The WWII Victory Museum is located in Auburn, Indiana, USA

When you want to make the most authentic games about WWII ever, you have to do your homework. This takes Gearbox Software game designers all over the world. Sometimes, some of the best places to go are right here in the USA. In preparation for Gearbox?s next Brothers in Arms Game and to interview World War II veterans for the Brothers in Arms History Channel Special we went to Indiana.

Why Indiana? Well, it just happens to be the home to the world's largest collections of soft-skinned and lightly-armored vehicles of the Second World War. The museum's collection includes an extensive number of vehicles, weapons, uniforms and small artifacts relating to World War II.

In preparation for the Brothers in Arms History Channel Special, World War II veterans from the 101st Airborne Division assembled at the museum to be interviewed by Gearbox?s film production company, Foglight Entertainment. With the help of Gearbox's Historical Director, Colonel John Antal, US Army (Ret.), these interviews became the main thrust of the highly-rated Brothers in Arms History Channel special. This two-hour documentary depicted the true story of the 101st Airborne, 502nd Parachute Infantry during the D-Day operation and employed Gearbox Brothers in Arms game footage to depict the actual battles that occurred during the invasion of Normandy.

Back Row: From left to right are Fred Bahlau (H/506th PIR), Leonard Schmidt (H/506th PIR), Don Burgett (506th PIR), Don Brinninstool (A/506th PIR), Bob Likam (326th Airborne Engineers), and Samuel Jordan (377th Glider Artillery Regiment).
Front Row: Colonel John Antal, US Army (Ret.) of Gearbox Software and WWII Victory Museum Director Bob Kraft.

It was a great honor to learn about the Normandy operation from these proud veterans who 61 years ago fought in Europe to help defeat Nazism. There stories are the stuff of legends - extraordinary men who experienced extraordinary events -- yet each of these men reminded us over and again that the real heroes are those who fought and died "over there." Their humility was very real and touching and we were awed to be in the presence of these patriotic Americans.

In addition to the men who made history, the museum has a tremendous array of vehicles, weapons and equipment that was used during World War II. The Gearbox Team used this opportunity to learn about this equipment and take hundreds of photos.

This PaK 38 (Panzerabwehrkanone 38), on display at the Auburn, Indiana WWII Victory Museum, was a German anti-tank gun that fired a 50 mm caliber shell.

The Victory Museum has tanks, halftracks, trucks, jeeps, cannons, rifles and much more from all the major combatants of the war. A 1945 Willys MB Jeep and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle are on display as well as more than 150 WWII-era vehicles from a dozen countries, including more than 25 motorcycles. Some of the equipment is "one of a kind" and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

So, if you are anywhere near Indiana, get to the Victory Museum as fast as you can. A tour of the entire facility will take you about an hour and a half, but you could easily spend all day there. WE did!

You will not only have a very educational trip, but you will more than likely meet a veteran as well. When you do, be sure to shake his or hand and tell him thank you for his or her service.

Here are some more photos and descriptions of things you can see at the Victory museum.

This Willys MB Jeep was field modified in 1944 with additional armor and is fitted with a Browning M1919A4 .30 cal. machine gun. The jeep is marked for the 82nd Airborne Division and is on display in the World War II Victory Museum's Years of Victory: Europe gallery.

This display from the World War II Victory Museum's Years of Victory: Europe gallery depicts the meeting of Soviet and American forces along the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. In the background of the scene are an M18 Buick "Hellcat" tank destroyer and a White M3A1 scout car.

The Gathering Storm Gallery of the World War II Victory Museum tells of the events leading up to the Second World War including the coming to power of the major tyrants. One of the major artifacts in this exhibit is a 1938 portrait of Adolf Hitler by Heinrich Knirr. This artifact is presented as the personification of evil so we may well remember and stand vigil against man's capacity of exploitation, cruelty, and inhumanity toward fellow man.

Pictured in front of the World War II Victory Museum is a 1945 Willys MB Jeep and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The museum's collection is comprised of more than 150 WWII-era vehicles from a dozen countries, including more than 25 motorcycles.

This Czechoslovakian-built 1944 Panzerjager 38t or Marder III is on display in the World War II Victory Museum's Years of Victory: Europe gallery. The vehicle is marked for the German 10th SS Panzer Division.

This German Sd Kfz 251 Ausf. A is one of the earliest examples of a half-tracked armored personnel carrier. This A model is believed to be the only one of its kind left in existence. A Sd Kfz 251 Ausf. C and a Sd Kfz 251 Ausf. D are also on display at the World War II Victory Museum.