BAMBER BRIDGE, England (AP) — Bamber Bridge, a village in northwestern England, takes great pride in its significant role in combating racism within the U.S. military during World War II.
When an all-Black truck regiment was stationed in the village, the local residents steadfastly rejected the prevailing segregation enforced by the U.S. Army. Defying pressure from both British and American authorities, the village pubs warmly welcomed the GIs, local women engaged in friendly conversations and dances with them, and English soldiers forged camaraderie with these men they viewed as allies in the fight against fascism.
However, the underlying tensions between Black soldiers and white military police erupted on June 24, 1943, when a dispute outside a pub escalated into a night of gunfire and rebellion. Tragically, Private William Crossland lost his life, and numerous soldiers from the truck regiment faced court martial as a result. Upon learning the circumstances surrounding her uncle’s death through an Associated Press reporter, Crossland’s niece called for a fresh investigation to uncover the exact details of his demise.
As the community commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Bamber Bridge, it has chosen to highlight its stance against segregation, coinciding with America’s ongoing reassessment of its historical treatment of Black men and women in the armed forces.
Valerie Fell, who was only 2 years old in 1943 but whose family owned Ye Olde Hob Inn, the ancient thatched-roof pub where the conflict began, reflects on the prevailing sentiment at the time: “I think maybe it’s a sense of pride that there was no bigotry towards (the soldiers). They deserved the respect of the uniform that they were wearing… That’s how people felt about it.”
This sentiment stood in stark contrast to the discriminatory treatment that Black soldiers endured in the racially segregated wartime Army, which was mandated by law.
During the court martial proceedings, evidence emerged revealing that the men of the 1511th Quartermaster Truck Regiment (Aviation) stationed at Bamber Bridge faced various hardships. They lodged complaints about substandard food and the lack of proper accommodations, often being forced to sleep in their trucks when they stopped at predominantly white bases. Additionally, they testified that white military police frequently harassed Black troops, subjecting them to undue scrutiny for minor infractions that were often overlooked when committed by other soldiers.
This experience sheds light on the exportation of segregation to British soil. Black soldiers constituted approximately 10% of the American troops deployed to Britain during the war. They served in segregated units under the command of white officers and were predominantly assigned to non-combat roles, such as driving trucks for the transportation of supplies to military bases. This segregation within the armed forces limited their opportunities for advancement and perpetuated racial inequalities.
U.S. authorities attempted to enforce their segregation policies beyond the confines of military bases, urging pubs and restaurants to segregate customers based on race.
Bamber Bridge, a community of approximately 6,800 residents at the time, was not the only British town to defy this pressure. In a country where the overwhelming majority of the population was white, the concept of segregation was unfamiliar, and people were appreciative of any assistance they received from overseas during the four years of war. The prevailing sentiment was one of acceptance and gratitude, rather than embracing discriminatory practices.
What sets Bamber Bridge apart is the community’s commitment to preserving and sharing this significant narrative, as highlighted by Alan Rice, co-director of the Institute for Black Atlantic Research at the University of Central Lancashire.
Rice emphasizes the importance of discussing stories like this in the fight against racism and fascism, stating, “If we’re going to have a fight against racism or fascism, these are the stories we need to talk about. If you’re fighting fascism, which these people were, it’s ludicrous, absolutely ludicrous, that the U.S. Army was encouraging a form of fascism — segregation.”
In the 1980s, Clinton Smith, the head of the local Black history group in nearby Preston, sparked renewed interest in the Battle of Bamber Bridge when he discovered bullet holes in the side of a bank and began inquiring about the events from long-time residents. This led to increased awareness, and local blogger Derek Rogerson published a concise book titled “The Battle of Bamber Bridge: The True Story,” which includes photographs depicting Black troops hosting Christmas parties for village children and enjoying movies with kids perched on their laps. Filmmaker Danny Lyons also compiled oral histories to further document the events.
