PLEASE NOTE: The Varnum Continentals will have a table at this event! The public is invited to the world premiere of the new documentary film “D-Day: Over Normandy” narrated by the only five-time Super Bowl-winning head coach in NFL history, Bill Belichick. This event will be hosted by The Vets Auditorium in Providence, RI on […]
[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Aleutians Campaign of World War II and a Varnum Continentals Connection
In February of 1942, by order of Chief of Staff General George Marshall, the cumbersome reporting mechanisms of the Army were reorganized into three components: Ground Forces, Air Forces, and Services of Supply (later to be simply known as the Service Force that also included the Army’s Technical Services). Among the latter was the Quartermaster […]
[GALLERY] World War II German Parachute with Carrying Case
Also shown is a 1943 MP-40 submachine gun.
[FEATURE ARTICLE] Red Roses & Silver Wings: A World War II Memoir with a Varnum Connection
By the early spring of 1945, the end of the war in Europe was in sight. The Battle of the Bulge was over and Russian troops were pushing towards Berlin. But the fighting continued on the ground and in the air. Our story this month is typical of thousands of others: a young married couple, […]
[FEATURED EXHIBIT] World War II 1941 Soviet-Made Model TT-33 “Tokarev” Pistol
Here’s an interesting new addition to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s World War II collection: a 1941 Soviet-made Model TT-33 “Tokarev” pistol. Known for its rugged and reliable design, this pistol (chambered in 7.62 x 25mm) was developed in the 1930s by Fedor Tokarev to replace the aging Model 1895 Nagant revolver. The pistol saw […]
[JAN. 9 DINNER MEETING] Ernest Roberts Shares First-Hand Experiences from World War II
The Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive of World War II, was launched just over 73 years ago. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called it, “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.” Our January speaker, Mr. Ernest Roberts, was a […]
[FEATURE ARTICLE] Rhode Island Enters World War II: The Aftermath of Pearl Harbor and Block Island’s Defiant Response
By the time the Japanese launched their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago this month, Rhode Island had already been gearing up for America’s potential entry into World War II. At the mouth of Narragansett Bay and along the shoreline facing ocean waters, the Army’s massive coast defense forts were manned primarily by […]
WWII Foundation presents Remember Pearl Harbor
November 13, 2016 • 1:00 PM Narrated by Tom Selleck Sunday, December 7, 1941 was a beautiful morning on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. A few sailors and soldiers were already up and playing a game of football near Pearl Harbor. Others were sleeping in their barracks or aboard ships after a late night of […]
[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Legendary M1 Garand Rifle: “Best Battle Implement Ever Devised”
The M1 Garand rifle is perhaps the weapon most closely identified with the U.S. infantryman in World War II. General George S. Patton once called it “the best battle implement ever devised.” The 30.06 caliber Garand, weighing in at almost 10 pounds, with its hefty American walnut stock and 8-round clip, is still successful competitively […]
[GALLERY] Varnum Armory’s Updated World Wars Display
Check out the updated World Wars display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! Just go here to book a tour!