What is Armour and Embarkation?

Dorset played a key role in the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe. The US First Division was based here and left on D-Day for Bloody Omaha, embarking from Weymouth and Portland. Armour and Embarkation is a representation of the build-up to D-Day here in Dorchester. We travel the exact roads the men travelled in 1944. It is an event of commemoration and remembrance. The sights, sounds and smells would have been the same as they were on D-Day.

Is the event public and can I visit the show?

It is a moving convoy and does not have a show site.

Where can I see the convoy?

Elements of the convoy will be at the following locations:

• Weymouth Promenade, 6pm to 8pm, Friday 19 June

• The Tank Museum, Bovington, 12pm to 2pm, Saturday 20 June
• Weymouth Avenue, next to Brewery Square, Dorchester, 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday 20 June
• Martinstown, Dorchester, 12pm to 2pm, Sunday 21 June

All times are approximate and depend on the routes we take.

Can I see the vehicles up close?

Yes, you can see the vehicles up close, walk among them and speak to the drivers and crews when we are parked at the above times and locations. We very much welcome questions.

Will you be publishing the routes you will be taking?

No, we do not share the full routes for two reasons. First, we do not know until the day which routes we will be taking, as many last-minute variables, such as roadworks and weather, dictate the route. Second, we do not want roads becoming congested with cars parked along the sides, which can cause significant inconvenience to local residents. Tanks are very wide, so parked vehicles can also stop the convoy in its tracks if we need to manoeuvre around them!

Will there be any events happening in Dorchester on the Saturday before you arrive?

Yes. We are working with Dorchester BID and Brewery Square to host WW2 vehicles, living history displays and stalls in Brewery Square throughout the day.

Who owns the vehicles?

All the vehicles are privately owned and maintained.