With many batallions scattered around towns and villages in Antrim, soldiers in the main town centre was a common site. On 1st April 1944 at 10am soldiers of the US 2nd Infantry Division along with various other units were formed up in The Mall in Armagh to be inspected by General Patton.
It is said that women and children were ushered from the area by Military Personnel who were aware of the usual content of Patton’s speeches . He ended this particular speech with the comment – “Veterans of the third US Army remember this, if you can’t stick the son of a bitch in the ass, shoot him in the ass as he runs away”
A few days later on 3rd April 1944 Patton inspected Derrygally House and complimented Colonel Martz on the appearance of the camp and battle readiness of the men.
Above information from from ww2ni.webs.com
List of US troops billeted in Armagh and when they arrived:
1942 : 109th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company (V Corps) [Minnesota National Guard]
1943 : 2nd Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized (2nd Infantry Division) 1st Platoon, 552nd Quartermaster Railhead Company
9th Infantry (2nd Infantry Division)
Armagh Barracks
1943 : Military Police Platoon, 2nd Infantry Division
