D-Day in Devon

04 April 2005

Bombing raids, American GIs’ and fashion on a shoestring – just a few of the topics covered by a fascinating lecture series, organised by the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Arts, which will give a real insight to Devon life in the 1940s.

The series begins next week with an illuminating discussion, given by Dr Todd Gray, on Exeter residents enduring a terrifying night of bombing in the Second World War, as well as interesting stories about them hosting thousands of refugees and foreign servicemen. The talk – Exeter’s Home Front in the Second World War – is being held at the Towne Lecture Theatre on the University’s Exeter campus, Earl Richard Road, from 7pm on Thursday 7 April.

Sandra Barkhof, Head of Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning for the Faculty of Arts, said: "Here at the University and at the Faculty of Arts we are committed to maintaining and creating strong links with the local community and this lecture series is part of the Faculty of Arts lifelong learning programme. We organise a high quality academic public programme including lecture programmes, workshops, and symposiums and the Devon in the 1940’s lecture series is our contribution to this years’ 60th VE day anniversary, both celebrating and commemorating our regional and local history. We already had an overwhelming response to this particular lecture series, which promises to be a great success. Similar programmes are planned for the near future."

The lectures will then be held weekly at the Stonehouse Lecture Theatre in the University’s Portland Square building, on the Plymouth Campus, as follows:

14 April: D-Day in Devon I (by Dr Harry Bennett)
From 1942 to 1944 the American 116th Infantry regiment was stationed in and around Plymouth. This talk highlights the interaction between locals and American GIs and the role of Devon as a training ground for the D-Day invasion.

21 April: D-Day in Devon II (by Dr Harry Bennett)
In June 1944 American troops left Plymouth destined for Utah and Omaha beaches in Normandy. This talk examines the preparations for the invasion and the role of Devon as a staging post for the Normandy landings.

28 April: Life at the Home Front – ‘We’re going to hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line’ (by Christopher Groucutt). The Home Front is a subject loaded with mythology for all of the people of Britain, be it built upon personal experience, or stories and anecdotes handed down from parents or grandparents, from the blackouts and blitz to powdered egg, digging for victory and the characters ITMA. This lecture will look at some of the darkest, yet most humour-filled days for the city’s history and the bloodyminded determination of Britain people to push onward toward victory, through trying and often sad days.

5 May: Saving Private Ryan: the identification and protection of Second World War and D-Day sites in Devon (by Bill Horner). This talk examines the wide range of structures associated with wartime anti-invasion defence, air defence, military training and the D-Day invasion that were built in Devon between 1940 and 1944 and can still be seen today. Increased public interest and appreciation of the historic importance of these monuments have led to growing demands for the protection and preservation of key wartime sites.

12 May: Hitler’s Admiralty (by Dr Harry Bennett)
From 1939 to 1945 the Royal Navy, operating from ports such as Plymouth, did its best to beat the German Navy. From 1945 to 1948 the royal Navy did its best to understand the German Navy and why it has lost the war at sea. This talk shows how in the midst of the Cold War old enemies suddenly became new friends as both sides struggled to come to terms with the war at sea.

19 May: The Bomber versus the Battleship in the Battle of Britain (by Tony Cumming). The assertion that warships of 1940 could not stand up to mass air attack without substantial air cover remains stubbornly rooted in the public consciousness despite the comparatively recent work of academics. A fresh look at the 'Bombs versus Battleships' debate as it applied to the situation in 1940 will be the main focus of this talk, which will look at the Battle of Britain from a naval perspective. Although the Luftwaffe did achieve a state of air superiority for two weeks, the perceived ability of the Royal Navy to repel such an operation had far reaching consequences.

26 May: From Farm Help to Front Line – 56th Independent Infantry Brigade Autumn 1943-Normandy 1944 (by Andy Holborn). This lecture looks at how three regular infantry battalions – 2nd Battalions Essex Regt., Gloucester Regt. and South Wales Borderers - were formed into an infantry brigade (from April 1944) and trained for D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. It will also look at the important, but unsung part they played in the Normandy Campaign often in the forefront of fighting on Montgomery’s right flank.

2 June: Fashion in the Forties – patriotism and austerity (by Sandra Barkhof). The general wartime scene was one of austerity and uniformity, in which people were encouraged to 'make do and mend.' The more fanciful Hollywood inspired style of the 1930s was now considered to be “unpatriotic” and in bad taste. In Britain, rationing operated on a strict coupon system from 1941 onwards. This talk will look at the impact of the war on fashion and beauty and will give a general overview over styles from the end of the 1930’s to the new look at the end of the 1940s.

ENDS

For further information please contact Sandra Barkhof, Head of Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning for the Faculty of Arts, on: 01752 238124 / 07891 349292

Notes to Editors:
Time: 7pm-8.30pm, (lecture time: 50– 60 minutes)
Tickets: Block booking: £35 (public), £23 (staff UoP/PC/OAPs), £15 (UoP/PC students, children under 16). Single booking: £5 (public), £3.50 (staff UoP/PC/OAPs), £2.50 (UoP/PC students, children under 16).

Tickets will be available on the door.