Reactions to this presence were stereotypically ambivalent.
On the one hand they were seen as ‘overpowering, loud’ and would ‘pinch your
hum’. Girls, allegedly, went wild over them, resulting in ‘more than enough
pregnant girls in the war’! Women volunteered to handle their laundry and
were ‘paid handsomely’ and, additionally, were supplied with food parcels.
Apparently, however, ‘some women robbed them terrible’.
Envy was perhaps at the time inevitable. ‘They lived like
lords eating their steaks’ was one resentful opinion. Another was
struck by their white uniforms: ‘what a difference with our soldiers. The
Americans made the English feel so inferior in their own country’.
Most were regarded as ‘nice’, but some were ‘boastful braggers’. ‘They
insulted our beer as being reminiscent of horses’ pee, but then they could
not cope with its strength!’ One lady had two billeted with her and recalls
gifts of spam, ham and fruit. True to reputation their nylons were
‘out of this world’ and local girls sported coats made from U.S. army
blankets.
What about advice given to newly
arrived GIs?
