Military Model Scene

Title: Black Yanks
Author: Kate Werran
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 978-1-80399-35202

Defending Leroy Henry in D-Day Britain, from The History Press. A 284-page hardcover book.
This takes on the case of a US Army corporal, Leroy Henry, an African-American who was accused of the rape of a white English woman. Rather than dealt with by the British police, he was taken to a US Army court martial, found guilty, and sentenced to death! A penalty that was not possible under English law at that time. It examines the social life of Britain in the later stages of the war, how much had changed and the impact of the arrival of large numbers of US troops into the country. There was a fine line to be walked by the government in order not to damage UK/US relations at the time D-Day and the invasion of NW Europe was imminent. At this time, there was segregation in the US Army, and this caused problems on British streets, as white GIs had problems with Commonwealth troops as well. The record of the court martial are examined in detail, and the story from the prosecution is still difficult to credit. The local community raised over 30,000 signatures on a petition to save Leroy Henry from the noose, while local and national newspapers joined in the campaign. Amongst the articles quoted in the book are a number by George Orwell, the famous author. With a verdict of the death penalty the decision was subject to 2 reviews, and this led to the final decision ending up in the hands of General Eisenhower, and at the same time that the invasion was taking place. As if he didn't have enough to keep him busy!
An early civil rights story here in the UK, coupled with old segregation rules in the UK Army, and a time in history that called on the time of the Supreme Allied Commander just when D-Day was taking place. He had to make the call on this case, and I think it is interesting that in the 1950s when President of the US, it was Eisenhower who stopped segregation in the US armed forces. Reading the book also came just as I had spent just over two weeks on jury service and the statements of the prosecution witnesses they didn't ring true to me. An unusual WW2 story but one I found fascinating to read.
Thanks to the History Press for the review copy.

Robin