In Focus: The Flying Nightingales
In Focus: The Flying Nightingales 80 Years on from D-Day is a new temporary exhibition that will explore the often unknown stories of a heroic and remarkable group of WAAF women who were vital to the outcome of World War II.
6th June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the beginning of the Normandy Invasion. This major event of Second World War saw the allied forces landing in five locations along the coast in Northern France to push further inland to liberate France from Germany, and ultimately end the war.
Through this new exhibition, we mark the anniversary by exploring a group of women who worked during the invasion and that have been relatively forgotten – The Flying Nightingales.
The Flying Nightingales were a group of women who worked in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Many had nursing backgrounds and were working as orderlies, helping to move supplies and servicemen across the country. During the planning for D-Day and the Normandy invasion they were asked if they would go one step further and travel into the scenes of the battles to assist with the evacuation of casualties.
Come and find out more about these remarkable women.
In addition to these incredible stories, view never before seen objects and artifacts from this time. Discover the tunic worn by Corporal Phyllis Bull, a Dakota cockpit gauge from an air ambulance, and so much more.
Buy your museum tickets here:
Check out what the press is saying about this exhibit!
BBC News Flying Nightingales: Women who flew into WW2 battles celebrated