In June 1941, six months before the United States entered the war, American 'technicians' arrived in Derry and built a new quay at Lisahally, a ship repair base, a radio station and ammunition depots. Then, on 26 January 1942, the first American troops stepped ashore at Belfast's Dufferin Quay, and by May the number of Americans had reached 37,000.

At Langford Lodge the Lockheed Corporation repaired and maintained aircraft and US airmen were stationed at airfields all over the region. In 1943 greater numbers arrived in readiness for the Normandy landings, and for a time there were 120,000 Americans in the North. The United States spent 75 million dollars developing its facilities in Derry, including the most important naval radio station in the European theatre of operations.

Each GI (so called as their equipment and military issue clothing was stamped GI - General issue ) was given a series of handbooks on Northern Ireland to prepare them for their time in Ulster.

This book is a wonderful glimpse into the observations made by the advance party of the American officers into the social, historical and cultural traits of the Province. Below are some of the more interesting remarks and advice noted about living among the natives in 1940's Northern Ireland.

Quite sensibly the first chapter is called "There are two Irelands" and begins with a stark reminder of the task ahead:

"You are going away from home on an important mission - to meet Hitler and beat him on his own ground"....

"Every american thinks he knows something about Ireland. But which Ireland? there are two Irelands. The shamrock, St Patrick's Day, the wearing of the green - these belong to Southern Ireland, now called Eire (Air-a). Eire is neutral to the war.
Northern Ireland treasures its governmental union with England above all things. There are historic reasons for these attitudes."

"There are two excellent rules of conduct for the American abroad. They are good rules anywhere but they are particularly important in Ireland :

(1) Don't argue religion
(2) Don't argue politics."

"Summing up: Religion is a matter of public as well as private concern in Ulster and you'll be wise not to talk about it. In America we ask, "Where do you come from?" In Ulster they ask, "What church do you belong to?" If the question is put to you, tell the truth and then change the subject."

Great advice for Northern Ireland today too. Next, the climate and geography of the province come under scrutiny.

"Northern Ireland - usually called Ulster - is a small country, only slightly larger than Connecticut......first off you might not like the climate . It is damp, chilly, rainy . If you are from the Southwest or from California you may find yourself homesick for sunshine.......many people in Ireland wear thick, woolen clothing all year round."

Under the heading 'Government' the book tells us"Irish history is endlessly complicated "and in true Ulster tradition, and as instructed by the guide itself, we'll notargue politics.

Then another warning : "Be on your guard! The Nazis are trying to find out all about the A.E.F. Watch what you say in public. Enemy ears are listening."

The 'Customs and Manners' section tells the GI`s not to boast about skyscrapers, modern plumbing, express highways and the size of automobiles back home adding that "your role is to listen".

The people of Ulster are, in general, serious-minded and hard-working. They are independent in their beliefs and stubborn in their opinions. The heavy infiltration of Scotch blood may have something to do with the fact that they are exceedingly thrifty. But they are thrifty also because Ireland is not a rich country and a living is difficult to come by. The Ulster man likes to drive a hard bargain in business affairs and he thinks a spendthrift is a dope.

"yet at the same time, Ulster is a most hospitable place. If you pause at a farmer's house , you are likely to be invited in for a cup of tea. Tea is now rationed, but recently an American soldier speaking on a short-wave broadcast said he had drunk more tea during his first two weeks in Ireland than he had in his whole life before."

The social aspect of people in Northern Ireland has been closely observed, especially the "male social center" - the pub.

"The male social center in Ulster is the tavern or public house. While there are temperance advocates and a few prohibitionists in Ireland , you won`t see much of them. Irish whiskey is famous, but the price is now so high that you will find most people drink stout, ale, and porter which they call 'beer'. The American-type beer (which is, of course, really German type ) comes only in bottles and is known as 'lager'.
Up in the hills you may be offered an illicit concoction known as 'potheen' . This is moonshine whiskey made out of potato mash.Watch it. It's dynamite......The beer and ale served in the 'pubs' is usually heavier and stronger than ours. Don't expect ice-cold drinks.The Irish, like Europeans generally, are accustomed to drinks served at room temperature.They like them that way.
The Irish don't go in for the Dutch treat system. If five men enter a pub, each will stand a round, and etiquette demands that all stay until the last of the five rounds has been bought. If you are invited to join such a group, and do so, remember that you will give offense by a refusal to treat and be treated."

