Hello all I'm currently writing my dissertation on African American soldiers based on Britain during WW2 and lloking for any information you guys have. Books, articles, personal experiences, quotes, websites - i'm really inetersted in anything at all - if you have got any persoanl anecdotes or comments, i will likely ask your permission to quote you personally in my dissertation. i am particularly interested in the interaction between the british public and african american soldiers and white american soldiers - disputes, frienships etc If you're interested in this subject the key book is 'When Jim Crowe Met John Bull' by Graham Smith whcih covers political aspects, 'brown babies' and race riots etc Thanks
gtwomey, A small town called Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire, had a huge riot between the White and Black American soldiers. You can try the Lancashire Evening Post, the local paper for info. Believe at least one person was killed. Tom
I've seen at least one documentary on this subject , though I don't remember details . I believe I also remember an article in "The Guardian" , years ago . I have been told that an all Africanb Ameican warship visited Belfast during the war . There may be somethbing in the Belfast Telegraph . And didn't the African American Air Force group have to fly with the British ? I think I learned about that in one of the museums in Washington .
Hi, This may interest you: Second World War Online Learning Resource for Northern Ireland From the above site, "Below is an extract from a letter from a Black GI to the members of the Northern Ireland Government. 'Dear Sirs, I am an American, coloured, soldier. My group of fellows have been stationed here in Antrim for 9 months. We are trying to do our part in the fight for freedom, but since we have been here we have met so much sergregation [sic], prejudice and strife. Some time we doubt the allied cause. We are stationed near Antrim, located in the town, at the establishments of Hall’s and Murphy’s. They are hotel owners. In visiting these establishments, we have been sergregated. To describe one incident, a friend and I visited Hall’s, they refused to serve us because we are coloured. Dear Sir, you and I both know that regardless of colour, we are all human. We come to Ireland not because we wanted to, but we came to do our part in the war. Since being here we have gained the respect of the people of Ireland. One town in particular is Carrickfergus. We were there for five weeks and I can assure you that we were perfect gentlemen. When we left the people cried; they want us to stay there. The people of that town is giving us a party on the 23rd of this month. Sir, for the people like us then we must be gentlemen. The wee kids here they cried for us to return to them. We visit them at every opportunity. The people are always glad to see us. If we treat the people nice, then they should treat us the same. I believe that you are a man of justice and I think that you believe is right. Regardless to where a man is born or regardless to his colour, every man has his right to enjoy life here on this earth. Just because I am a dark man doesn’t mean I am not intelligent. The anatomy of the white man is the same as the dark man. God created all men as brother, and my belief is that since we are all here in Ireland we should live as brothers and sisters and not as enemies. We hate to walk the streets of Belfast merely because we are insulted. They use the words ‘nigger’ and ‘darky’. Those are two words that we hate. Those words were brought here by the American whites. The American whites taught the people those words in order to start strife and envy among the people and us. The Americans are the lowest breed of the human race. They fear us because of our ability to advance in knowledge. We want to be friends of the Irish, not enemies. We want the people to like us not hate us. If your people visit Africa, or some dark continent, they should be treated as human. Sir, will you try your influence on the people? To show our love for the Irish children, our battalion raised a fund to support an Irish orphan for five years. We love the children and they love us. As I walked through the streets of Ireland, accepting insults, I sometime wonder if the people are ignorant to the fact that they are insulting us. Please try your influence to correct the people on these errors. Print it in the paper that we are coloured Americans not niggers or darkies. Lately we have had fights with British sailors and soldiers. They call us Black Bastards, son-of bitches. We take these to a certain degree. Carrickfergus is the only town in Northern Ireland that we like because when we visited there we are treated like human. I believe all Irish are kind. I would reveal my name but if I did the American Authorities would Court Martial me. They don’t like the truth. I close in the name of the God of all men. A coloured soldier.'"
