(AMERICAN TROOPS IN ENGLAND 1917)
When I was researching the history of the land my house is built on I opened up so much information. During WW1 the land was used for a temporary Army Camp. Many new soldiers were from Wales – 20 miles away – who spoke no English !
But on the 8th June 1917 Capt. (later General) Patton arrived here in the Port of Liverpool England on his way to France. He took a train to Litherland Railway Station and stayed here in my garden until he left to catch a Train from Liverpool to London. I often find buttons and bits of British Army stuff when digging – but no Americana yet !
So I read the life story of George Patton and what an incredible tale. Read it if you get the chance.
Fascinating indeed Paul !
Do the School kids get taught that since 1776 – that America and the Brits have joined forces in 20 other wars ?
In WW2 over a million young American soldiers arrived in Liverpool and took over the pubs and dance halls ! The local young men had already left to go to war.
The American troops acquired a local saying:
“Over paid – over sexed and over here !”
Yet another reminder that history doesn’t happen only in black-and-white in a distant past!
When I was a history teacher, one of the favorite lessons each year discussed the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn, one of the largest-scale engagements of armies up to that time. I used a handout map of the battle areas and the routes of the British and American armies across the borough, and the class plotted their homes along the map. We were then able to describe how the main British force went up King’s Highway, swung left at the big McDonald’s and outflanked American troops who were forced to flee the Brooklyn Museum, ending up camped overnight at the Macy’s department store on Fulton Street.
Long history of alliance is discussed, but don’t think I’ve ever heard that count before. I used to point out that the Monroe Doctrine was based on an almost unintended alliance. In the wake of Spain’s loss of American colonies, Pres. Monroe wanted to warn other European powers, France especially, from attempting to take them over, but lacked the military power to stop any attempts. And, only a short time after the 1812 war, there was still a lot of anti-British sentiment. But Monroe was smart enough to recognize that since Britain also wanted South America open to its trade, the Royal Navy would enforce Monroe’s ban on re-colonization…no treaty needed!
I’ve studied the Monroe Doctrine and how it was used to stop European influence in the Americas.
Does make some fascinating reading.
List of over 100 wars and conflicts involving the US : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L…ng_the_United_States
Thanks.