Sir,

Thousands of American GIs were posted in Britain during World War Two. They had a powerful impact. For many British people, they were 'the men from the movies', the Hollywood America known to cinema audiences.

GIs were based in the coastal counties of Wales and in the Valleys and Breconshire, as well as Herefordshire and Shropshire.

In December 1943, there were 6.491 in Pembrokeshire. Part of the challenge and pleasure of getting to know 'the Yanks' was matching the image with the reality. American attitudes to race could be seen, in their variety and complexity, in the way the American Army treated its black soldiers.

In many Welsh communities, black GIs were warmly welcomed. Some wartime romances resulted. I am interested in meeting the Welsh adult children of black GIs. Please get in touch. Along with Jayne Hall, of the University of South Wales, I am developing a TV documentary, in Welsh and in English.

If you have experiences or knowledge about the GIs' presence in Wales, particularly black GIs, we would love to hear from you (email [email protected]">[email protected] or 029 20 344929).

And an important Tenby wartime event is being recalled. Seventy years ago, Exercise Jantzen, a British Forces rehearsal for the crucial D-Day landings, took place around the Pembrokeshire coast in July 1943. Local historian, John Evans will be giving a talk about this at Tenby Museum on Friday, July 12, at 7 pm. A film of the event shot at the time has been acquired by the museum from the Imperial War Museum and this will be shown.

Another exciting 'GI' development is the work being done by Dr. Valerie Hill-Jackson from Texas A and M University who has made a film about war brides from Tiger Bay, Cardiff. This will be screened on July 20 in Butetown Community Centre, 7.30 pm.

Angela Graham,

Development producer 'The Story of Wales', BBC; Producer 'Merthyr

Meirionnydd', S4C