THE WWII MUSEUM OF LAHIJAN
THE FIRST AND ONLY WW2 MUSEUM IN IRAN
About the Museum
The WWII Vanguard Museum of Lahijan was established in 2017 as a private collection focusing on WWII artifacts and serving as an educational center for WWII history.
The collection has been curated by Caren J. Omidi from various locations worldwide and displayed in different rooms within an old office building. Each room is designed to represent a specific theater of the Second World War.
When discussing World War II, familiar battles like the Battle of Normandy, Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands, the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Stalingrad in the Soviet Union, and the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific often come to mind. However, the role of Iran in this global conflict is often overlooked. In August 1941, Anglo-Soviet forces launched an invasion of Iran to secure a strategic pathway for sending military aid to the Soviet Union. Subsequently, the US established the Persian Gulf Command to facilitate the delivery of lend-lease assistance to the Soviet Union through the Persian corridor. In 1943, the leaders of the three main Allied nations, including FDR from the USA, Churchill from the UK, and Stalin from the USSR, convened for the Tehran Conference. Located in the province of Gilan, beside the Caspian shores, Lahijan is renowned for its agriculture and forests. Amidst these natural attractions, the WWII Vanguard Museum stands as a unique site dedicated to preserving the history of World War II in Iran. Despite being bombed and occupied by the Soviet Union during the war, Lahijan now hosts the first and only WWII museum in Iran. Established in 2017, the museum was meticulously curated by Caren Omidi, who collected artifacts from various nations, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the US, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Additionally, newspapers and documents were sourced locally in Iran. Since its official opening to the public in May 2021, the museum has become a vital resource for understanding Iran's involvement in World War II.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11 to 18
Address: Iran, Guilan province, city of Lahijan, Langarud Highway, Directly across from Abshar Hotel, Qassab Mahalleh
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Educating students is one of the primary missions of The WW2 Museum of Lahijan. Each month, groups of students ranging from primary schools to universities visit the museum to delve into the history of World War II.
The WWII Vanguard Museum of Lahijan
Room of the Axis Powers
Room of the Allied Powers
The Iran room
The Gun Room
The Soviet Room
The Projector Room
The Gun Room
The Museum's building
Uniforms of British and Commonwealth forces during the early years of WW2 such as the battles in Norway and France in 1940
Soviet sniper in the Battle of Stalingrad 1942 in massive and deadly urban battles, both Men and Women of The Soviet Red Army took part in this great battle as snipers to combat the German 6th army in Stalingrad
Sicily Paratrooper: US Airborne uniform and gear during Operation Husky in Sicily July 1943
D-Day Paratrooper: American airborne gear and uniform from the Normandy landings, June 6, 1944
WAC Uniform: Women who served with purpose: the WWII Women’s Army Corps.
D-Day Infantry: Standard U.S. infantry combat uniform worn during the D-Day invasion.
On June 6t,h 1944, men of the US 2nd Rangers managed to secure the strategic high ground and silence a small battery of long-range German guns that had been moved inland. The battle for Pointe du Hoc became one of the most heroic moments of the D-Day
Allied commanding officer June 6t,h 1944.
The 'Market Garden' plan employed all three divisions of First Allied Airborne Army. The US 101st Division was ordered to capture Eindhoven, and bridges over the canals and rivers north of the town.
American 101st Airborne paratrooper in a class-A uniform in an English pub 1944
US Army WW2 checkpoint in the museum's front yard
American MP 1945 in the occupation of Germany
Iranian soldier August 1941.
US Army Sergeant in The Persian Gulf Command in Iran
The WW2 Memorial
French nurse early war years 1940
WW2 German Stahlhelm
US M1 Helmet found in Bastogne
French WW2 kepi hat for artillery officers
Original uniforms from the Allies during WW2
Iranian soldiers training with a machine gun 1930s
British Brodie helmet
"Vive les Allies" from VE day 1945 in France
Photo of two Iranian soldiers in the 1930s
A Persian Gulf Command shoulder patch—handmade by a local Iranian during World War II.
The Persian Gulf Command of the US cup with a map of Iran
Rommel's Afrika Korps figures 1941-1943
World War II–era Iranian gas mask
