The locals referred to them as being over paid, over sexed and over here. They were the American GIs and during World War II more than 300,000 US troops were stationed in Northern Ireland in preparation for the D Day landings. During their short stay, they managed to create a memorable chapter in the story of Northern Ireland during the War.
With first-hand accounts from a number of the US troops who were based here, a new BBC One Northern Ireland documentary, Over Here, is a people’s archive of the period. The programme, on Monday, March 09 at 9.00pm hears from some of the soldiers who look back fondly at their time here and local people tell what affect the influx of the groomed and well dressed GIs had on them. Travel and tourism was still in its infancy, and the sight of the Americans walking the streets of Portstewart or Castledawson proved to be an attraction for the locals.
In fact, so taken were they with their new visitors that many local ladies ended up marrying their American sweethearts.
Over Here, made by Wild Rovers Productions, paints an amusing account of the era and traces a number of the US soldiers who were based here. The veterans, now in their 80s and 90s still recall vividly what it was like being stationed in Northern Ireland more than half a century ago including Spencer Wurst based in Cookstown and Dan Santagata who was stationed in Newcastle.
Ray Burchell of the 82nd Airborne was based in Ballymena. He recalls that one of the biggest problems for the US soldiers, who had never been here before, was understanding the locals’ accents. Getting to grips with the currency and local customs also proved a challenge while some made their readily available supply of cigarettes and cigars come in useful when dealing with local people who were living with rationing.
Dan Santagata from the 5th Infantary was based in Newcastle
The veterans also recollect how they were given their own personal
guidebook to Northern Ireland to help them fit in with the locals
– what, and perhaps more importantly what not, to say and do.
Viewers will also get an insight into life here during the war with never-before-broadcast footage taken by the GIs accompanied by the unmistakable soundtrack of the era. There is also archive film footage and reconstructions of some of their memorable experiences. Irene Burke tells viewers what it was like working in her father’s café in Portstewart where the GIs often frequented and how he ran a class to help their visitors understand the value of money. And few US servicemen were accustomed to being chaperoned by their new girlfriend’s mother and father while on a date!
The programme has also tracked down two of the ‘GI brides’ who married US servicemen. They tell their poignant stories of waiting for their loved ones to return from war and the heart-breaking tales of girls leaving Northern Ireland and their families behind to start a new life in the United States – many of them not knowing if they would ever see either of them again.
Producer and Director Eamonn Devlin said:
“Even though they were here for a relatively short time, the American GIs left a real imprint on Northern Ireland and touched the lives of many people here in many of our towns and cities. Therefore we felt it was important to hear from some of those who experienced that period before it’s lost forever. Over Here gives viewers a real insight into what life was like here during that time and it reveals the affect the arrival of these modern Americans had on local people. As one of our US contributors says, a lot of people here thought everyone in America was a millionaire! It’s a humorous look back – the GIs have some fantastic stories and memories – but it’s also tinged with the reality of the reason they were here – to go fight in a War that would claim many lives and the lives of many of their friends in their battalions.”
Over here, made by Wild Rover Productions for BBC Northern Ireland,
is on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday, March 09 at 9.00pm.