History Lecturer publishes photographic archive book

Dr Graham Cross has been a historian and archivist for the American 353rd Fighter Group for the last 30 years. The group were stationed in Britain during World War II as part of the 'Friendly Invasion' carrying out operations in the Strategic Air Offensive against Germany.

It so happens that their wartime home was the East Anglian village of Raydon where Dr Cross grew up, which played a strong part in why he became a historian of the United States. Their return visits by veterans to their former base in the 1980s and 90s also inspired an interest in the US and history.

Additionally, the positive memory of the US military in Britain from World War II was brought into strong relief by the US interventions around the globe during the early 2000s. This inspired Dr Cross in his ambition to understand more about US foreign policy and particularly the close relationship with Britain. As a result, the American veterans are both directly and indirectly a part of the reason of how he came to be at Manchester Met today.

The book is a photo history of the Group, covering everything from their military operations to their daily life and interactions with the local community. It draws on Dr Cross's wider academic research in this field and communicates this to a public audience.

An official book launch will be taking place at the Imperial War Museum Duxford's 'Flying Legends' Air Display on July 8 and 9. 

Find out more here