USAAF in Suffolk
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The East of England, particularly Suffolk, became a new home for thousands of American airmen during the Second World War. After starting to arrive in 1942, there were over 10,000 in the country by 1943. The largest concentration was in Suffolk, which had more USA airfields than any other English county. Their arrival was called the 'Friendly Invasion' as they suddenly found themselves in the middle of the East Anglian countryside. The Americans brought with them chewing gum, coke and peanut butter, and introduced the big band sounds and jitterbugging dancing. In return the British taught the GI's the gentle art of darts and dominos, when the newcomers ventured into the sacred English public houses. This book examines the meeting of two cultures, while stories are related of the aircraft victories and losses, plus accidents which sometimes shook the countryside. Missions by the bombers and fighters of the USAAF are included to show what desperate times these were for airmen and country folk of Suffolk.
Peter W. Bodle FRAeS has so far had almost twenty biographies and aviation history published. Bodle was a light aircraft pilot for almost twenty-five years and is married with four children and an ever growing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.Roy Brazier is a history and sports writer with an excellent track record, with books on Tottenham Hotspur, plus speedway publications. The history of his own town and other related books followed. A native of Essex, now residing in Suffolk, and recently awarded the Freedom of Haverhill for his contributions to Sport and History in the town. Chairman and Trustee of the Haverhill Local History Group and editor of the Haverhill Historian, with over twenty books to his name. He has contributed articles for the Essex Countryside and This England magazine