 In 1943 more Americans arrived as D-day training had begun at beaches across North Devon During the war Bideford Ordnance Experimental Station Depot O-617 was set up to experiment on waterproofing equipment for the D-day landings.The Americans' GI camp was at Bowden Green in Bideford, and had plenty of facilities, including a cinema.There was also a vehicle repair shop off the Kingsley Road, and the Pill was taken over by US forces as well.