Camp Griffiss facts for kids
Camp Griffiss was a big American military base in the United Kingdom. It was used during and after World War II. This camp was built inside Bushy Park in Middlesex, England. Today, this area is part of London.
From July 1942 to December 1944, Camp Griffiss was the main European office for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). A very important leader, Dwight D. Eisenhower, planned the famous D-Day invasion from here. Most of the camp's buildings were taken down by the early 1960s. Now, a special memorial stands where the camp used to be.
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Where Was Camp Griffiss?
Camp Griffiss was located at the Teddington side of Bushy Park. It was east of the main road that goes through the park.
A Secret Headquarters During World War II
Starting in 1942, Bushy Park became home to a large US military base called Camp Griffiss. It was a very important place for many Allied groups. The camp served as the main European base for the USAAF from 1942 to 1944.
General Dwight Eisenhower did not want to work in the busy center of London during the war. So, he chose Bushy Park for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). This was the main command center for planning a huge operation called Operation Overlord. This secret plan was for the Allied invasion of Europe, which started with the D-Day landings.
The base was named after Lieutenant Colonel Townsend Griffiss. He was an assistant to Major General James E. Chaney. Sadly, Griffiss died when his plane was accidentally shot down by Polish pilots from the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was the first US airman to die in Europe after the US joined World War II.
Many people who were at the camp believed it was meant to be built in a different town called Bushey. They thought it was built in Bushy Park by mistake!
What Happened After the War?
When the American forces left, some families who didn't have homes moved into the empty buildings. They used the camp's empty huts, bathrooms, and water taps for several years.
Most of the camp's buildings were removed by 1963. Near the Teddington end of the park, you can find two memorials today:
- A round USAAF Memorial tablet sits on a raised block. This block is shaped like a five-pointed star made of bricks. It's inside a small five-sided area.
- The exact spot where Eisenhower's office used to be is marked with bricks. There is also a memorial for SHAEF and a flagpole there.
Some American forces also stayed at a place called Upper Lodge in Bushy Park. When they left, they left behind a concrete monument. It has the words: "5 C D, TEXAS, 1942."
Images for kids
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The USAAF memorial seen through the trees.
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The USAAF memorial has a low five-sided fence around it.
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The area has been returned to nature, and deer now roam here.
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This tablet was put up by the RAF to remember the USAAF.
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A plaque in Bushy Park marks the spot of the USAAF European Headquarters.
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The site of Eisenhower's office is marked in brick with a flagpole.
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The SHAEF memorial is on the site where Eisenhower's tent once stood.
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A plaque for SHAEF.
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The SHAEF memorial is in the front, with the USAAF memorial among the trees.
