Friendly Invasion Stories

Celebrating and remembering

The Friendly Invasion of 300,000 Americans during WW2 had the greatest impact on the landscape, culture and people of East Anglia since the Norman Conquest.

When America entered WW2 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, hundreds of thousands of young Americans joined up to help in the fight against Hitler. Many came to Norfolk, and for over two highly intense years, often risked their lives daily while missing their folks back home. They brought with them chewing gum, Lucky Strike cigarettes and a new kind of music. Their irresistible exuberance left a lasting impression on the locals in the surrounding market towns and villages. One iconic airbase was Thorpe Abbotts, home to the 100th Bomb Group. Notorious for their losses and admired for their immense bravery, this Bomb Group was the inspiration for the recent series Masters of the Air.

The Friendly Invasion Project celebrates and remembers the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 and the contribution from thousands of American, RAF, Commonwealth, and Dutch air force personnel who were based in the region.

5 Friendly Invasion Trails

Walk in the footsteps of our ‘friendly invaders’ with the help of these guides.

Friendly Invasion Festival

Local museums and history groups are staging events and activities during 2025. Through this website HOME | Friendly Invasion Festival you can find out what’s on, and events are being added all the time.

Please note the Councils are not involved in creating these events.

Friendly Invasion Virtual Hub

The Visit East of England team have created this reference point with stories in the blog, locations to visit and more. Additions are being made all the time to build a rich record of this remarkable time in our region’s history.

Please contact Visit East of England if you can contribute to the record.