Minehead During WWII

08/05/2026

Happy VE-Day

07/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18XjRrLFgb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

His plane was shot down by a Spitfire near Porlock.
A cross marked Wilhelm Reuhl's grave but it's now getting a headstone ➡️ https://bbc.in/4uEaKpD

It's being made in France after being commissioned by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the German War Graves Commission.

09/02/2026

I know I have posted about Haddon Hill before, but since then I have accessed the National Archives online database and discovered more details.

Haddon Hill is located east of Dulverton and served as an American replacement camp managed by the 12th Reinforcement Depot. The 12th consisted of a Headquarters Company, the 65th Replacement Battalion, the 70th Replacement Battalion, and the 71st Replacement Battalion. It was in operation from April 14th through June 20th, 1944.

The 12th Reinforcement Depot made their way to both Dulverton Station, where they then rode in trucks to Haddon Hill; and to Morebath Station, where they marched the back roads to Haddon Hill.

The camp quickly grew. On April 17, a mess hall was established, which by June 8 was manned by the 855th QM Food & Beverage (F&B) Co. On April 18, the 86th Finance Disbursing Section arrived to take care of payroll, and on April 20 a Mobile Bathing Unit had arrived. The 551st Army Postal Unit was also set up on camp.

These were all essential to help meet the needs of the over 2,500 men who were stationed there by April 20.

During their time at the camp, they were trained by members of A Company, 118th Infantry Regiment.

On 14 June 1944 the 12th Reinforcement Depot, and attached Battalions, were relieved from assignment to COMZ, ETOUSA. Beginning 20 June 1944, the various units began to leave Haddon Hill. Many moved to the Chard area, putting them closer to Southampton and Portsmouth, making it easier to resupply troops in Normandy.

To find out more about Haddon Hill, check out the webpage to read more details, see aerial photographs, and find out about one of the soldiers stationed there and would later receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

https://mineheadwwii.wordpress.com/haddon-hill-4/

If you have any pictures of the area during this time, or stories to share, please share them below.

31/01/2026

On June 1st, 1944, the US 79th Infantry Division, 313th Regiment, left their bivouac in Lancashire and headed to a new bivouac on Lype Hill, adjacent to Heath Poult Cross on the Brendons. On June 7th, after hearing of the D-Day landings on the 6th, the regiment began their final preparations for taking part in the allied landings. They prepared their vehicles, took part in final route marches, and checked personal combat equipment.

In the early hours of June 10, beginning at 0305HRS, the regiment began boarding their Deuce and a Half trucks for Dunster Station. Throughout the morning the troops departed on trains that would eventually take them to Crown Hill Camp in Plymouth. Just like that, the hill and back roads became quiet again.

On June 13th, 1944, D-Day +8, the regiment would cross the channel, bound for Normandy.

To read more about Lype Hill Camp and the 313th, check out the main website for Minehead During WWII.

https://mineheadwwii.wordpress.com/lype-hill-camp/

Do you have any memories or photographs of troops training on the hills or of convoys of trucks passing through the area. Please share them below.

02/01/2026

Thank you to Julie Parker who shared these photos with me. She told me how her aunt had worked in Newcombes. The harbour scene had been made for her by an Italian POW, who she believes was camped on North Hill. (I have not seen record of POWs being housed on the hill, but I do know they were sent out to farms around the area to help with farming.)

It is believed there were other bottles made like this, with a report being run in the WSFP several years ago about another man who owned one.

If you have a bottle like this, or details about POWs in the area, please comment below.

03/12/2025

On this day, December 3rd, 1944, the British Home Guard were formally stood down after the threat of German invasion diminished. They would officially be disbanded on December 31st, 1945. During their 4 1/2 years of service, this band of local volunteers did their bit to help keep the homefront safe.

The 1st Somerset (Minehead) Battalion was part of the South Somerset Sector and was headquartered as ‘Wyndcott” on Martlet Road. Formed in May of 1940, it was commanded by Lt. Col. R.D.Alexander.

If you have any photos of the Home Guard in Minehead, or family stories, I would love to hear from you, so I can add them to my website.

For more details about the Home Guard in Minehead, see the Minehead During WWII website https://mineheadwwii.wordpress.com/local-groups-and-heroes/the-home-guard/

25/11/2025

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19/11/2025

As time permits, I have been trying to update information on the Minehead During WWII website. A great find earlier this year on the American National Archives website, were the morning reports of American units during WWII. Within these I was able to narrow down reports to those listing Minehead. From these I have been able to put together a timeline of when different American units were in Minehead.

The latest update was for the 5th Armored Division's 85th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized). They were in Minehead at the the start of July, 1944, for training in their M8 Greyhound Armored cars, specifically the firing of their 37mm guns and .30cal machine guns. During the week they were here, around 626 men passed through Minehead. Some of these were billeted in The Avenue Hotel, which is now The Winsor Hotel.

It still amazes that with all the crews that came through Minehead, I have still not found any photographs of American GIs in town or vehicles passing through the town heading to the ranges. I know security was key, but someone must have some photos somewhere hidden in a draw or trunk. I urge people to look and share them here.

More can be read on the website about the 85ths time in Minehead here
https://mineheadwwii.wordpress.com/minehead-armored-fighting-vehicle-afv-range/ -Cavalry-Recon-Squadron-Mechanized-

13/08/2025

Be sure to stop by the Dunster Village Gardens/Tithe Barn this Sunday for a special VE Day/VJ Day Day Village Celebration. See their post below for more information.

Minehead During WWII are pleased to say we helped the museum with some of the information and pictures used in their display about Dunster during the war.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CZYfoXXDU/

COME AND JOIN US this Sunday, 17th August, in the Village Gardens/Tithe Barn for VE DAY/VJ DAY Village Celebration.

Bring a picnic lunch & chairs or picnic rug to enjoy with family & friends (some seating available. Refreshments and cream teas available.

Live music from Tamsin (the Devon Forces Sweetheart), Café Esprit, and Minnie Hates the Hoover

Lawn Games/Themed Quiz/World War II Displays

EVERYONE IS WELCOME – WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE