Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Invading Louisiana

AI Van at Cafe du Monde
New Orleans, LA
Proceeding west on I-10 from Alabama, we soon arrived in historic New Orleans.  This wonderful city lies on the gateway of the Mississippi river.  General Andrew Jackson fought and won the battle of New Orleans against the British here in 1815 at the conclusion of the War of 1812.

Napoleon House, a charming bar in the French quarter, was built around 1820 as part of a conspiracy to liberate Napoleon from his British captors on the island of St. Helena.  Napoleon House was designed to be his home in the New world.  Napoleon himself foiled the plot by dying, most probably of stomach cancer, in 1821.
CK at Commander's Palace
New Orleans has wonderful restaurants, gulf oysters and some incredible nightlife.  Commander's Palace (http://www.commanderspalace.com/) is a bastion of the old school Southern cooking -- you can even have the politically incorrect but delicious turtle soup.  Cafe du Monde (http://www.cafedumonde.com/) has been making their trademark beignets and chicory coffee since 1862.  As you can see from my photo above, they are open 24 /7 all year long.

Higgins Boat
National WW2 Museum
During World War II New Orleans was vital to the war effort on account of the construction of wooden Higgins boats that were used for amphibious invasions.  These boats were used in both the European and Pacific theaters of operations.

Sherman Tank
National WW2 Museum
Today New Orleans is home to the National World War II Museum (http://nationalww2museum.org/).  This growing museum has a fine collection of World War II aircraft.
B-17E Bomber, "Flying Fortress"
New Orleans, LA
The B-17 was the workhorse bomber for the US Army Air Corps in World War II.  You can see the video I shot at the IWM/Duxford for America Invades on the B-17 here...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Rjwz5niWc.

P-51 Mustang
New Orleans, LA
You will also find a P-51 Mustang that helped to escort Allied bombers to targets in Nazi-occupied Europe.  Here is my take on this type of plane shot at the IWM / Duxford...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOofbj9d3Cg.

Barbara Sure
National WW2 Museum
The highlight of the National WW2 Museum was the opportunity to watch the 4-D film "Beyond All Boundaries" which plays there on the hour.  It was executive produced and narrated by Tom Hanks.  This short film manages to deliver an excellent overview of the bloodiest war in human history.

WW2 Nose Art
National WW2 Museum
Thanks for your service, Louisiana!




1 comment:

  1. When I go to New Orleans I'll make sure I go to see the museum that has the WW2 History that has been spoken about. My Great Uncle was there during the Pearl Harbor Attack.

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