numbers are 020 7218 5639 and 020 7807 8935.

Related links:

• Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War Two
• 60th Anniversary website
• Veterans Agency
• Their Past Your Future
• The Royal British Legion
• The Bovington Tank Museum

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