Graham Cross
@grahamcross.bsky.social
Historian of American and Anglo-American diplomacy and war at MMU. Lifelong obsession with the 8th Air Force, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Suffolk. Views my own.
Looks like the hot water tank for an ablutions hut to me. The block has been demolished just leaving the boiler tower. Similar to WWII airfield buildings...
June 5, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Looks like the hot water tank for an ablutions hut to me. The block has been demolished just leaving the boiler tower. Similar to WWII airfield buildings...
On a happier note, proof of fan status...
March 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
On a happier note, proof of fan status...
The St. Peter's Hall Club was run by Peter S. Ridley from May 1943 until summer 1945. Martha Stafford was 'Program Assistant' and Marie Wall as Personnel Services Director from July 1943 until heading to the ARC Club in Colchester.
March 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The St. Peter's Hall Club was run by Peter S. Ridley from May 1943 until summer 1945. Martha Stafford was 'Program Assistant' and Marie Wall as Personnel Services Director from July 1943 until heading to the ARC Club in Colchester.
The African American Red Cross Club in Ipswich was in St. Peter's Hall with many of the nearby pubs designated 'Black Only' by white Military Police. The bulk of central Ipswich pubs were white only.
March 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The African American Red Cross Club in Ipswich was in St. Peter's Hall with many of the nearby pubs designated 'Black Only' by white Military Police. The bulk of central Ipswich pubs were white only.
Officially, the American Red Cross Service Clubs in towns were open to all American service personnel. In reality, they were segregated (the attached 1943 ARC statement contains 1940s language).
March 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Officially, the American Red Cross Service Clubs in towns were open to all American service personnel. In reality, they were segregated (the attached 1943 ARC statement contains 1940s language).
A little local history. Ipswich was surrounded by American military stations during the Second World War. Some of the troops were African American who faced segregation both in their camps and when they visited local towns including Ipswich. #Ipswich #8thAirForce #923rdEngineerAviationRegiment
March 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A little local history. Ipswich was surrounded by American military stations during the Second World War. Some of the troops were African American who faced segregation both in their camps and when they visited local towns including Ipswich. #Ipswich #8thAirForce #923rdEngineerAviationRegiment
As auxiliaries, the WAAC were technically civilians and the leadrship were not US Army officers until it became the WAC in 1943. Note Charity Adams of the 6888th is in the first class.
March 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
As auxiliaries, the WAAC were technically civilians and the leadrship were not US Army officers until it became the WAC in 1943. Note Charity Adams of the 6888th is in the first class.
Don't think he does - though he does have six pages on 'dealing with the French'. Index on the Italian Campaign below
January 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Don't think he does - though he does have six pages on 'dealing with the French'. Index on the Italian Campaign below
They did sometimes did regions/counties too - this one probably up your street?
January 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
They did sometimes did regions/counties too - this one probably up your street?
Years ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on about 70 of these British Council guides produced for American GIs on a pass. A great window on many British towns in wartime #Ipswich #BuryStEdmunds #Cambridge #Norwich #Colchester
January 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Years ago, I was lucky enough to get my hands on about 70 of these British Council guides produced for American GIs on a pass. A great window on many British towns in wartime #Ipswich #BuryStEdmunds #Cambridge #Norwich #Colchester
Looks like it was 84th FS, but none of those listed as claiming appear to have been transferred - except Irvin.
January 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Looks like it was 84th FS, but none of those listed as claiming appear to have been transferred - except Irvin.
Here is Gary Fry 'Eagles of Duxford' (1991)
January 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Here is Gary Fry 'Eagles of Duxford' (1991)
Have checked the Miller book and there is no mention of any victories that day. I think this incident was 78th Fighter Group and I'm sure I have some correspondence somewhere stating the two pilots involved were sent home. Will keep digging.
January 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Have checked the Miller book and there is no mention of any victories that day. I think this incident was 78th Fighter Group and I'm sure I have some correspondence somewhere stating the two pilots involved were sent home. Will keep digging.
This included Walter White, Head of the NAACP, who wrote:
"The sequence dealing with the racial situation in which General Lee and Burgess Meredith are featured is excellent. Indoctrination of this sort against ignorance and prejudice cannot help but be effective."
"The sequence dealing with the racial situation in which General Lee and Burgess Meredith are featured is excellent. Indoctrination of this sort against ignorance and prejudice cannot help but be effective."
