Lives and Legacies

How Hollywood came to Britain during the Second World War

To British people familiar with Hollywood movies, the American servicemen who arrived in Britain during the Second World War often seemed like film stars. Of course, some of them actually were.

A Welcome to Britain

The film A Welcome to Britain presents a guide to British society, behaviour and wartime conditions and was made for American troops arriving in the UK prior to the Normandy Landings.

Would you push the nuclear button?

During the Cold War, global super powers dealt with the prospect of devastating nuclear consequences by adopting a strategy of mutually assured destruction. Suggesting that you might be willing to ‘press the nuclear button’ had considerable global consequences

‘They treated us royally’? Black Americans in Britain during the Second World War

The arrival of American troops in Britain during the Second World War highlighted many differences between the two nations, including the institutionally-mandated racism that gave some American citizens fewer rights than others: segregation

Duke Boswell and airborne operations on D-Day

Duke was a paratrooper who completed four ‘combat jumps’ into action. He parachuted from a C-47 Skytrain on 6 June 1944 – his third combat jump.

The American Air Museum’s Roll of Honour

The American Air Museum commemorates the 30,000 American servicemen and women who died while flying from Britain. Their names appear on our Roll of Honour, which draws information from our archive onto the museum's walls.

Roger Freeman: the farmer who wrote the history of the Eighth Air Force

Roger Freeman was a farmer’s son who lived close to Boxted airfield in Essex during the Second World War. His teenage enthusiasm for the Eighth Air Force developed into a life-long interest.

American airmen in Britain during the Second World War

Over two million American servicemen passed through Britain during the Second World War. In 1944, at the height of activity, up to half a million were based there with the United States Army Air Forces.

Lonnie Moseley and his incredible 4 July escape

In the early hours of 4 July 1944, Second Lieutenant Lonnie Moseley woke up, ate his breakfast and reported to briefing room at Duxford. Within hours, he would be faced with making three life or death decisions.

D-Day at Duxford

Duxford's 78th Fighter Group were heavily involved in supporting the Normandy invasion, flying missions on 6 June and over the summer of 1944.

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Every Story Deserves to Be Remembered

Your donation helps us preserve the personal histories of American airmen and women who served from Britain during the Second World War. Through digitisation, research, and public access, we ensure their courage and sacrifice remain accessible to families, scholars, and future generations.