Hi, With this link you can see images of the original letter quoted in my previous post. Page Record Details Also from PRONI, "a Report from the Inspector General’s Office to the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 5 November 1943, setting out details of a ‘fracas’ between three American soldiers." Associated Image Hoping this is something which helps and is new information to you, Regards, D
Multitext - The first black American troops at Belfast docks, 14 July 1942. "The first black American troops at Belfast docks, 14 July 1942."
From BBC People's war - you might like to search for more examples here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/33/a3343033.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/01/a2291401.shtml
Hi, I have information from the local paper,that told of a black GI being killed in Antrim," army camp at lough shore, camp home to black american GIs but after one of them was murdered by a white soldier near Masserene bridge they were moved elsewhere." This happened in october 1942, it was said he was killed because of interracial dating.
US Army in Northern Ireland, 1941-1945 UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II: UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES IN NORTHERN IRELAND Order of Battle Headquarters, United States Army Northern Ireland Force (USANIF) Headquarters, Northern Ireland Base Section XXXVI North Ireland Base Section XXXVII North Ireland Base Section XXXVIII North Ireland Base Section XXXIX North Ireland Base Section Northern Ireland District, Western Base Section V Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Company, V Corps(2) XV Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Company,(3) XV Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, XV Corps Artillery 1st Armored Division(4) Headquarters Detachment, Combat Command A(5) Headquarters Detachment, Combat Command B(6) 1st Armor (1st Battalion M-3 light tanks) 13th Armor (1st Battalion M-3 light tanks) 6th Armored Infantry 16th Armored Engineer Battalion 81st Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 141st Armored Signal Company Headquarters, 1st Armored Division Artillery Command(7) 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (105mm self-propelled) 68th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (105mm self-propelled) 91st Armored Field Artillery Battalion (105mm self-propelled) [*]Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Division [*]Service Company, 1st Armored Division(8) [*]1st Armored Division Trains Headquarters Detachment, 1st Armored Division Trains Supply Battalion, 1st Armored Division(9) Maintenance Battalion, 1st Armored Division 47th Armored Medical Battalion 2d Infantry Division(10) 9th Infantry 23d Infantry 38th Infantry 2d Infantry Division Artillery Headquarters Battery, 2d Infantry Division Artillery 12th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm) 15th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 37th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 38th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) [*]2d Engineer Battalion [*]2d Medical Battalion [*]2d Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized [*]Headquarters, Special Troops, 2d Infantry Division 2d Quartermaster Company 2d Signal Company 702d Ordnance Light Maintenance Company Headquarters Company, 2d Infantry Division Military Police Platoon, 2d Infantry Division 2d Infantry Division Band 5th Infantry Division 2d Infantry 10th Infantry 11th Infantry 5th Infantry Division Artillery Headquarters Battery, 5th Infantry Division Artillery 19th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 21st Field Artillery Battalion (155mm) 46th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 50th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) [*]5th Medical Battalion [*]7th Engineer Combat Battalion [*]5th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized (M-48 scout car) [*]Headquarters, Special Troops, 5th Infantry Division 5th Quartermaster Company 5th Signal Company 705th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company Headquarters Company, 5th Infantry Division Military Police Platoon, 5th Infantry Division 5th Infantry Division Band 8th Infantry Division 13th Infantry 28th Infantry 121st Infantry [Georgia National Guard] 8th Infantry Division Artillery Headquarters Battery, 8th Infantry Division Artillery 28th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm) 43d Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 45th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 56th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) [*]8th Medical Battalion [*]12th Engineer Combat Battalion [*]8th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized [*]Headquarters, Special Troops, 8th Infantry Division 8th Quartermaster Company 8th Signal Company 708th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company