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
This included Walter White, Head of the NAACP, who wrote:
"The sequence dealing with the racial situation in which General Lee and Burgess Meredith are featured is excellent. Indoctrination of this sort against ignorance and prejudice cannot help but be effective."
"The sequence dealing with the racial situation in which General Lee and Burgess Meredith are featured is excellent. Indoctrination of this sort against ignorance and prejudice cannot help but be effective."
The scene closes with Meredith and the unnamed Black soldier sharing cigarettes to underline the point on life in Britain and perhaps to suggest a pragmatic way forward.
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
The scene closes with Meredith and the unnamed Black soldier sharing cigarettes to underline the point on life in Britain and perhaps to suggest a pragmatic way forward.
Lee hosted many distinguished visitors on the train. The Secretary of War and theatre commanders Eisenhower and Devers all travelled with him. The first Black general officer Benjamin O. Davis Sr. also travelled on the train and was pleased that Lee had "allowed him to use his shower."
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Lee hosted many distinguished visitors on the train. The Secretary of War and theatre commanders Eisenhower and Devers all travelled with him. The first Black general officer Benjamin O. Davis Sr. also travelled on the train and was pleased that Lee had "allowed him to use his shower."
Next, the film moves to a monologue by Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee, head of the Service of Supply and the organisation containing most of the African American troops who were largely prevented from serving in combat organisations.
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Next, the film moves to a monologue by Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee, head of the Service of Supply and the organisation containing most of the African American troops who were largely prevented from serving in combat organisations.
Sadly, we don't know who the African American soldier from Birmingham, Alabama was as he goes uncredited. His uniform does tell us he was an engineer - perhaps from the #923rdEngineerAviationRegiment
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Sadly, we don't know who the African American soldier from Birmingham, Alabama was as he goes uncredited. His uniform does tell us he was an engineer - perhaps from the #923rdEngineerAviationRegiment
The film pulls its punches in the scene. The lady inviting the African American soldier to "her" Birmingham is elderly. Southern white troops were enraged by Black soldiers dating white British girls. To present the audience with a younger female offering the invitation risked inflaming prejudices.
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
The film pulls its punches in the scene. The lady inviting the African American soldier to "her" Birmingham is elderly. Southern white troops were enraged by Black soldiers dating white British girls. To present the audience with a younger female offering the invitation risked inflaming prejudices.
The film therefore could hardly avoid the issue of race and confronts it directly in a scene set in a train station. Meredith exits a train compartment he has shared with a British lady and an African American soldier. The significance would be instantly recognisable to any American soldier.
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
The film therefore could hardly avoid the issue of race and confronts it directly in a scene set in a train station. Meredith exits a train compartment he has shared with a British lady and an African American soldier. The significance would be instantly recognisable to any American soldier.
The film stars Burgess Meredith who also did some of the writing with Hollywood writer Sam Spewack. I managed to find an unattributed commentary from Meredith from 1944 - sadly he doesn't discuss the racial issues covered by the film.
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
The film stars Burgess Meredith who also did some of the writing with Hollywood writer Sam Spewack. I managed to find an unattributed commentary from Meredith from 1944 - sadly he doesn't discuss the racial issues covered by the film.
A thread 🧵on the wartime film "A Welcome to Britain" produced to mitigate some of the tensions in Anglo-American relations. My interest focuses on the section dealing with race and U.S. forces in Britain at the 25.15-29.15 minute point. Four minutes to cover a big subject #FriendlyInvasion #WW2
November 23, 2024 at 3:03 PM
A thread 🧵on the wartime film "A Welcome to Britain" produced to mitigate some of the tensions in Anglo-American relations. My interest focuses on the section dealing with race and U.S. forces in Britain at the 25.15-29.15 minute point. Four minutes to cover a big subject #FriendlyInvasion #WW2
Finally, the 406th Fighter Group did not produce a history, but the 512th and 514th FS did (not the 513th though). Their Service Unit, the 390th Service Squadron, also produced a history.
November 13, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Finally, the 406th Fighter Group did not produce a history, but the 512th and 514th FS did (not the 513th though). Their Service Unit, the 390th Service Squadron, also produced a history.
The 404th Fighter Group produced a huge encyclopedia of their activities and personnel.
November 13, 2024 at 5:43 PM
The 404th Fighter Group produced a huge encyclopedia of their activities and personnel.
Next is the 371st Fighter Group. A beautifully produced book with some wonderful artwork.
November 13, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Next is the 371st Fighter Group. A beautifully produced book with some wonderful artwork.