In the small Lancashire village of Bamber Bridge, less than four miles from Preston, a fatal fight occurred on the 23^rd June 1943.

During the war Bamber Bridge hosted Afro/American servicemen with predominately white officers, from the 1511^th Quartermaster Truck Regiment, a branch of the Eighth Air Force. The 1511^th was a logistics unit and their function was to deliver material to other 8^th Air Force units in the county. Also stationed outside the village were the all-white American Military Police (MP). A sign was displayed saying “Negros Only” in all three pubs in the village after the U.S. commanders demanded a colour bar be imposed. The villagers objected as they were not subjected to similar racial tensions the Americans were used to back home. The 1511^th troops were amazed they were welcomed in the pubs whereby they could mix with the locals. In return, they were extremely polite because they were treated kindly. The American MPs, on the other hand, were described as rude and ignorant. The “Ye Olde Hob Inn” was the location for the Battle of Bamber Bridge as the locals eventually called the incident. On the evening of the 23^rd June 1943, some 1511^th troops were drinking with the locals at the inn.

By not being in the correct uniform, being away from camp without a pass or disorderly conduct was sufficient justification for the MPs to make an arrest. Responding to a report of trouble at a local pub, two MPs entered the inn to find the bar was peaceful.

Reports of the incident vary but the most probable was that when a barmaid called time at 10.00 pm, both the locals and the 1511^th troops were saying, it was too early. Although this gesture was good-naturedly meant for a laugh, the MPs thought differently. They decided to arrest Private Eugene Nunn for being improperly dressed. He was wearing a field jacket rather than the regulated “Class A” uniform. The locals objected strongly on Nunn’s behalf. The MPs left to obtain reinforcements but on their return, some 1511^th troops were walking along the street followed by Auxiliary Territorial Service girls (ATS). The MPs were unhappy to see this and immediately began attacking the unarmed men. One of the men being attacked tried to grab a pistol from one of the MP’s holster. Shots were fired and Private Adams was shot in the neck. By now the MPs left, for a second time, to fetch further reinforcements while some of the 1511^th troops returned to base and raided the armoury.  Tempers cooled down after the MPs departed.

An alternative report of the incident was that entering the pub the MPs ordered Private Nunn to step outside. British servicewomen of the ATS and local people challenged the MPs asking for what reason were they wanting to arrest Nunn. However, the 1511^th Staff Sergeant William Byrd defused the situation and the MPs were preparing to leave when a beer was thrown over their departing jeep. The MPs retired to collect reinforcement MPs and were told by their captain to arrest the 1511^th troops.

The fight that broke out was started when the four MPs returned and began shooting at the 1511^th troops killing Private William Crossland in the process, with no injuries to any MP.

 When the injured 1511^th troops returned to base rumour spread that the MPs were ready to kill the 1511^th troops.

At around midnight several jeeps carrying MPs arrived, which prompted the 1511^th troops to arm themselves. They raided the armoury and proceeded to pursue the MPs. When the reinforcements arrived with searchlights and a machine gun, they set up a road block and ambushed the pursuing 1511^th troops.

Troops of the 1511^th warned local people to stay indoors as a gun battle was about to ensue, which resulted in several injuries.

The fighting ended around 4.00 am the following morning, the outcome being that one officer and three troops of the 1511^th had been shot and wounded. Two MPs were also shot and wounded with another two badly beaten.

A house to house search was carried out by the MPs the following day looking for stray bullets. This was interpreted by the locals as an attempt to remove any evidence that the MPs were involved in the battle.

The outcome was that thirty two 1511^th troops were court-martialled and convicted of starting a mutiny against the MPs. However, the locals did not regard it as mutiny and knew who were responsible for the incident. Their interpretation was the “Battle of Bamber Bridge” had occurred rather than munity. By then they realised the incident was brought about because of the inborn racism within the U.S. army. The court-martial was carried out under U.S. regulations and all thirty two 1511^th troops were given prison sentences ranging from 3 months to 15 years. Twelve months later the 1511^th troops who received up to 15 years jail sentence were released in order to fight the Nazis in Europe. Any corporals and sergeants were stripped of their stripes and were reduced to becoming privates.

Following the court-martial a commander of the U.S. Eighth Air Force laid most of the blame on the white officers and MPs for the violence. Poor leadership and encouraged racial insults were the main cause. No charges were brought against the MPs.

In 1942 the Visiting Forces Act was hastily agreed which allowed the American military personnel to operate their own laws whilst on British soil.

The American army took full advantage of British censorship laws and the only newspaper account of the incident was 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 oppression within their own forces.

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