coxyhog Posted June 26, 2024 Posted June 26, 2024 As Brit this makes me proud.... On this day in 1943 was the ‘Battle of Bamber Bridge’, a mutiny within the US Army which took place in the small English village of Bamber Bridge, Lancashire. In the 1940s US troops were still segregated into black and white under the 'Jim Crow' laws, and there were several incidents of racial tension and confrontations around the army bases in Britain. Britain was overall a more tolerant society where troops were not segregated, and so black and white American troops were welcomed as equals by the local people. On 24th June 1943, white Military Police (MPs) attempted to arrest several African American soldiers from the racially segregated 1511th Quartermaster Truck Regiment who were drinking with locals at the Ye Old Hob Inn, in Bamber Bridge. A white British soldier challenged the military police: “Why do you want to arrest them? They’re not doing anything or bothering anybody.” After the arrival of more military police armed with machine guns, black soldiers armed themselves with rifles from their base armoury. Both sides exchanged fire through the night. One black soldier, Private William Crossland, was killed and several MPs and soldiers injured. Although a court martial convicted 32 African American soldiers of mutiny and related crimes, poor leadership and racist attitudes among the MPs was blamed as the cause. The people of Bamber Bridge did not share the US Army’s segregationist attitudes. According to the author Anthony Burgess, who spent time in Bamber Bridge during the war, when US military authorities demanded that the town’s pubs impose a colour bar, the landlords responded with signs that read: “Black Troops Only”. EDIT: Subsequent information about this photo has come to light since posting and it turns out this photo was not taken at the incident in Bamber Bridge (despite several newspaper websites stating it as fact) but was taken following a similar incident in Devon, also in 1943. The soldiers pictured were being courtmarshalled in Paignton, Devon. This should not detract from the true story written above and the heroism of the people of Bamber Bridge. Apologies for the error. 1 1 1
Glasseye Posted June 29, 2024 Author Posted June 29, 2024 On 6/27/2024 at 2:20 AM, coxyhog said: As Brit this makes me proud.... On this day in 1943 was the ‘Battle of Bamber Bridge’, a mutiny within the US Army which took place in the small English village of Bamber Bridge, Lancashire. In the 1940s US troops were still segregated into black and white under the 'Jim Crow' laws, and there were several incidents of racial tension and confrontations around the army bases in Britain. Britain was overall a more tolerant society where troops were not segregated, and so black and white American troops were welcomed as equals by the local people. On 24th June 1943, white Military Police (MPs) attempted to arrest several African American soldiers from the racially segregated 1511th Quartermaster Truck Regiment who were drinking with locals at the Ye Old Hob Inn, in Bamber Bridge. A white British soldier challenged the military police: “Why do you want to arrest them? They’re not doing anything or bothering anybody.” After the arrival of more military police armed with machine guns, black soldiers armed themselves with rifles from their base armoury. Both sides exchanged fire through the night. One black soldier, Private William Crossland, was killed and several MPs and soldiers injured. Although a court martial convicted 32 African American soldiers of mutiny and related crimes, poor leadership and racist attitudes among the MPs was blamed as the cause. The people of Bamber Bridge did not share the US Army’s segregationist attitudes. According to the author Anthony Burgess, who spent time in Bamber Bridge during the war, when US military authorities demanded that the town’s pubs impose a colour bar, the landlords responded with signs that read: “Black Troops Only”. EDIT: Subsequent information about this photo has come to light since posting and it turns out this photo was not taken at the incident in Bamber Bridge (despite several newspaper websites stating it as fact) but was taken following a similar incident in Devon, also in 1943. The soldiers pictured were being courtmarshalled in Paignton, Devon. This should not detract from the true story written above and the heroism of the people of Bamber Bridge. Apologies for the error. Great story Coxy. We still have a long way to go.
Glasseye Posted June 29, 2024 Author Posted June 29, 2024 This is fascinating, yet unfortunate. * I'm gonna throw this up on this thread....
Freee!! Posted June 29, 2024 Posted June 29, 2024 On 6/26/2024 at 9:20 PM, coxyhog said: [...] The people of Bamber Bridge did not share the US Army’s segregationist attitudes. According to the author Anthony Burgess, who spent time in Bamber Bridge during the war, when US military authorities demanded that the town’s pubs impose a colour bar, the landlords responded with signs that read: “Black Troops Only”. Malicious compliance, lovely.
Glasseye Posted July 10, 2024 Author Posted July 10, 2024 Imperial War Museum has a great website... 1
Glasseye Posted July 29, 2024 Author Posted July 29, 2024 I enjoy these podcasts from time to time. Although they are kind of lengthy and I rarely get through them completely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Tqf_ZUNMo
Glasseye Posted August 18, 2024 Author Posted August 18, 2024 (edited) Pinched them off like a used rubber. Edited August 18, 2024 by Glasseye
Glasseye Posted August 22, 2024 Author Posted August 22, 2024 Absolute brilliance. It is impressive and often overwhelming when you witness it in book, film or reality....
Glasseye Posted August 22, 2024 Author Posted August 22, 2024 I just hope I get to do a hot frog girl before I die.
Glasseye Posted August 23, 2024 Author Posted August 23, 2024 M 101 I'd hate to be a Ruskie infantryman. 1
Glasseye Posted August 27, 2024 Author Posted August 27, 2024 (edited) "Dark Docs" This guy is good. FDR saved the GB's ass. Edited August 27, 2024 by Glasseye
Glasseye Posted September 9, 2024 Author Posted September 9, 2024 This is an interesting piece which covers some WWII history regarding the Baltic States (early on in the piece). I had not known how significant their losses were. Estonia lost more the 30 % of it's population during that time. Really difficult to even begin to comprehend such violence.
Glasseye Posted September 22, 2024 Author Posted September 22, 2024 (edited) Some of you guys might enjoy this one.... *** This brought some tears. Never try to take advantage of an already hurt opponent. It's unethical, at minimum. Nothing makes me more angry than someone taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. It can send me into uncontrollable rage. For those who understand this than Dog Bless you. For those who can't, well I hope we never cross paths. Edited September 22, 2024 by Glasseye
Glasseye Posted October 10, 2024 Author Posted October 10, 2024 This will tear you up... (near the end).
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