Headquarters Company, 8th Infantry Division Military Police Platoon, 8th Infantry Division 8th Infantry Division Band 34th Infantry Division(11) [Iowa National Guard] 133d Infantry [Iowa National Guard] 135th Infantry [Minnesota National Guard] 168th Infantry [Iowa National Guard] 34th Infantry Division Artillery Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division Artillery [Minnesota National Guard] Band, 34th Infantry Division Artillery [Minnesota National Guard] 125th Field Artillery Battalion [Minnesota National Guard] 151st Field Artillery Battalion [Minnesota National Guard] 175th Field Artillery Battalion [Minnesota National Guard] 185th Field Artillery Battalion [Iowa National Guard] [*]109th Engineer Battalion (Combat) [South Dakota National Guard] [*]109th Medical Battalion [Iowa National Guard] [*]109th Quartermaster Battalion [Minnesota and South Dakota National Guards] [*]34th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop [Iowa and Minnesota National Guards] [*]34th Signal Company [South Dakota National Guard] [*]Headquarters Company and Military Police Platoon, 34th Infantry Division [Iowa National Guard less Military Police Platoon which is Minnesota National Guard] 82d Airborne Division(12) 325th Glider Infantry 505th Parachute Infantry 82d Airborne Division Artillery 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm pack) 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm pack) 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (75mm pack) 456th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (75mm pack) 82d Airborne Division Artillery Band [*]80th Airborne Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion [*]307th Airborne Engineer Battalion [*]307th Airborne Medical Company [*]Headquarters, Special Troops, 82d Airborne Division 82d Airborne Signal Company 407th Airborne Quartermaster Company 782d Airborne Ordnance Company Headquarters Company, 82d Airborne Division Military Police Platoon, 82d Airborne Division Non-Divisional Units Infantry 507th Parachute Infantry 508th Parachute Infantry 3d Battalion (less Companies I and K), 156 Infantry 1st Ranger Battalion(13) Armor, Tank Destroyer or Cavalry 6th Cavalry(14) 6th Cavalry Band Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Cavalry Group, Mechanized 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized(15) 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized(16) 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion (XV Corps) 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Light) (Self-Propelled) (XV Corps) 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion (XV Corps) Field Artillery 3d Field Artillery Observation Battalion (XV Corps) Coast or Antiaircraft Artillery 209th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) (V Corps) [New York National Guard](17) 103d Coast Artillery Battalion (Separate) (Antiaircraft) (37mm) (V Corps) [Kentucky National Guard] 106th Coast Artillery Battalion (Antiaircraft) (Automatic Weapons) (V Corps) [Kentucky National Guard] 376th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Mobile)(18) 405th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Semi-mobile)(19) Corps of Engineers 112th Engineers (Combat) (V Corps)(20) 591st Engineer Boat Regiment 107th Engineer Battalion (Combat) [Michigan National Guard] 112th Engineer Battalion (Combat) [Ohio National Guard](21) 397th Engineer Depot Company (V Corps) 427th Engineer Dump Truck Company 457th Engineer Depot Company 467th Engineer Maintenance Company (V Corps)(22) 518th Engineer Company(23) 666th Engineer Topographic Company (XV Corps) 1593d Engineer Utilities Detachment(24) Engineer Depot E-510 Military Police Corps 713th Military Police Battalion (Zone of Interior) Advance Detachment, 780th Military Police Battalion (Zone of Interior) (Colored) 205th Military Police Company 234th Military Police Company 252d Military Police Company (Aviation) (Post, Camp or Station)(25) 285th Military Police Company (Post, Camp or Station) 895th Military Police Company (Aviation) 897th Military Police Company (Aviation) 12th Military Police Criminal Investigation Section Signal Corps 56th Signal Battalion 63d Signal Battalion 92d Signal Battalion Detachment B, 810th Signal Service Battalion Installation Platoon 1, Company C, 850th Signal ServiceBattalion Operation Platoon, 122d Signal Radio Intelligence Company Section, 1st Platoon, 161st Signal Photographic Company(26) Detachment E, 162d Signal Photographic Company 166th Signal Photographic Company 187th Signal Repair Company 203d Signal Depot Company (V Corps) 401st Signal Company, Aviation(27) 818th Signal Port Service Company Detachment B, 827th Signal Depot Company (V Corps) 839th Signal Service Company 576th Signal Construction Operation Platoon Detachment, 106th Signal Inspection and Maintenance Team Chemical Corps Chemical Depot C-910(28) 16th Chemical