OVER HERE – THE ALLIED ‘INVASION’ OF TOTNES

As we approach the D-Day at 80 anniversary in June this year there will be much reflection on the allied invasion of Normandy and Europe and what it all meant.

D-Day at 80

It is well documented that South Devon played a large part in the planning, rehearsing and execution of this pivotal event, most especially our neighbours in the Slapton area who gave up their homes, villages and land at very short notice. But what of Totnes? What was going on here, how did we cope and was the town much altered?

Some American Troops had been in the area since May 1943 and from January 1944 they arrived en masse.

The 4th Infantry Division, also known as ‘The Ivys’ made South Devon their base, work site and practise area in preparation for their landing at Utah beach.

Using photographs and written testimonials from local books, press cuttings and online archives, including the Totnes Image Bank, Kathy Alexander, local tour guide, has discovered the spaces they occupied and altered, buildings they used and where they socialised. There may be a few people left in town with recollections of this time but they are getting fewer and it is with gratitude to the people who wrote down or recorded their memories that she has put together a D-Day Walk around Totnes, on 6th June at 1130, starting in the Market Square.

See the event on her Face Book page (Kathryn Alexander Tour Guide) or to book direct, please contact her on cravekathy@hotmail.com. Just £5, payable on arrival. If you aren’t free that day, she will be repeating the walk on Saturday 8th June, subject to interest. Kathy will also be presenting a talk on Monday 3rd June on the same subject, for Totnes Image Bank, see their website for details.

80 years on

Kathys’ contribution is just part of D-Day at 80 commemorative events that are happening around town on the 6th June co-ordinated by Totnes Town Council, many centering on St Mary’s church during the day. In the evening is a contemporary dance party in the Civic Hall with the South Devon Big Band (get free tickets here) and the lighting of a Beacon on Kingsbridge Hill at 9.30pm.

Check out the full listings on the Pulse events page here