Wartime Contributions from Bridport Museum
We would like to thank Bridport Museum for providing these photos from their archives.
R.A.F. reconnaissance photo of Burton Bradstock and Freshwater Bay taken on 7th. June, 1942
Photographs of US troops in Burton Bradstock
The following text prefaced these propaganda pictures taken during the war:
"BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH:
DISTRIBUTED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
U.S. TROOPS IN AN ENGLISH VILLAGE.
In a thousand English villages, US troops are discovering that the Britisher is not as stand-offish as he is said to be. Taking over British built camps, Americans find that they are also taking over British built friendships. In some areas, where the camps are not large enough, troops are billeted with British families. Housewives whose own sons went off to the war nearly five years ago realise what American mothers feel about their guests, often write to them to tell them how their sons are getting on, form friendships that will last beyond the war. In a small village in a coastal area, US troops never find a door shut. Villagers entertain them, are proud to make them acquainted with the local customs, take them fishing, rabbiting, keep the village canteen open at all hours. Best ambassadors are the children. They swarm over the camp, help to tank up jeeps, learn to play baseball, run errands. The US Army has made a conquest of the village, and the free and easy friendliness of the village, in its turn, made a conquest of the US Army."
US GI's pitching horseshoes in a quiet moment
Local farmer and GI out shooting rabbits
GI's talking to little girl outside the Anchor Hotel