Maintenance Company 115th Chemical Processing Company 229th Chemical Base Depot Company Medical Corps Detachment, 2d General Hospital(29) 2d Evacuation Hospital (V Corps) 5th General Hospital(30) 7th Field Hospital (135-bed) 28th Station Hospital (250-bed) 32d Evacuation Hospital (Semi-mobile) 36th Station Hospital (250-bed) 68th Station Hospital (250-bed) 79th General Hospital (1,000-bed) 160th Station Hospital (250-bed) (V Corps) 44th Hospital Train Detachment, 4th Medical Supply Depot Section, 8th Medical Supply Depot 11th Medical Supply Depot (less Base Platoon) 53d Medical Battalion (V Corps) HHD, 436th Medical Battalion 436th Medical Collecting Company (XV Corps) 861st Medical Service Detachment 6814th Medical Dispensary Section (10-bed) Ordnance Corps Ordnance Depot O-601 Ordnance Depot O-602 Ordnance Depot O-621 Ordnance Depot O-688 Company E, 53d Ordnance Regiment(31) Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 22d Ordnance Battalion Company E, 53d Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Battalion(32) Elements, 71st Ordnance Battalion (Light Maintenance)(33) Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 254th OrdnanceBattalion 14th Ordnance Company (Medium Maintenance) (V Corps) 47th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company 53d Ordnance Company (Ammunition) 79th Ordnance Company (Depot) 109th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company (V Corps) [Minnesota National Guard] 158th Ordnance Tire Repair Company 314th Ordnance Depot Company(34) 346th Ordnance Depot Company 518th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company 522d Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company 552d Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company 883d Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company 994th Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company 3422d Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company(35) 3423d Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company(36) 3424th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company(37) 3440th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company 39th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad 40th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad 67th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad Quartermaster Corps Quartermaster Depot Q-111(38) Quartermaster Depot Q-161(39) 28th Quartermaster Regiment (Colored) (less 1st Battalion) Company E, 53d Quartermaster Regiment(40) Company K, 467th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(41) Company I, 467th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(42) Company L, 467th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(43) Company B, 513th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(44) Company I, 513th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(45) Company L, 519th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(46) Company M, 519th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(47) Company K, 520th Quartermaster Truck Regiment(48) Company A, 60th Quartermaster Battalion 1st Section, 1st Platoon, Company A, 63d QuartermasterBattalion (Laundry) Elements, 71st Quartermaster Battalion (LightMaintenance) (V Corps)(49) Headqharters and Headquarters Detachment Company A, 71st Quartermaster Battalion Company B, 71st Quartermaster Battalion(50) Company C, 71st Quartermaster Battalion(51) Company D, 71st Quartermaster Battalion(52) 1st Platoon, Company D, 94th Quartermaster Battalion (Bakery) Detachment, Service Company, 109th Quartermaster Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 152d Quartermaster Battalion (Mobile)(53) Company A, 205th Quartermaster Battalion (Gas Supply)(54) Company D, 214th Quartermaster Gas Supply Battalion(55) Company A, 301st Quartermaster Battalion (V Corps) Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 307th Quartermaster Sterilization Battalion Company A, 307th Quartermaster Sterilization Battalion(56) Company B, 307th Quartermaster Sterilization Battalion(57) Company C, 307th Quartermaster Sterilization Battalion(58) Company D, 307th Quartermaster Sterilization Battalion(59) 361st Quartermaster Battalion [1st Engineer Special Brigade] Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 544th Quartermaster Service Battalion (Colored) Company A, 544th Quartermaster Service Battalion (Colored)(60) Company B, 544th Quartermaster Service Battalion (Colored)(61) Company C, 544th Quartermaster Service Battalion (Colored)(62) Company D, 544th Quartermaster Service Battalion (Colored)(63) Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 563d Quartermaster Battalion (Colored) (XV Corps) Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 579th Quartermaster Battalion 136th Quartermaster Truck Company [Nebraska National Guard] 194th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company 246th Quartermaster