Prelude to D-Day

May 17th-18th 1944.

As part of the build-up to the forthcoming Invasion of Europe, D company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne is ordered to deploy to the sleepy village of Tilford. The company is tasked with guiding British units to their pre-embarkation positions.

Advance party arrives to prepare CP area

D company troopers awaiting orders at the CP

Commanders eye view from the CP

Troopers prepare to move out to guide in a British unit waiting several miles away

Elements of D Company pose for the Regimental Photographer

D Company Assemble

Sunday morning, and looking at the vicar preparing for his service, it's hard to believe that we've been at war for nearly 5 years, although the taped windows of the phone box & the air raid shelter signs were never seen pre-war.

The sight of khaki clad figures stirring soon reminds us however. There have been a lot of military movements lately, and apart from the British troops which have been around for a while, the arrival of a contingent of American Paratroopers has really got people talking!

The Pavilion is a Hive of Activity

Speculation is rife that the second front could soon be opening, & everyone is sure that an invasion is imminent. I also hear that the local Home Guard has been moved to a smaller room, and that the Navy (of all people) has taken over their usual place in the pavilion. We're miles from the coast, so they must be planning or doing some sort of admin there, but I suppose I shouldn't really be speculating (loose lips sink ships, and all that.)

It seems that the pavilion has been taken over to house a control and plotting room backing up the H.Q at Southwick.  Charts showing assembly & embarkation areas were supplemented by the assault plot, air support board etc.  The half dozen or so Wrens are kept busy updating their wall charts and typing up orders for the best part of the day.

"Got any Gum, Chum?"

Some excitement early on today.  We heard the unmistakable sound of a Merlin engine approaching.  Not unusual, as our proximity to Dunsfold aerodrome means we know most British aircraft by sound, but this one was a little special.  Suddenly, a Hurricane appeared, banking low over the village & completing a couple of circuits, before departing with a final waggle of his wings.  Everyone was waving at the pilot, who could be clearly seen, and even the reverend's wife joined in, vigorously waving a union Jack before the plane disappeared from view.  It's unusual to see a Hurricane these days.  Perhaps it was a training flight, but most likely it was one of the local lads who joined up taking the chance to say "hello" to friends or relatives as he transited the area.

The children have been excited too.  I saw them chatting to a couple of the "Yanks" in their cookhouse (well, mess tent), no doubt chanting the usual "got any gum chum?"  I hope the vicar doesn't hear the usual reply, as they say (only half jokingly) "got a sister, mister?"

The 43rd Recce Regiment

The kids were soon distracted as a convoy of vehicles came through, a mixture of British & American. It's strange, watching White & Humber armoured cars driving along streets more used to tractors & pedal cycles. More & often nowadays, you can go for walk in the local woods, only to be confronted with camouflaged jeeps, trucks & radio vehicles, although the troops with them always seem friendly enough.

 At first light on Sunday morning, hours even before the first farmer was up, the Yanks were on the move, the sound of the little jeeps engines being gunned could be heard on the other side of the village as the Paratroopers deployed to set up road blocks and check points for the expected arrival of British armour.

Later that morning it turned out that the Americans had also sent a convoy of trucks down to the railway station to meet the 10 o'clock train from Bently. There they collected two classes of children being evacuated from London. I’m sure the Station had never seen such excitement before.

White & Humber Armoured Cars

The Local "Bobby" has Words with a "Spiv"

We have had one unsavoury character hanging around though. A "Spiv" (that's a black marketer to those that don't know) touting goods around. He's been trying to sell deeds to properties which he describes as "air conditioned, with through lounges", which I'm sure will turn out to be bomb damaged houses, snapped up at a bargain price no doubt!  I think he's rather anti American from some of his comments, such as selling "American" knickers with the sales pitch "one Yank & they're down".  He also saw one lady pushing her baby in a pram.  The baby was protected with a gas mask, & on seeing it the rogue said "Blimey lady, what an ugly baby, his dad must be a Yank."  I saw the vicar admonishing him several times, and the local "bobby" has also had words with him.  After the Master at Arms turfed him out of the Navy H.Q he must have got the message, as I've not seen him or his "dodgy" watches since.

The Winner Receives Her Orange

The sound of singing  filling the air tells me that the Sunday service has started, & I'm pleased to say that there is a good turn out, especially from the children.

Today's sermon is for them, and is the story of David & Goliath.  The triumph of good over evil is a timely reminder that the tide of the war is finally going our way.  After the service, the children moved to the village hall schoolroom, where they drew their interpretation of the story.  They've a special incentive today, as the reverend's good lady has acquired a couple of oranges from our American allies.

After judging the pictures, the vicar gave the oranges to the two winning artists in their age categories, with the hope that "they will endeavour to share them with the other children, as some of them have never tasted an orange before".

Entering the Shelter

The piercing wail of the air raid siren soon disturbs the peace & tranquillity and civilians & soldiers alike head for the shelters.  True to tradition, women and children are first under cover, with the men following.

Monty Inspects the Troops

The children are encouraged to sing to keep their spirits up, but the sound of the all clear soon tells us that this was one of the many false alarms heard nowadays.  A good job too, as there appears to be something brewing.  The Home Guard & paratroopers have formed up outside the Navy H.Q, and from demeanour, I think some brass is expected.  Imagine our surprise when a Plymouth staff car pulled up, and who should step out but "Monty" himself!  He inspected the gathered troops, and seemed pleased to meet an old soldier that he knew from some earlier campaign.

Air Raid

Later that day, the realities of war were brought home to us. With no warning, we heard two small explosions, & soon realised that the village hall had been hit. Whether it was a lone raider deliberately after the Navy in the Pavilion or our V.I.P, or just a returning German dumping his bombs in order to increase his chances of making it back across the channel we'll never know. What we do know is that even here in the leafy countryside, the war can sometimes be ugly.

As smoke billowed from the Schoolroom, frightened children, some of them limping or injured fled to the fresh air outside. The Home Guards medic was soon attending to them, but he couldn't see to everyone. A more serious adult casualty had what appeared to be serious damage to his head and face, and a call went out for a stretcher party. The Yanks responded swiftly, and a 6X6 Ambulance arrived to take him to a field hospital, attended by well-trained medical personnel.

Air raid casulaties are attended to

Summary

The scenario detailed above could well have taken place in 1944, but was in fact on the 18th May 2003, when the Rural Life Centre at Tilford, near Farnham staged a "prelude to D-Day" event.

Normally dedicated to portraying all aspects of rural village life from a typical country home to traditional crafts & trades, this weekend was something new for them, with the Centre converted to give visitors a rather special taste of the days leading up to D-Day. The event was conceived by Peter Davies and organised by Chris Shepherd (Rural Life Centre), Bryan Webb ( Home Guard and Civilian re-enactors), Lee Bowden (Military re-enactors), Pauline Holloway (Wrens) and Peter himself, ably assisted by his wife Helen.  Thanks to Pete Marshall for the photographs.  Thanks also to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for the fly past.

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