Chairman, Mike Taylor welcomed members and guests to the meeting on Monday, October 19. Three members were congratulated on recent birthdays. Members were reminded to book for the Christmas Lunch on the 9th December, as total numbers have to be limited to around 90. Our visit to the Carpet Museum at Kidderminster was also confirmed as Tuesday 22nd March, 2016.

Ron Gallivan, Chair of the Mercian Military History Society, was warmly welcomed and within a very short space of time members were fully engrossed in the scale and detail of ‘Operation Bolero 1942-1944’, the code name for the US military build up in this country in preparation for the invasion of Europe. Originally planned as Operation Roundup for 1943 but following cooperation over the building up strategic air forces, the enormous movement of men and materials laid the groundwork for Operation Overlord.

It is still difficult to appreciate the sheer scale of the operation. Almost a quarter of a million airmen, one and a half million soldiers, plus twelve thousand Padres! Where would they all live? 485,000 Nissan huts were brought over and 3000 hospitals built for US forces. Convoys were the key and we were made fully aware of the key role played by the Canadian Navy, and their losses, as they escorted thousands of ships across the Atlantic.

Don Wood thanked Ron for stirring stored early memories in a manner that made us better appreciate the critical roles played by so many.

At our next meeting in the Abbey Hotel on Monday 2nd November, Bob Skelt will talk on ‘Spies in History’. Refreshments are available from 10am and meetings begin at 10.30am. Membership is open for retired business and professional men. Guests are very welcome so do come along and join us. For further information, please e-mail the Programme Secretary, t.batesworc@btinternet.com

TONY BATES