Depot Company (Supply) (V Corps) 268th Quartermaster Bakery Company 294th Quartermaster Salvage Repair Company (Semi-mobile)(64) 302d Quartermaster Railhead Company (Colored) 313th Quartermaster Motor Transport Company 314th Quartermaster Motor Transport Company 552d Quartermaster Railhead Company 553d Quartermaster Railhead Company 608th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company 700th Quartermaster Depot Company 2001st Quartermaster Supply Company (Provisional) 3012th Quartermaster Bakery Company (Mobile) (Special) 3019th Quartermaster Bakery Company (Mobile) (Special) 3028th Quartermaster Bakery Company 3630th Quartermaster Truck Company (Heavy) 3631st Quartermaster Truck Company (Heavy) 3882d Quartermaster Truck Company (Heavy) 3889th Quartermaster Truck Company (Heavy) 3940th Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company 3991st Quartermaster Truck Company (Colored) 3992d Quartermaster Truck Company (Heavy) (Colored) 4010th Quartermaster Truck Company (Colored) 4049th Quartermaster Truck Company (Colored) 4050th Quartermaster Truck Company (Colored) 4190th Quartermaster Service Company (Colored) 4191st Quartermaster Service Company (Colored) 4192d Quartermaster Service Company (Colored) 4193d Quartermaster Service Company 4234th Quartermaster Sterilization Company 4235th Quartermaster Sterilization Company 4236th Quartermaster Sterilization Company 4237th Quartermaster Sterilization Company Headquarters, 4556th Quartermaster Service Company Headquarters, 4557th Quartermaster Service Company Headquarters, 4558th Quartermaster Service Company Detachment, 22d Quartermaster Company 2d Platoon, 506th Quartermaster Car Company Transportation Corps Northern Ireland Ports Headquarters, Port Transportation Corps 291(65) 7th Port Headquarters and Headquarters Company Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 500th Port Battalion(66) 262d Port Company (Colored) 263d Port Company (Colored) 264th Port Company (Colored) 265th Port Company (Colored) 273d Port Company (Colored) Other Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Replacement Depot Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Replacement Depot Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 39th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 47th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 65th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 66th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 67th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 68th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 69th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 84th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 87th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 88th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 89th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 90th Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 92d Replacement Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 93d Replacement Battalion 6817th Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Replacement Battalion (Provisional) (Field Force Replacement Depot No. 8) 19th Special Services Company 179th Replacement Company (39th Replacement Battalion) 180th Replacement Company (39th Replacement Battalion) 181st Replacement Company (39th Replacement Battalion) 194th Replacement Company (47th Replacement Battalion) 195th Replacement Company (47th Replacement Battalion) 196th Replacement Company (47th Replacement Battalion) 212th Replacement Company (65th Replacement Battalion) 213th Replacement Company (65th Replacement Battalion) 214th Replacement Company (65th Replacement Battalion) 215th Replacement Company (66th Replacement Battalion) 216th Replacement Company (66th Replacement Battalion) 217th Replacement Company (66th Replacement Battalion) 218th Replacement Company (67th Replacement Battalion) 219th Replacement Company (67th Replacement Battalion) 220th Replacement Company (67th Replacement Battalion) 221st Replacement Company (68th Replacement Battalion) 222d Replacement Company (68th Replacement Battalion) 223d Replacement Company (68th Replacement Battalion) 224th Replacement Company (69th Replacement Battalion) 225th Replacement Company (69th Replacement Battalion) 229th Replacement Company 230th Replacement Company (71st Replacement Battalion) 231st Replacement Company (71st Replacement Battalion) 232d Replacement Company (71st Replacement Battalion) 233d Replacement Company (72d Replacement Battalion) 234th Replacement Company (72d Replacement Battalion) 235th Replacement Company (72d Replacement Battalion) 336th Replacement Company 337th Replacement Company 338th Replacement Company 339th Replacement Company 340th Replacement Company 341st Replacement Company 342d Replacement Company 343d Replacement Company 344th Replacement Company 345th Replacement Company 346th Replacement Company 347th