The Road To Omaha

Join historian and author Phil Hadley on a 90 minute journey following units of the US 29th Infantry Division from their UK base in Bodmin, Cornwall, with its facilities, entertainments, sports and training through the Quartermaster's Depot into the N-H Sausage Camp and down the route to the embarkation hards on the River Fal. Using a unique collection of wartime photographs and film footage, Phil tells the story of those heady days in 1943 - 1944 that saw thousands prepare for that one day - Tuesday 6th June 1944. With his local knowledge built up over a lifetime of listening, talking to, interviewing, reading, researching the troops who visited Cornwall's beautiful moors and shores and the locals who hosted them, this documentary provides a unique insight into the road to Omaha.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:22 Bodmin
5:26 1. Bodmin - The Keep & Plaque
9:25 2. Bodmin - Coldharbour Sports Pitches
15:26 3. Bodmin - Coldharbour Rifle Range
18:06 4. Bodmin - Victoria Barracks Green
21:33 5. Bodmin - Walker Lines Camp Gymnasium
24:36 6. Bodmin - Donut Dugout, 70 Fore Street
28:37 7. Bodmin - St Lawrence's Cricket Pitch
30:55 8. Victoria - Quartermaster's Depot
36:18 9. Roche to Whitemoor - Sausage Camp N-H
44:58 10. Old Pound - Sausage Camp N-H
51:44 11. Pentewan - D-Day Training
59:55 12. Roseland - Embarkation Route
1:04:34 13. Merrose - Water
1:05:14 14. Turnaware - Embarkation Road
1:08:02 15. Turnaware - Embarkation Hard
1:13:50 16. Turnaware Memorial
1:17:12 17. Tolverne - Embarkation Hard
1:20:40 18. Tolverne Memorial
1:28:58 19. Taps
1:29:42 20. Closing Credits

Among the US units mentioned in this video are:
1st Infantry Division
116th Regimental Combat Team
175th Regimental Combat Team
29th Infantry Division
115th Regimental Combat Team
110th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
104th Medical Battalion
33 Chemical Decontamination Company
531 Engineer Shore Regiment
110th Medical Battalion
137th Infantry Regiment
134th Infantry Regiment
US Army Special Services Section
American Red Cross (Donut Dugout)
13th Field Hospital
559 Quartermaster Railhead Company
3199 Quartermaster Service Company
341st Engineer Regiment
Naval Combat Demolition Units
261 Amphibious Medical Battalion
604th Engineer Camouflage Battalion
81st Construction Battalion
56th Signals Battalion
LST 7 Lt Frank O'Neil
LST 355 Lt AJ Caderet
LST 54 Lt Robert L Bunting Jnr
LST 497 Lt BW Robb
LST 307 Lt James Brette Markham

If you have photos from World War Two of the units and men during their time in Cornwall, or have family stories that you can share then please do get in touch, either by leaving a comment or using the contact page on Phil's website. Phil is happy to hear from both local Cornish folk as well as American veterans' families or fellow historians.

This video was made to honour all those who served and all those who gave their lives in order to defeat the evil tyranny that was Nazi Germany and allow us to live in peace and freedom. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

To discover more about Cornwall during World War Two visit Phil's website http://www.philhadleypublications.com To support more research and videos like this please purchase one of Phil's books or eBooks. Thank you for reading and for watching.