US Military in WW2 Bristol

When Americans came to Bristol to help defend democracy

Bristol Now

The U.S Armed Forces were found all over Bristol and in some places their mark can still be seen

The Holmes, Stoke Park - General Omar Bradley's official residence when based in Bristol with US First Army
The Holmes, Stoke Park – General Omar Bradley’s official residence when based in Bristol
Clifton College - Headquarters of V Corps, First US Army (for D-Day planning) and then Ninth US Army
Clifton College – Headquarters of V Corps, First Army (for D-Day planning) and then Ninth Army
The Colston Arms, St Michael's Hill - significant as one of the few pubs to refuse to enforce segregation between black and white G.I.s
The Colston Arms (now Open Arms), St Michael’s Hill – significant as one of the few pubs to refuse to enforce segregation between black and white G.I.s
Control Tower at Charmy Down Airfield
Control Tower
Airstrip at Charmy Down Airfield
Airstrip
Charmy Down Airfield, north of Bath. Home of 4th Tactical Air Depot (1943) and 422d, 423d and 425th Night Fighter Squadrons (1944) of the USAAF.
The Vassall Centre. Fishponds - Build by the US Army for accommodation, administration or as a hospital
The Vassall Centre. Fishponds – Build by the US Army for accommodation, administration or as a hospital (TBC)
Location of Beggar Bush Lane Airstrip as used by the US Military
Clifton College Sports Ground – site of an airstrip frequently used by First Army when planning D-Day
Probable entrance to the Beggar Bush Lane airfield as used by the US Military
Probable entrance to the airfield
Conveniently situated only a few minutes from First Army HQ at Clifton College, this site off Beggar Bush Lane was used as an airstrip for ferrying important documentation.
Entrance to US Army Vehicle Compound opposite Bristol Zoo car park
Entrance to compound opposite Bristol Zoo car park
Rough layout of US Army Vehicle Compound on the Downs
A compound for servicing 149 U.S. Army vehicles was located on the Downs. Six canvas hangars was situated in this area.
US Army Red Cross Club at Lyndale Hotel on Berkeley Square
Lyndale Hotel on Berkeley Square
US Military Red Cross Club at Royal West of England Academy on the Triangle, Bristol
Royal West of England Academy on the Triangle
Due to segregation between troops the Lyndale Hotel was designated the Red Cross Club for white G.I.s. They soon outgrew it and moved into the Royal West of England Academy
Great George Street, Brandon Hill – the Red Cross Club for black G.I.s
Memorial to Colonel Henry Washington which was used on Independence Day by the US Army
Memorial to Colonel Henry Washington
Location of the Washington Memorial outside Bristol Museum
Location of the Washington Memorial
Park Place where a military band would play for US Military Independence Day celebrations
Park Place where a military band would play
Independence Day celebrations in Bristol took place at the Washington Memorial outside Bristol Museum with a ceremony in Park Place on the other side of the Triangle
The Old Drill Hall, Old Market - Home to black G.I.s and the site of a demonstration bout for heavyweight boxing champ, Joe Louis
The Old Drill Hall, Old Market – Home to black G.I.s and the site of a demonstration bout for heavyweight boxing champ, Joe Louis
Location of US Army Armoured Fighting Vehicle servicing compound on Sea Walls, Durdham Down
Location of Armoured Fighting Vehicle servicing compound on Sea Walls, Durdham Down
Location of structures for the US Military AFV servicing compound at Sea Walls
Location of structures for the AFV servicing compound at Sea Walls
The Victoria Rooms - the scene of many social events for U.S. Armed Services
The Victoria Rooms – the scene of many social events for U.S. Armed Services
Sign found in a house on Wells Road, Knowle – evidence that it was a wartime billet for American troops.
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