Tandragee, Co. Armagh is a small town near Portadown, Co. Armagh. It's connections to the main Belfast-Dublin railway and proximity to the River Cusher and Newry Canal made it an ideal staging post for the United States Army in 1943.
On 25th May 1942, the tranquility of the rural fields on the outskirts of Tandragee, Co. Armagh shattered when Supermarine Spitfire BL325 came down near Cordrain Orange Hall. A little over a year later, life in the town would change dramatically with the arrival of American GIs as part of 6th Cavalry.
One historic moment for 6th Cavalry took place in the town. The unit held its last parade on 31st December 1943 in Tandragee, Co. Armagh. The regiment then became 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group. This unit formed of 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.
US National Archives Photo. (Part of the US Army Signal Corps Photograph Collection). Over 1,500 men of the US 6th Cavalry were based at Tandragee Castle, Bannvale House and Gilford Castle. On 11th November 1943, they observed Armistice Day at the Tandragee War Memorial.
Places of Interest
The following places will be of interest to anyone wishing to explore more of the area's Second World War heritage.
