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Anti-Tank Platoon, 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment, 50th Northumbrian Division.

‘After a few weeks on Bren Gun Carrier driving at Bowness on Windermere, mechanics at Fords of Dagenham and range firing at Harlech in Wales, I finally arrived at a wooded camp just outside Fawley, Southampton, posted to 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. Time was spent studying maps and a sand tray model of our next exercise, Overlord. We were issued with waterproofing kit (side extensions, gunge for dill and brakes, breathers, etc.). During the week American MPs were posted outside the camp to prevent us from leaving but vehicles and drivers were sent on to the road outside to line up on painted white squares. We outsiders had heard that the lads inside had been paid 200 francs apiece, so thought the next manoeuvre must be the real thing.’

US LSTs 499, 284 and 380 of ‘Force U’ at Brixham, Devon being loaded for the voyage to Utah Beach.

National Archives

Frank Scott

Because it was thought the retreating Germans would destroy large quantities of French currency, French francs were printed in America. Of these, 2,899,500,000 francs were allotted to the 21st Army Group. On 21 June the Base Cashier landed in France with five and a half tins of notes which were held in the specially reinforced cellars of the Chateau de Courseulles. The sterling equivalent of £21.7 million was sent to France.