Carmarthenshire's big D-Day links
Beaches in Carmarthenshire were used for D-Day landing rehearsals during the Second World War, historians have discovered.
The county was host to thousands of British and American troops as they prepared for D-Day.
The remains of ‘dragon’s teeth’ and other defences can still be seen at Morfa Bychan beach, used for practising for the landing.
It was part of the county’s role in World War II which is now being marked by a special trail.
Sites of importance are marked by plaques, and a leaflet and booklet give more information about Carmarthenshire’s role during the war.
Research for the trail was carried out on behalf of the County Council’s Museum Service by Paul Sambrook and Jenny Hall of Trysor.
They discovered a wealth of information about Carmarthenshire at war and the experiences of its people, with a picture emerging that showed how the whole county played a vital part in the war effort.
Newton House (Dinefwr Park) was a British Hospital and later a prisoner of war camp. German and Italian prisoners of war were also brought to prisoner of war camps such as that at Llanddarog.
Drefach Felindre produced material for army uniforms and there was also a US Army base there.
One of the few surviving sections of the Carmarthenshire Stop Line, a string of concrete cubes for inland defence can be seen at nearby Rhos Llangeler.
The 1944 National Eisteddfod of Wales took place in Llandybie’s Memorial Hall.
Carmarthen town was an important administrative centre for the war effort, and British and American forces had a base at Ystrad, Johnstown.
Many thousands of children were evacuated to Carmarthenshire from English cities and refugee children also arrived from Europe.
Llanelli played its part as a troop centre and production at its many engineering and metal factories was largely turned over to the war effort.
Coastal Carmarthenshire had a vital role with Pendine becoming the home of a Ministry of Defence research base and the local beaches used for D-Day landing rehearsals.
There was also an RAF Air Sea Rescue base at Ferryside and Pembrey housed a Royal Ordnance Factory and an RAF airbase.
RAF Pembrey airfield became a Battle of Britain fighter base and the explosive factory was employing 3,000 people in 1942. The Ministry of Defence moved its research establishment to Pendine.
West Wales General Hospital at Glangwili was originally built as a military hospital to treat American troops.
The council’s education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “Carmarthenshire played a vital role in the war effort and this trail celebrates and commemorates this.It is a fascinating story, telling the tale of how the Second World War affected the county and all its people.”
For more information on the trail contact the museum on 01267 228696.
The county was host to thousands of British and American troops as they prepared for D-Day.
The remains of ‘dragon’s teeth’ and other defences can still be seen at Morfa Bychan beach, used for practising for the landing.
It was part of the county’s role in World War II which is now being marked by a special trail.
Sites of importance are marked by plaques, and a leaflet and booklet give more information about Carmarthenshire’s role during the war.
Research for the trail was carried out on behalf of the County Council’s Museum Service by Paul Sambrook and Jenny Hall of Trysor.
They discovered a wealth of information about Carmarthenshire at war and the experiences of its people, with a picture emerging that showed how the whole county played a vital part in the war effort.
Newton House (Dinefwr Park) was a British Hospital and later a prisoner of war camp. German and Italian prisoners of war were also brought to prisoner of war camps such as that at Llanddarog.
Drefach Felindre produced material for army uniforms and there was also a US Army base there.
One of the few surviving sections of the Carmarthenshire Stop Line, a string of concrete cubes for inland defence can be seen at nearby Rhos Llangeler.
The 1944 National Eisteddfod of Wales took place in Llandybie’s Memorial Hall.
Carmarthen town was an important administrative centre for the war effort, and British and American forces had a base at Ystrad, Johnstown.
Many thousands of children were evacuated to Carmarthenshire from English cities and refugee children also arrived from Europe.
Llanelli played its part as a troop centre and production at its many engineering and metal factories was largely turned over to the war effort.
Coastal Carmarthenshire had a vital role with Pendine becoming the home of a Ministry of Defence research base and the local beaches used for D-Day landing rehearsals.
There was also an RAF Air Sea Rescue base at Ferryside and Pembrey housed a Royal Ordnance Factory and an RAF airbase.
RAF Pembrey airfield became a Battle of Britain fighter base and the explosive factory was employing 3,000 people in 1942. The Ministry of Defence moved its research establishment to Pendine.
West Wales General Hospital at Glangwili was originally built as a military hospital to treat American troops.
The council’s education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “Carmarthenshire played a vital role in the war effort and this trail celebrates and commemorates this.It is a fascinating story, telling the tale of how the Second World War affected the county and all its people.”
For more information on the trail contact the museum on 01267 228696.
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