Operation Bushy Park: Plotting D-Day in a Royal Park
During the Second World War, Bushy Park was home to a sprawling military base. This is where General Dwight D. Eisenhower came to work on a top-secret plan called ‘Operation Overlord’.
On 6 June 1944, after months of preparation, the plan was ready – 156,000 Allied troops invaded Normandy, some landing on the beaches and others arriving by air. Now known as D-Day, this event ultimately led to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
And so much of it was planned right here...
Welcome to our series Operation Bushy Park. From here, you'll be able to navigate to the six blogs in this series, which cover everything you need to know about Bushy Park's wartime past - from the arrival of the Americans and their interactions with local residents, to General Eisenhower's military planning that took place right here in the park.
What are you waiting for? Let's explore!
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Setting up camp
When you visit Bushy Park today, nothing remains of the vast, bustling army and air force camp that used to be such a prominent feature of the park.
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Life in Camp Griffiss
The men and women of Camp Griffiss worked hard – but they played hard too! The camp had much to offer when it came to leisure time.
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The people of Camp Griffiss
Who were the people that lived and worked in camp? Let’s explore the stories of just some of the people who called Bushy Park home in the 1940s.
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Planning D-Day
What was D-Day, and how was this crucial world event connected to Bushy Park?
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Eisenhower in Bushy Park
Discover the crucial work conducted by General Eisenhower and his staff from the centre of Bushy Park in 1944.
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Bushy Park after the war
Discover the legacy of Bushy Park's wartime occupation, as we explore the Camp Griffiss site in the past, present - and future.
And there's more...
Listen to our specially-created podcast to discover more about Bushy Park's vital role in the outcome of the Second World War. Hear directly from experts at the D-Day Story museum and the Imperial War Museum, as well as from park staff and a few special guests, to learn more about how D-Day was plotted in the park.
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ReadBushy Park's own 'Masters of the Air'
When you’re taking a walk through Bushy Park it can be hard to imagine that the park has a fascinating military past.
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ReadJoe Louis at Bushy Park
Joe Louis is remembered as one of the first black sportsmen to transcend the colour barrier, and in WW2 he made a special appearance at Bushy Park.
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ListenHidden Stories of The Royal Parks: Parks at War
In this episode David Ivison, historical researcher for The Royal Parks Guild, explains how the Royal Parks were used during the two world wars.
