World War 2
American Invasion
The first American troopship docked in Belfast on the 26th of January 1942, just seven weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During the next three years nearly one and a half million US GI's - their equipment stamped 'GI' for General Issue - passed through Britain on route to Europe or to serve on bomber and fighter bases.
The Americans burst upon wartime Britain with all the vigour of a Technicolor Hollywood movie!. They swaggered into deprived British towns and cities, throwing their money around, bringing a shot in the arm to local businesses and an enormous lift to the local female population.
By the time 1944 came around south-eastern and western England were so packed with men and materials that the troops joked that if the invasion of Europe did not come soon, the island would sink.
The Yanks were not so popular with the local men and British troops, who reflected that the Americans were 'overpaid, oversexed and over here!'. A US Army private drew ten shillings a day compared with the Brits two shillings. GI's could afford to give girl's a better time and shower them with cigarettes and nylons from their well-stocked PX stores. 'GI fever' had certainly swept Britain, from London's busy East End, to the smallest country retreat. By the time D-Day arrived 20'000 British women had become 'GI brides'. A much less agreeable associated phenomenon was the soaring VD rate. However, the Americans were soon moving on into Europe, leaving many longing hearts behind.