Last year, the local government council erected a plaque outside the Hob Inn, providing a concise account of the community’s connection with the soldiers, the ensuing violence, and its aftermath. This commemorative plaque serves as a tangible reminder of Bamber Bridge’s historical significance.
Smith emphasizes the importance of not allowing the story to fade away, stating, “The story just can’t be allowed to wither on the vine. As much as it’s withered, we’re just now trying to rejuvenate it while maintaining accuracy.”
In the Battle of Bamber Bridge, despite the friendships that had formed between the villagers and the GIs, the community was unable to prevent the eruption of violence. Frustrated by their mistreatment and angered by news of race riots in Detroit, Black soldiers confronted military police officers who were armed with batons and sidearms.
On that fateful June night, Private Eugene Nunn was sitting at the bar of the Hob Inn when a white military police officer threatened to arrest him for wearing the wrong uniform. British soldiers and civilians intervened, urging the officer to leave Nunn alone, emphasizing that he simply wanted a drink to cool off on the hot day. However, the severity of the ensuing violence was difficult for the community to comprehend.
As Nunn left the pub, he was met by awaiting police officers. Tensions escalated, and a bottle was thrown, shattering against the windshield of a police Jeep. From there, the situation spiraled out of control.
Order was not restored until 4 a.m., and military authorities sought severe penalties in an attempt to prevent similar unrest at other military bases. Thirty-seven Black soldiers were charged with mutiny, riot, and unlawful possession of weapons. Approximately 30 of them were convicted on some or all of the charges. Sentences ranged from three to 15 years in prison, accompanied by loss of pay and dishonorable discharges. As the allies prepared for the D-Day landings, many of these sentences were shortened to the time served, allowing the men to return to the war effort.
While the court martial proceedings acknowledged the poor leadership of white officers, there is no evidence to suggest that they or the military police faced disciplinary action.
Ken Werrell, a retired professor of history who studied the court martial records, highlighted the mistreatment endured by the accused soldiers. The broader narrative reveals that senior generals, aiming to improve morale and performance, swiftly implemented changes in the treatment of Black troops. Replacements were made among the officers commanding Black units, additional recreational facilities were provided, and racially diverse military police patrols were deployed.
Werrell noted that the Bamber Bridge incident held significance beyond being a minor event in World War II. It was one of several incidents in the ongoing struggle for freedom for Black individuals and America as a whole.
In 1948, President Harry Truman ordered the desegregation of the U.S. military, though it took years to fully realize that goal. Today, Lloyd Austin, a Black retired four-star general, serves as the Secretary of Defense.
However, this progress came too late for Private William Crossland, a former railroad worker who was 25 years old when he died. The court martial records provided limited details about his death, indicating only that he was found critically wounded with a bullet near his heart. According to officers, they believed he had been caught in crossfire between two groups of Black soldiers.
During the court martial proceedings, investigators primarily attributed the violence to the Black soldiers, describing them as a “mob” driven by a determination for revenge. However, locals claim that they went door-to-door, urging people to stay indoors to avoid getting hurt.
Nancy Croslan Adkins, the daughter of one of William’s brothers, expressed her lack of knowledge regarding the circumstances surrounding her uncle’s death. The family later changed the spelling of their last name. Adkins, who herself experienced direct discrimination during school integration in North Carolina, desires a deeper investigation into what transpired at Bamber Bridge.
Aaron Snipe, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in London, mentioned that he could not preempt any military decision. However, he acknowledged the Biden administration’s commitment to rectifying past injustices. Recently, the U.S. Navy formally apologized to the families of 15 Black sailors dishonorably discharged in 1940 after protesting against being forced to serve as mess attendants. Additionally, the Army renamed a base in honor of William Henry Johnson, a Black soldier awarded the Medal of Honor almost a century after being wounded 21 times while repelling enemy forces in World War I.
Snipe also expressed his intention to pay tribute to the people of Bamber Bridge during the 80th anniversary event, acknowledging their refusal to accept segregation orders imposed upon them. He commended them for their resistance at a time when it may have been more convenient to comply with the directives of the U.S. military.
