Devon history group marks visit of US troops during WW2

The memory of US soldiers who were stationed in Devon during World War Two is being kept alive by a group of history enthusiasts.

About 10,000 US troops were based in Woolacombe to practise storming beaches in the area, in preparation for the D-Day landings in June 1944.

History group Friends of The Assault Training Centre (ATC) holds regular events to mark the "friendly invasion".

ATC Friends member Bill Hibbs said it was "a connection across 80 years".

Military Historian Richard Bass said "most" of the Americans that came through north Devon landed on Omaha and Utah beaches on D-Day.

Those involved in the group drive vintage military vehicles, dress in the uniforms of the day and have gained permission to explore and preserve the old training grounds in the area.

ATC Friends member Nigel Laws said he was surprised to find an American high school ring in the dunes at Braunton Burrows.

The ring was traced back to James Richard Finney of the 738th Field Artillery Battalion.

Mr Laws said: "He survived the war and died at the ripe old age of 96."

"He had a good life, it's just a real shame that I never got to return the ring in person, but it is back with the family now where it belongs."

A visitors' book with hundreds of signatures of the young men from across the US is on show at the Morthoe museum in Woolacombe.

The BBC would be interested to hear from anyone with memories of the build up to D-Day, ahead of the 80th anniversary on 6 June.

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