American forces changed Local Life
American troops left indelible marks within South Kesteven after their arrival to join the Allies here at the end of 1943.
Until December 1941, the United States had remained neutral, but an attack by the Japanese on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor saw them enter the war.
Transport crews and aircraft of the US IX Troop Carrier Command arrived in the East Midlands, as well as the US 82nd Airborne Division, specialising in parachute assault operations into hostile areas.
D-Day Commemorative Brochure
Deprived of all but basic wartime food rations, British adults and children alike appreciated the warmth and easy-going friendliness of American servicemen – and their unexpected generosity with chewing gum, chocolate, fruit, orange juice, lemon meringue pie and doughnuts!
A D-Day commemorative brochure from 1992, printed as a tribute to the American wartime contribution, is a unique illustration of wartime South Kesteven.
Nostalgia-rich stories illustrate how life changed across towns and villages, with dances, romance, weddings and the unforgettable spectacle of US C-47 Dakotas on day and night training manoeuvres.
Dogs were popular American mascots, including one local mongrel called Mick adopted by airmen at RAF Barkston Heath. Brutus, a Folkingham squadron mastiff, survived a glider crash landing in France after troops took him with them.
Read the full commemorative brochure below (use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate, or click the on-screen arrows).
War Orphans Fund delivers special day out at RAF Barkston Heath
US servicemen organized parties for local children, providing food and gifts and raising money through the War Orphans Fund. Troops from RAF Barkston Heath pushed the boat out to make a very special day for two youngsters called Eileen and Norman.
US Pathfinder crew and paratroopers before D-Day mission from RAF North Witham
Specially trained Pathfinder troops of the US 82nd 'All American' Airborne Division and US 101st 'Screaming Eagles' Airborne Division (of ‘Band of Brothers’ fame) took part in the legendary US Pathfinder paratrooper mission from RAF North Witham in South Kesteven.
The 82nd Airborne Division flew from East Midlands airfields in their thousands on D-Day and Operation MARKET GARDEN. Theirs was a battle-experienced division, having dropped and fought in Sicily and Italy. Men were drawn from all 48 states of the Union (Alaska and Hawaii did not become states until 1959), which earned them the nickname ‘All American’ as a result and the letters 'AA' on their Divisional badge.
For more information on the Airborne Assault on D-Day, click here:
For more information on Operation MARKET GARDEN, click here:
Ronald and Eileen enjoyed a five star welcome at RAF Barkston Heath
US troops treated Eileen and Ronald
Technical Sergeant Theodore Carter Brewer while serving with the US 314th Troop Carrier Group at Saltby during World War II. (via Beryl Guest)
The American GI father that Beryl never knew
Lt Col David Hamilton at RAF North Witham in June 2019