(Britain)

The Battle of Bamber Bridge was a conflict between American troops on the 23^rd June 1943 basically over the racial disparity operating in the United States. The Afro/American troops, of the 1511^th Quartermasters Truck Regiment, were based in the small village of Bamber Bridge near Preston in Lancashire. Also present in the same locality were a group of American all white Military Police (MP). The British were not acquainted with the racial tensions which were common in the U.S. and the locals objected to and rejected the demands of the American commanders to operate a colour bar in the village. The three pubs in the village displayed signs saying “Negros Only”. Because of the kindness shown to them the 1511^th troops responded by being polite and enjoyed mixing freely with the locals. The locals preferred the 1511^th troops to the all-white MPs, who they described as being rude and ignorant. On the night of the 23^rd June 1943 two MPs entered the “Ye Olde Hob Inn” pub to arrest the 1511^th Private Eugene Nunn for being improperly dressed. On behalf of Nunn the locals objected strongly whereby the MPs withdrew in order to obtain reinforcements. After the pub had closed at 10.00 pm the 1511^th troops were returning to their base, followed by three laughing and giggling British Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) girls. The MPs returned with reinforcements and upon seeing the fraternisation, began to beat-up the unarmed 1511^th troops. Shots were fired and a Private Adams was wounded in the neck. The MPs retreated a second time to obtain reinforcements and some 1511^th troops raided their armoury. When the MPs returned a gun fight occurred resulting in the death of the 1511^th Private William Crossland. The outcome was that thirty two 1511^th troops were court-martialled and convicted of starting a mutiny against the MPs. The American army took full advantage of British censorship laws and the incident was not released to the public. It is ironic that the U.S. forces were in Europe to oppose fascism and at the same time operating racial oppression within their own forces. For further information see the separate article the “Battle of Bamber Bridge”. The outcome was that thirty two 1511^th troops were court-martialled and convicted of starting a mutiny against the MPs. The American army took full advantage of British censorship laws and the incident was only reported that violence had occurred in North West England. It is ironic that the U.S. forces were in Europe to oppose fascism and at the same time operating racial segregation within their own forces. For further information see the separate article the “Battle of Bamber Bridge”.

Following the firestorm raid on Wuppertal in May 1943 the RAF launched another large attack on the 24^th June 1943, as part of the Ruhr Valley offensive. The airstrikes were concentrated on central Elberfeld and south-eastern Ronsdorf. Incendiary bombs were mostly dropped during this bombing campaign. Once again the German fire brigades were ill-equipped to fight the fires resulting in 38% of the built-up urban areas being destroyed. Smaller Allied aircraft carried out numerous air raids on the city. Overall, more than 6,500 people lost their lives during the Second World War from such raids. Earlier, in February 1943, the RAF allegedly caused serious damage to the Goldsmitt adhesives manufacturer. They were manufacturing wood adhesive for wooden aircraft frames. This curtailed the development of new prototype aircraft as the alternative adhesives corroded the wooden air frames.

(Mediterranean)

Operation Corkscrew was the code name for the Allied invasion of the island of Pantellaria on the 11^th June 1943. The island is located between Tunisia and Sicily. Following the surrender of the German/Italian armies in North Africa, the Allies turned their attention to the invasion of Sicily. However, the radar installations on Pantellaria were regarded as a threat to the plans. The island was garrisoned with 12,000 Italians troops well entrenched in pill boxes and 21 gun batteries. Rather than risk an amphibious attack the Allied commanders decided to employ aerial and naval bombardment to try to force the defenders to surrender. Beginning in late May 1943 and continuing up to the 11^th June 1943 the island was bombed and shelled. Despite two offers to surrender, which went unanswered, the 14,000 strong British 1^st Division launched an amphibious attack. Fighting among the two sides was not necessary as the Italians had already surrendered prior to the attack. The Italians had 40 killed, 150 wounded and 11,000 of their troops taken prisoner whilst the Allies had 15 aircraft shot down. On the 12^th/13^th June 1943 the nearby Italian Islands of Lampedusa and Linosa surrendered to the Allies. This left the path open for the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) the following month.  

(Pacific)

Operation Cartwheel was the code name for the American attacks on New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. These attacks occurred during June 1943 and focused on neutralising the major Japanese base at Raubal. On the 21^st June 1943 the New Guinea Campaign began when U.S. troops landed at Segi Point on New Georgia. This was followed by a series of “Island Hopping” with U.S. troops landing on Trobriand Island, New Guinea on the 23^rd June 1943. The island of Rendova was garrisoned by up to 260 Japanese troops and was the next island to be attacked. On the 30^th June 1943 U.S. troops, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Naval forces conducted an amphibious assault supported by air cover. They quickly overwhelmed the Japanese defenders but were subjected to heavy attacks by Japanese aircraft from Raubal airfield. The five day battle and defeat of the Japanese enabled the Americans to secure staging areas and an airfield. Once the island had been secured, the air base development and road access became top priority. The losses for the Japanese were 65 killed and 106 aircraft lost. For the Americans over 60 was killed, 21 planes were destroyed, one transport boat sunk and one destroyer damaged.

———————————————-