My Day Alone in London

While Amanda was off learning how to not be a loud and obnoxious American I spent my day alone in London wondering the corridors of the Imperial War Museum. I love military history! Not the death and destruction associated with the actual event, but rather how the nature of an individual is revealed during times of peril and more over how humanity deals with conflict on a vast scale. I read a book a few years back concerning Napoleon’s Russian campaign. It described in vivid detail the struggle his soldiers faced as they battled both the opposing Russian defenders and the brutal effects a winter campaign has on a soldier far from home. The emotions those soldiers felt centuries ago are transcendent with those who have experienced conflict throughout history which is one of the reasons I believe places like the Imperial War Museum are so vital.

During my visit, I was surprised to learn that the exhibits only date back to the years leading up to WWI to present. I must admit I was hoping to see exhibits from early English history however the exhibits that were on display were very impressive.

As you approach the Museum you are greeted by two 15” naval guns which are pictured above. The guns were taken from two different battleships, the Ramillies and the Resolution, and saw service from 1915 until they were scheduled to be scrapped prior to 1968.

Upon entering, I was greeted by an array of military equipment of the WWI, WWII and Cold War Vintage. A few of my favorite pieces are pictured below. The first is a portable bomb shelter employed during the Blitz. Civil Servants who were responsible for ushering citizens to the bunkers around London could take cover in these tiny metal shells to protect themselves from shrapnel and falling debris. The second photo is of a U.S. M4 Sherman. While not as big as its German or Russian counterparts, it was by far the most reliable and versatile tank of the war. The last photo is of the P-51 Mustang. A long range fighter this aircraft essentially won the air over Europe.

While the equipment on hand was interesting, especially when the museum took the time to track down were each piece was during key moments of the respective wars they still weren’t as interesting as the actual exhibits depicting WWI, WWII, the Holocaust and 1946 to present.

After spending the first hour rambling through the military equipment, I headed towards the WWI and WWII exhibits. A lot of the information within the exhibit is covered in grade school history books. What I didn’t recall hearing about during my time in school were the battles that occurred in places like the Ottoman Empire, Siberia and across Africa during WWI. It took me about two and a half hours to work my way through both exhibits and still felt like I rushed through it a little bit. Telling Amanda this I think made her glad she’d gone to work and left me alone at the museum. Hours of military strategy are just not her style.

At this point I was beginning to feel a little peckish, so I left the Museum and walked across to The Grand Union Pub for a burger and chips. I still haven’t gotten used to English beef yet but it was one of the better burgers I have had over here.

Satisfied with my dining choice I returned to the Museum to check out the MI-5 exhibit and the Holocaust exhibit. I began with the Holocaust exhibit mainly because Amanda and I had visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. a few years ago and found it fascinating and moving and I knew that once I got into the exhibit I knew I would be there for awhile. It turns out I was right. It was around 1:30 when I entered the exhibit and three hours later it was time for me to leave so I could meet up with Amanda for dinner.

As it was the 4th of July, Amanda had found us a place that would realize what an important day it was for us. So we went to the Texas Embassy. We met quite a few people who were doing the exact same thing. Many from Oklahoma, a few from Chicago and even couple wearing SMU t-shirts. Some fajitas were just what I needed to cap off my exciting day.