Question about US Soldiers in Britain after D-Day.

I am doing research on a topic involving the history of US Army units stationed in Western Britain during WWII.

Before June 1944, the US was embarking on a mass buildup of troops and equipment for Operation Overlord aka D-Day. Many troops moved to the east closer to June, however there were Truck Companies, Quartermaster Battalions (Aviation), Port Companies that were based in Bristol, UK for example that stayed based there until 1945. What did the US soldiers who stayed behind and did not go to Normandy do? Did they drive trucks to different depots? Work at the docks on the western shore?

Any help on what some of these soldiers jobs were would be greatly helpful. Thanks

 

I suspect that USAAF squdrons still based in England would need massive support as wel as hospitals.

 

Thanks for the reply, you are pointing me in a good direction. I will look up info on Airforce support during that time.
Hospitals are a new one. Did the army provide medics to assist in British hospitals?

 

There would have been US hospitals for USAAF personel and from evacuated US Army troops at least until well after the breakout.

 

Frenchay Hospital in Bristol was originally a US Military hospital. They also used Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. this link may help: WW2 US Medical Research Centre :: WW2 MIilitary Hospitals :: European Theater of Operations

 

Weren't most follow on forces shiped from the US to Britain as well and from there to the continent?

Also I believe there were a fair number of US AA units in Britain as well as it being a log base for Europe.

 

My grandfather's port battalion moved supplies at Bristol's Avonmouth docks. There was a substantial civilian dock workers there, so I think after my grandfather left for Normandy it's possible that particular port was without any US Army port companies. But, I do know some port companies remained in England to help re-direct the supplies to Europe.

 

Since the Allies did not have any port facilities on continental Europe, supplies and reinforcements would have to be sent to Britain, processed and then forwarded as needed. So those supporting units stationed in the UK would still be needed there.

 

malvern...home of radar..had numerous yank hospitals and nearby storage depots..lots of yank transport all over locality. also see over here by juliet gardiner.