Bases in Dorset

1st US Infantry Division's pre D-Day bases in Dorset:

Divisional HQ: Langton House, near Blandford Forum.
16 Infantry Regiment: Its HQ was at Parnham House, near Beaminster, with its three Infantry Battalions, HQ Company, Service Company, Cannon Company and Anti-tank Company located in Bridport, Lyme Regis, Abbotsbury, Litton Cheney and Beaminster.
18 Infantry Regiment: This Regiment was located in the Weymouth-Dorchester area and had its HQ at Ilsington House, near Puddletown. Its battalions moved around a bit; the 1st Battalion was at Piddlehinton Camp then Chickerell Camp, the 2nd Battalion and Cannon Company at Broadmayne and West Knighton, the 3rd Battalion and Service Company were in Dorchester. The Anti-tank Company was at Winterborne St. Martin and HQ Company remained at Puddletown.
26 Infantry Regiment: Its HQ was at Bimmegar Hall near Wareham, with 1st and 2nd Battalions, Cannon Company and the Anti-tank Company all at Swanage. The 3rd Battalion was near Blandford and the Service and HQ Companies at Wareham.
1st Division Artillery: The Divisional Artillery commander had his HQ and HQ Battery at Spettisbury and his 5th, 7th and 32nd Artillery Battalions were in camps near Piddlehinton.
1st Engineer Combat Battalion: Its HQ and Service Company were at Langton House with the companies as follow: A Company at Charmouth, B Company around Corfe Castle and C Company was at Studland.
1st Division Signal Company: Bryanston Camp near Blandford.
1st Reconnaissance Troop: Initially located at Norden Hill Camp, Maiden Newton but subsequently at Piddlehinton Camp.
1st Division MP Platoon: Piddlehinton Camp.
701st Ordnance Light Maintenance Company: Dorchester with its HQ in Wadham House.
1st Quartermaster Company: Dorchester.
1st Medical Battalion: Piddlehinton Camp then Cattistock.

Other American Units Based in Dorset

Before D-Day US troops based in the county included no less than seven tented hospitals located at sites across Dorset, including several near Blandford and Shaftsbury. Very heavy Allied casualties were expected during the landing phase. In addition, massive supply depots, fuel and ammunition dumps were established to ensure that after D-Day the Allies enjoyed a clear material advantage during their battle with the Germans in Normandy. The joke of the day was that it 'is a wonder that Britain hasn't sunk under the weight of the tanks and guns' stockpiled for the invasion.

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