Tin Shed Experience launches anniversary appeal
A small, volunteer run museum in Laugharne is launching an appeal to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the arrival of a very special group of American soldiers to Wales in 1943.
Tin Shed Experience 1940s museum is appealing for information on the 28th Infantry Division known as the ‘Keystones.’
Seimon Pugh-Jones of the Tin Shed has been interested in this particular division for quite some time, he even produced a self-funded documentary on the Americans in Wales during WWII entitled ‘Operation Bolero.’
Tin Shed Experience 1940s museum is appealing for information on the 28th Infantry Division known as the ‘Keystones.’
Seimon Pugh-Jones of the Tin Shed has been interested in this particular division for quite some time, he even produced a self-funded documentary on the Americans in Wales during WWII entitled ‘Operation Bolero.’
He says, "I have always taken an interest in the 28th It is the oldest division in the armed forces of the United States but the most interesting thing to me about these troops is that they hail from Pennsylvania and of course that area of America has a large Welsh community that dates back to the late 17th century where a large emigration of Welsh Quakers occurred and then later in the 19th century where Welsh coal miners emigrated to the anthracite and bituminous mines.
"The division arrived in October 1943 and were here until April 1944. In a way a lot of the guys that were coming over to train in Wales were likely to be returning home to the land of their forebears.
"They were based along the whole of the South Wales coastline from Porthcawl to Pembroke Dock. Recently a memorial was unveiled in Mumbles to some of the American forces based in that area during WWII, namely the 2nd Infantry Division.
"The division arrived in October 1943 and were here until April 1944. In a way a lot of the guys that were coming over to train in Wales were likely to be returning home to the land of their forebears.
"They were based along the whole of the South Wales coastline from Porthcawl to Pembroke Dock. Recently a memorial was unveiled in Mumbles to some of the American forces based in that area during WWII, namely the 2nd Infantry Division.
"Unlike the 2nd Infantry Division what is also notable about the 28th is that they were ‘citizen soldiers’. The troops of the 28th are a national guard unit and came from similar working class backgrounds to the inhabitants of South West Wales. They share similar day to day occupations in agriculture and the coal and steel industries, they were from community orientated based towns similar to the people of Wales.
"We have been told some lovely accounts over the years by people who remember the red Keystones (worn on the shoulder sleeve of their uniform) of just how well these troops integrated into the Welsh communities when they were ‘over here.’
"They made a huge impact on the local communities and left a large hole when they left. They are fondly remembered and well regarded by the local people."
After leaving Wales, the division was posted to Wiltshere then landed in Normandy, France on 22nd July 1944 and swept through Luxembourg and onto the German border where it sadly went on to suffer huge casualties in the Huertgen Forest at the famous ‘Battle of the Bulge’ During WWII the red keystone insignia of the division became known to the German forces as the ‘Bloody Bucket’ such was the ferocity of the fighting from the men wearing it.
Of the 14,032 GIs that came to Wales with the 28th Infantry, many would never see their homes and loved ones again. 9,609 men lost their lives, with another 884 reported missing in action.
Matthew Hughes, of the Tin Shed, explaines "What we would like is to have some sort of monument erected in our local area to these men. The beaches of Amroth, Wiseman’s Bridge, Saundersfoot and Tenby were all extensively used as practice grounds prior to the D-Day landings and would be fitting locations for a lasting reminder. General Eisenhower himself even visited the 110th infantry regiment of the division at Tenby in March 1944.
"We are currently working with a few organistations in Pennsylvania who are helping us appeal to veterans and families of veterans of the 28th. One such organization is the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins Ice Hockey team who are hosting a Welsh Heritage night on St. Davids day next year in conjunction with the The Welsh Cultural Endeavor of Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are also appealing through the AmeriCymru social network.
“We believe that Wales is missing out on a large amount of American visitors each year. The families of American veterans spend vast amounts of money on month long trips to Europe visiting sites where their relatives trained along the South Coast of England fought in France, Belgium, The Netherlands and finally Germany. Wales has not been highlighted as a destination and to some of them it could be the first leg of their journey.”
"We have been told some lovely accounts over the years by people who remember the red Keystones (worn on the shoulder sleeve of their uniform) of just how well these troops integrated into the Welsh communities when they were ‘over here.’
"They made a huge impact on the local communities and left a large hole when they left. They are fondly remembered and well regarded by the local people."
After leaving Wales, the division was posted to Wiltshere then landed in Normandy, France on 22nd July 1944 and swept through Luxembourg and onto the German border where it sadly went on to suffer huge casualties in the Huertgen Forest at the famous ‘Battle of the Bulge’ During WWII the red keystone insignia of the division became known to the German forces as the ‘Bloody Bucket’ such was the ferocity of the fighting from the men wearing it.
Of the 14,032 GIs that came to Wales with the 28th Infantry, many would never see their homes and loved ones again. 9,609 men lost their lives, with another 884 reported missing in action.
Matthew Hughes, of the Tin Shed, explaines "What we would like is to have some sort of monument erected in our local area to these men. The beaches of Amroth, Wiseman’s Bridge, Saundersfoot and Tenby were all extensively used as practice grounds prior to the D-Day landings and would be fitting locations for a lasting reminder. General Eisenhower himself even visited the 110th infantry regiment of the division at Tenby in March 1944.
"We are currently working with a few organistations in Pennsylvania who are helping us appeal to veterans and families of veterans of the 28th. One such organization is the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins Ice Hockey team who are hosting a Welsh Heritage night on St. Davids day next year in conjunction with the The Welsh Cultural Endeavor of Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are also appealing through the AmeriCymru social network.
“We believe that Wales is missing out on a large amount of American visitors each year. The families of American veterans spend vast amounts of money on month long trips to Europe visiting sites where their relatives trained along the South Coast of England fought in France, Belgium, The Netherlands and finally Germany. Wales has not been highlighted as a destination and to some of them it could be the first leg of their journey.”
If you have any information for the appeal please get in touch via www.tinshedexperience.co.uk
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