Folk complain the DM's obsessed with WW2; that's why I read it! "Bearing gifts of extra rations, Coca Cola and nylon stockings it is no wonder that American GIs were popular house guests among British families during the Second World War. With British soldiers away in Europe, war-hit families were issued with an urgent plea to invite their US colleagues to share their Christmas celebrations. Faced with the prospect of their guests bringing extra food with them, families jumped at the chance to welcome the Americans into their homes, with some 50 invitations being offered for every GI, or Government Issue. For troops serving in a foreign land, far away from home, Christmas was a difficult time. Around 60,000 had reached Britain by December, with the majority being stationed in East Anglia, where they had been tasked with building airfields for American planes. As many soldiers and airmen as possible were given the day off, and advised to spend the day with British families, 'Filling the chairs left empty by British fighting men'. Posters were put up around bases bearing the message: 'GIs spend your Christmas at home with a British family'. The soldiers who took up the invitations were given special ration packs to share with their guests, containing sought-after items such as fruit juice, evaporated milk, bacon, coffee sugar, rice, peas and lard." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2513866/A-GI-Christmas-How-American-soldiers-bearing-gifts-extra-rations-proved-festive-hit-British-families-WWII.html#ixzz2oVMz7mA6
