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Charles W. Paradise

I was stationed at Camp Cromore near Port Stewart, Ireland.

At inspection one morning, Colonel Roy Lindquist asked me if I had a clean tie to wear.

"Yes sir," I replied, "but I’m saving my clean tie to wear on leave in England."

"Do you know where we are going?" asked the Colonel.

"I hear we’re going to Nottingham, sir."

In disbelief the Colonel walked slowly away shaking his head and forgetting about my dirty tie.

Our destination was classed TOP SECRET. The prospects of being encamped in Robin Hood land were the subject of much talk.

The roads I remember, the people I remember, but the pubs I remember the best.

I frequented the White Horse on Ilkeston Road; I also went across the road to the Peacock.

A few nights before the Invasion, I was having a warm pint of beer at the Peacock. As we left, the old gentleman who owned the pub remarked, "I probably won’t be seeing a lot of you fellows for a while. I wish I was going along, good luck and god speed." Tears streamed down his cheeks.

On another occasion there was a day when 2 British Soldiers dressed in German Uniforms, cycled through Nottingham for several days unnoticed by civilians and military police alike. British Army Sergeants challenged them and it was all over.

There was a day we were paraded in full battle dress in Wollaton Park. A P-51 Mustang buzzed the Park 2 or 3 times.

Berlin Radio announced the next day, "THAT WAS A NICE PARADE YOU BOYS OF THE 508TH HAD AT WOLLATON PARK YESTERDAY!"

Was it a yank or a German flying that plane? We all wondered.

One sad note, troopers were equipped with Gammon Grenades which as you know only invasion airborne troops used.

Accidentally 2 of these grenades were left behind when we departed for the invasion of Holland.

Rumour has it that 2 Grenades were found by 2 young boys in Wollaton Park.

Both youngsters were killed.

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