With mountains and rugged coastlines Co. Down was an ideal training ground during the Second World War where Eisenhower addressed troops in the run-up to D-Day.
Co. Down
During the Second World War, S.S. Bereby ran aground off the coast of Ardglass, Co. Down. The British Army unloaded the stranded equipment and supplies.
The allied military extensively used Abercorn Barracks at Ballykinler, Co. Down, while the surrounding terrain still makes for an ideal training environment.
The rural countryside around Banbridge, Co. Down proved ideal for military training exercises. Some units even made use of the loughs and waterways in the area.
During the Second World War, the coastal resort of Bangor, Co. Down hosted General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the lead up the Normandy invasion of June 1944.
On 6th April 1941, members of the military and the general public watched in awe as British Army motorcyclists tackled a challenging track in Conlig, Co. Down.
British and American troops made use of the countryside and rivers around Downpatrick, Co. Down for training. Later in the war, evacuees arrived from Gibraltar.
During the Second World War, the tranquility of Drumbeg, Co. Down shattered with the arrival of Home Guard and A.T.S. Motor Transport Companies.
Dundonald lies on the outskirts of Belfast and is home to a large cemetery that contains many Commonwealth War Graves of locals and those from further afield.
During the Second World War, pillboxes watched out over the coast near Dundrum, Co. Down while wooden beach defences stood in place in case of a Nazi invasion.
During the Second World War, Gilford in Co. Down hosted troops from across the world including British, American, and Belgian forces training across Ulster.
On 27th November 1942, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge took a series of pictures at Gransha, Co. Down showing damage caused to bridging equipment by an air attack.
As the location of Government House, the village of Hillsborough in Co. Down played host to many visiting dignitaries during the course of the Second World War.
On 21st March 1942, residents of Holywood, Co. Down observed the unusual sight of the hulk of a damaged R.A.F. Bristol Bombay plane on the town's High Street.
Several locations in and around Kilkeel, Co. Down saw use as billets, and training and inspection grounds for the British Army during the Second World War.
The townland of Maze, south of the Lagan in Co. Down was the location of Long Kesh Airfield now home to the archives and collections of Ulster Aviation Society.
Before and during the Second World War, the village of Millisle became a safe haven for many young Jewish people fleeing the horrors of Nazi-occupied Europe.
On 22nd April 1941, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester took the salute as 4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry paraded in Newcastle, Co. Down.
During the Second World War, the town of Newry in Co. Down hosted members of the American forces, some of whom played American football at The Showgrounds.
Newtownards in Co. Down has several strong associations to the Second World War from being the birthplace of the legendary Paddy Mayne to the R.A.F. airfield.
During the Second World War, the town of Rostrevor in Co. Down welcomed visitors such as The Duke of Gloucester and General Eisenhower as troops trained nearby.
On 10th April 1941, No. 10 Troop Carrying Company, Royal Army Service Corps was the focus of Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge's camera in Seaforde, Co. Down.
During the Second World War, the Mourne Mountains, Co. Down provided a training ground for troops as well as a hazard to military planes on training exercises.
On 15th May 1942, Lieutenant Bainbridge photographed No. 21 Mobile Dental Unit of the Army Dental Corps at work in a converted caravan in Warrenpoint, Co. Down.
