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The War for Industrial Production
In 'The War for Industrial Production', Dr Christopher Loughlin takes a look at industrial relations in Northern Ireland during the Second World War. Often overlooked in official accounts of the conflict, Dr Loughlin explores how organised labour surged during the war years, and how relations between employers were often fractious, leading to industrial disputes and strikes.
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Still Over Here Part 2: The archaeology of the United States military in Northern Ireland, 1941-45 - The United States Army Airforce
In Part 2 of 'Still Over Here', Dr James O'Neill examines the remains of the largest remaining sites relating to the US presence in Northern Ireland during the Second World War: the USAAF airfields. As the conflict escalated and losses mounted, six airfields were handed over to the USAAF, training crews and modifying aircraft for the battles in the air over Europe. With each airfield covering hundreds of acres, they are often hidden in plain sight, but many features remain to tell their story.
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Still Over Here Part 1: The archaeology of the United States military in Northern Ireland, 1941-45
'Over There' was a patriotic song about GIs coming to Europe to aid the allied cause. 'Still Over Here' looks at the physical remains of the structures left behind by the hundreds of thousands of US personnel who passed through Northern Ireland during the Second World War. In Part 1 we look at the traces of the US Navy, Army and the structures that remain hidden in the landscape.
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Aviation Archaeology in Ulster - A Personal Overview
Tens of thousands of aircrew flew training and operational sorties from air bases in Northern Ireland during the Second World War. Sadly, many aircraft and their crews were lost to accidents and mechanical failures. Typically the airframes were recovered, but where that was not possible the wreckage remained buried. Aviation expert Jonny McNee introduces us to his efforts to recover four of these lost aircraft.
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The US 'Technicians who won't talk'
American forces officially arrived in Northern Ireland on 26 January 1942 with PFC Milburn Henke being selected to be the 'first' to walk down the gangplank. However, hundreds of American technicians had already spent much of 1941 in Northern Ireland, well before the US entry into the war, building US Naval Operating Base Londonderry and a seaplane base at Lough Erne. Discover more about their time in Northern Ireland here:
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Royal Air Force Marine Craft
Much has been written about Northern Ireland’s role in helping to bring about the Allied victory in the Second World War. One aspect however has been overlooked and does not get the attention it deserves - the Royal Air Force Marine Service. In this article, Guy Warner shines a light on its role as a vital enabler not only with regard to the Battle of the Atlantic but also Air Sea Rescue.
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The Last Man’s Club of Battery B
As well as being the first US division to land in Europe during the Second World War, the 34th 'Red Bull' Infantry Division also fired the first American artillery at German forces. This shell was fired by B Battery, 175th Field Artillery Battalion at Medjez-El-Bab, Tunisia, on 19 November, 1942. Although B Battery of the 175th was first to fire in combat, the very first American artillery fire in the European Theatre was delivered by B Battery of the 151st Field Artillery Battalion whilst based in Northern Ireland during 1942. This is the story of how a group of men became bonded for the rest of their lives by a spent shell casing and a bottle of good Irish whiskey.
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Coastal Crusts and Stop Lines
In Coastal Crusts and Stop Lines, Dr James O'Neill highlights the anti-invasion defences of Northern Ireland during the Second World War. Pictured is a coastal pillbox emerging from the sands at Magilligan Strand (Co. Londonderry). The dune system swallowed it up again soon after this photo was taken.
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Biography: Brigadier General Leroy P Collins
Guest author Clive Moore looks at the role and impact of Brigadier General Leroy P Collins (pictured in his Officers Blue Dress uniform in 1941) during the fourteen months he spent in Northern Ireland over two separate postings: a longer period than any other commanding officer, or possibly any other person in the United States military that served in Northern Ireland.
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