The Wartime Girls Who Crossed the Atlantic for Love

During World War II, thousands of young women from Britain and other Allied countries crossed the Atlantic Ocean to marry American servicemen. These 'wartime girls' often faced prejudice and discrimination, but they also forged lifelong bonds with their new families and communities. Here are the stories of some of these brave women.

GI Brides: The Wartime Girls Who Crossed the Atlantic for Love

by Duncan Barrett

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3065 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	483 pages

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The Journey

The journey across the Atlantic was long and dangerous. The women traveled in crowded troop ships, often with little food or water. They were often seasick and terrified of being torpedoed by German submarines. But they were also filled with hope and excitement for the future.

One of the wartime girls, Joyce Mundy, recalled her journey in an interview with the BBC. "We were all so young and naive," she said. "We didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. But we were all determined to make a new life for ourselves in America."

The Arrival

When the wartime girls arrived in America, they were often met with hostility and suspicion. Many Americans were afraid that the women were spies or gold diggers. They were often refused jobs and housing, and they were sometimes subjected to physical and verbal abuse.

But the wartime girls refused to be deterred. They found work in factories, offices, and hospitals. They started families and raised children. And they eventually became an important part of American society.

The Legacy

The wartime girls made a significant contribution to the American war effort. They worked tirelessly to support the troops and they helped to keep the home fires burning. They also helped to break down barriers between the United States and its allies.

The wartime girls are a reminder of the power of love and resilience. They faced great challenges, but they never gave up on their dreams. They are an inspiration to us all.

Here are the stories of some individual wartime girls:

• Joyce Mundy was born in England in 1924. She met her future husband, an American serviceman, during the war. They were married in 1945 and she moved to the United States with him. She worked as a nurse and raised a family of four children.
• Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium in 1929. Her father was a British diplomat and her mother was a Dutch baroness. She met her future husband, an American actor, during the war. They were married in 1954 and she moved to the United States with him. She went on to become one of the most famous actresses in the world.
• Grace Kelly was born in the United States in 1929. Her father was a wealthy businessman and her mother was a socialite. She met her future husband, the Prince of Monaco, during a film festival in Cannes. They were married in 1956 and she moved to Monaco with him. She went on to become Princess Grace of Monaco.

The wartime girls are a forgotten chapter in American history. But their stories are an important reminder of the power of love and resilience. They faced great challenges, but they never gave up on their dreams. They are an inspiration to us all.

GI Brides: The Wartime Girls Who Crossed the Atlantic for Love

by Duncan Barrett

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3065 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	483 pages

FREE