Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dead Man's Corner Museum
In 1944, the Germans used this French home as a regional headquarters. Today, a tiny mu-
seum recounts the terrible battles that took place around the town of Carentan from June 6
to 11. A swampy inlet divided Omaha and Utah beaches, and it was critical for the Amer-
icans to take this land so that the armies on each beach could unite and move forward. But
the Germans resisted, and a battle that was supposed to last one afternoon endured for five
days and left more than 2,000 Americans dead. American soldiers named the road below
the museum “Purple Heart Lane.”
The museum is ideal for enthusiasts and best for collectors of WWII paraphernalia
(but overkill for the average traveler). Every display case shows incredible attention to de-
tail. Dutch owner/collector/perfectionist Michel Detrez displays onlyoriginal material. He
acquired much of his collection from American veterans who wanted their “souvenirs” to
be preserved for others to see. The museum doubles as a sales outlet, with a remarkable
collection of D-Day items for sale—both original items and replicas.