"Argument its own sake is a Scotch-Irish specialty and the pub is the principal forum. You may be deceived by the high temperatures developed in these discussions. The Irish call each other names, accuse each other of the most bizarre irregularities, indulge in wild exaggeration and virulent personal abuse. Listening, you may expect a rousing fist fight at any moment. Actually this is all part of the fun and the show. In America we don't hold it against a man because he tells a tall story with a couple of beers under his belt. In Ulster it is quite within the rules of the game to accuse your adversary not only of pig stealing but of actual treason. A word of warning: your place in these arguments is on the side lines."

"There is virtually no night life. Pubs close early, and the floor show and juke joint are nonexistent. You will find motion-picture houses ( cinemas) in all the larger towns; many American films are shown. The theatres are closed on Sunday. In fact, everything is closed on Sunday because of the devout church-going habits of the population and the strict blue laws."

The sporting life in Ulster didn't`t fare well in the guide -

"The pre-war tourist frequently remarked, in criticism of Ulster, that there is nothing to do there. It is true that the Irish do not go in for organized sport as much as the English do or as much as we do. But you'll rarely see any-thing more exciting than a football ( soccer) game between two tough Irish professional teams; tempers rise and the police are frequently on hand to keep order.
Both dog racing and horse racing are popular; all field sports are popular, and you might be able to get permission from a farmer to shoot over his land or to trout-fish his brook, but make very sure you get permission - poaching isn't popular in North Ireland."

The Ulster accent and local terminology is explained and compared to American vocabulary-

"In its richest form, the Irish version of English is a brogue, and there is a brogue for every county in Ireland, just as we have a Brooklyn accent, a Boston broad "a", and a Texas drawl. Many of the expressions may strike you as funny; some of them may not be understandable. Remember that many of your expressions will strike the Irishman as funny - even if he is too polite to laugh - and that he has a hard time understanding you too."

"The moving pictures have brought some Americanisms to Ireland. You will find that the young people use and understand terms such as "okay," "oke," "guy," and 'scram." But they will also invite you in for "a squib of tea," and refer to an unmarried man or woman well over 40 as a 'boy" or a "girl". Only married people who have children are called men and women; bachelors and spinsters remain juvenile until the end of their days."

"When an Irishman says: '.I am after drinking my beer," he doesn't mean he is about to do it or that he wants to do it; he means, quite sensibly, that he has just finished doing it. When he says his wife is a "homely kind of person" he is paying her a compliment; he means not that she is ugly but that she is cozy, kind, and unassuming."

"He is likely to be vague and optimistic in giving you directions: "Just up the road a bit" may mean a long way, and a "five minute walk" a jaunt of several miles. You may not know that a drug store is a chemist's shop; that garters are "sock suspenders," and suspenders "braces" or "galluses"; that a street car is a "tram"; that a "stationer" sells writing materials and newspapers, and a "draper's shop" clothing."

"The Ulsterman will be tolerant about your ignorance of Ireland; it is only fair play to be tolerant about his ignorance of America. If you live in Buffalo and he inquires if you know his uncle in Los Angeles, don't laugh at him - you'll pull an equally bad boner about Ireland before the hour is out. "

quite.

A warning is given not to flaunt cash in the faces of Ulster locals and British troops as comparisons are made with the apparent high wages that the GI's were paid.

"You carry the greatest source of potential trouble right around with you in your billfold. American wages and American soldiers' pay are about the highest in the world. The British soldier is apt to be pretty touchy about the difference between his wages and yours. It is only human nature to wonder why exposure to dying should be quoted at different rates - and such different rates.
Remember that the private in the British army makes on average 50 cents a day and that, according to our standards, most of the people in Ulster are exceedingly poor."

"Don't be a spendthrift . Don't be a dope".

The Conclusion

Every American soldier is an ambassador of good will.
Don't criticize the food, the beer, the cigarettes.
Avoid arguing religion or politics.
Don't throw your money around.
Don't tell them - let them tell you.
In dealings with the people of Northern ireland, let this be your slogan :

It's common decency to treat your friends well; it is a military necessity to treat your allies well.

So there you have it, the GI handbook for Northern Ireland during WWII. What do you think ? Did they get it right ? If you remember the American soldiers in your area, especially during the build up to D-Day we'd love to hear from you.
Perhaps you were one of the GI`s that read this very book as you travelled across the Atlantic bound for Belfast ?

Send us your comment in the box below.