Replacement Company 348th Replacement Company 349th Replacement Company 350th Replacement Company 351st Replacement Company 352d Replacement Company 476th Replacement Company (90th Replacement Battalion) 477th Replacement Company (90th Replacement Battalion) 478th Replacement Company (90th Replacement Battalion) 479th Replacement Company 480th Replacement Company (69th Replacement Battalion) 481st Replacement Company 482d Replacement Company 483d Replacement Company 484th Replacement Company 485th Replacement Company 486th Replacement Company 487th Replacement Company 488th Replacement Company 489th Replacement Company 6843d Replacement Company (Provisional) (Field Force Replacement Depot No. 8) 6844th Replacement Company (Provisional) (Field Force Replacement Depot No. 8) 6845th Replacement Company (Provisional) (Field Force Replacement Depot No. 8) 6846th Replacement Company (Provisional) (Field Force Replacement Depot No. 8) 6847th Replacement Company (Provisional) (Field Force Replacement Depot No. 8) 2d Postal Regulating Section 13th Postal Regulating Section 54th Finance Disbursing Section 55th Finance Disbursing Section 135th Finance Disbursing Section 128th Army Postal Unit 129th Army Postal Unit 131st Army Postal Unit 132d Army Postal Unit 133d Army Postal Unit 139th Army Postal Unit 146th Army Postal Unit 147th Army Postal Unit 153d Army Postal Unit 577th Army Postal Unit 636th Army Postal Unit 813th Army Postal Unit Base Censor Office No. 1 277th Army Band [National Guard] Disciplinary Training Center No. 1 Disciplinary Training Center No. 5 Disciplinary Training Center No. Field Force Replacement Depot No. 5(67) Field Force Replacement System Depot No. 6(68) Field Force Replacement System Depot No. 8(69) Replacement Depot No. 1 General Depot, G-10(70) Replacement Company E (Guard) Lisnabreeny Cemetery ARMY AIR FORCE (Primarily Eighth Air Force) VIII Air Force Composite Command Postal Section, VIII Air Force Composite Command 38th Signal Company (Service Group)(71) Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 2d CCRC Group(72) 2d Replacement and Training Squadron(73) Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 3d CCRC Group 3d Replacement and Training Squadron(74) Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 4th CCRC Group 4th Replacement and Training Squadron Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 7th Air Depot Group Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 39th Service Group Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 42d Air Depot Group 42d Depot Repair Squadron 42d Depot Support Squadron Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 325th Air Service Group Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 328th Air Service Group Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 403d Base Air Depot 5th Airdrome Squadron 34th Station Complement Squadron 35th Station Complement Squadron 37th Station Complement Squadron 47th Station Complement Squadron 65th Airdrome Squadron 81st Station Complement Squadron 86th Depot Repair Squadron 311th Ferrying Squadron(75) 312th Ferrying Squadron(76) 321st Transport Squadron 325th Ferrying Squadron 343d Air Service Squadron 375th Service Squadron 465th Service Squadron 556th Service Squadron 38th Signal Company, Service Group(77) 407th Quartermaster Company, Air Depot Group 694th Ordnance Company (Medium Maintenance), Aviation 759th Quartermaster Truck Company (Colored) 769th Ordnance Company (Aviation) (Air Depot) 984th Military Police Company, Aviation 1038th Signal Company, Service Group(78) 1056th Quartermaster Company, Service Group 1110th Signal Company, Service Group 1145th Military Police Company, Aviation 1195th Military Police Company, Aviation 1253d Military Police Company, Aviation 1261st Military Police Company, Aviation 1262d Military Police Company, Aviation 1385th Military Police Company, Aviation(79) 1694th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company, Aviation 1730th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company, Aviation 1802d Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company, Aviation 1947th Quartermaster Truck Company, Aviation (Colored) 2211th Quartermaster Truck Company, Aviation 442d Quartermaster Platoon, Air Depot Group 2069th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon, Aviation 2107th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon, Aviation 4th Gunnery and Tow Target Flight 4th Army Air Force Combat Camera Unit 1404th Army Air Force Base Unit(80) 401st Provisional Station Gas Defense Detachment Mobile Training Unit No. 37 (B-24) (Provisional) Mobile Training Unit No. 38 (B-24) (Provisional) Station No. 2, European Wing Air Transport Command(81) Station Complement Squadron, Air Base Depot No. 3(82) Station Complement Squadron (Special), Army Air Force Station 597 At its height, in 1943 - there where 120,000 US Troops situated in Northern Ireland.
There was also a violent incident at Kingsclere in 1944. This is a comprehensive write up: http://www.kingsclere.org.uk/pdf/murders.pdf I have heard of incidents in Devon, including the body of serviceman being fished out of the sea with fatal stab wounds (I am trying to recall the source - may be Gerald Wasley's Devon At War). After the Battle magazine had a detailed article on executions at Shepton Mallet prison - most of whom seemed to be African American troops. I also recall hearing a story about a white American soldier who got a heavy beating from a Maori serviceman in a pub after he directed a couple of unfriendly comments in his direction - can't say where that was though!
On the BBC Peoples War website are references to the American Forces stationed near Leominster, Herefordshire. Fights broke out between white and coloured troops so it was decided white troops would have access to the town on different days to the coloured troops. Must have been the most exciting thing to have happened in Leominster.
Further to the above, I believe that coloureds were not entirely restricted to Service Battalions. In the book “Wild Blue” Ambrose refers to a coloured fighter unit with exceptional skills when deployed during the protection of Liberators bombers. Also, I seem to recall that during the Battle of the Bulge a coloured tanks regiment was deployed, at very short notice, in order to plug the gap. The regiment had been in training but, until that point, there was no intention to use them in battle. I hope this helps. Also, the executions in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, prison (some 20 I believe) were undertaken by Albert Pierpoint – one of the official British executioners. See his autobiography for further, but brief, details. By the way, what a great picture of black GI’s above. If only pictures could talk, we could hear the men’s own account of their treatment & experience of the War and the US Army. Regards Jez.
hi gtwomey i have just come across your thread,i am doing the same research as you at ruskin college in oxford for a 10 week term.there is a book called rich relations by david reynolds,which does have some original research in it,also juliete gardiner does do snippets of original stuff as well afro- americans in world war two by wynn does also touch on the subject bu as you ay the only book ever written is by the briliant graham smith
BL, thank you very much for your curiosity tickling post, but it appears Gtwomey has been here one year ago last time...
Thanks for the info on this thread. My grandfather was a black soldier who was a member of a QM truck Company stationed in N. Ireland before heading over to England for D-Day preparations. (He was in Kingham, Oxfordshire before D-Day) My question is, for those who might be knowledgeable, his unit was the 3419th QM Truck Co (TC) when he was in France...could his unit designation have been different while he was in N. Ireland, and subsequently changed when he went to England before Embarkation to the continent? My mom and I are trying to put puzzle pieces together to get a clearer picture of his service; where he was at certain times, whether his unit designation changed at any time, etc. He had a knack for giving us tidbits of information, but otherwise keeping us in the dark. After he passed away in 2008, we found out a lot about his post-war service in the State Dept. that no one could've ever imagined! (And we still don't know 95% of that!) Any help would be appreciated. (he's the one standing)
Hello and welcome to the forum. Unfortuantely I can't help but that is a great picture..Which one of those handsome chaps is your grandfather? Regards Andy
Took me some time to understand, what the meaning of an "African American" could be. I am quite sure that this "title" was invented by somebody close to 'Ku Klux Clan' to express that those Americans with dark skin are different to the "real" Americans. My advise: Be careful with such expressions.