Today Bushy Park is 1100 acres of tranquil haven. But the situation was rather different in 1944 when General Dwight D Eisenhower decided to move his headquarters out of London to plan for D-Day and the invasion of Europe. The enormous build up of materials and men in Britain, and their deployment on D-Day, was known as Operation Overlord.

 A collection of huts were erected and that area of the park was designated by the US military forces as Camp Griffiss. The code name for the camp was WIDEWING.
 
The new encampment became SHAEF, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. Eisenhower's building was Hut C. Camp Griffiss was extensive. Three thousand people were based there and it had its own airstrip 
 
The camp was used post-war to house undernourished children. It was demolished in 1962.

 "Our worst problems these days involve methods for removing underwater obstacles, production of Mulberries and all the other special equipment pertaining to artificial harbors, accuracy in weather predictions and perfection of methods for getting a completely coordinated assault - including airborne"

 
General Eisenhower to General Marshall. May 6, 1944.

 "All of us realize that tremendous stakes are heaped upon the outcome of the impending operation but I am sure all, both British and American, are approaching the task with determination and confidence"

 
General Eisenhower to General Marshall. April 17, 1944.

 "As usual at this stage of preparation for an operation our problems are seemingly intricate and difficult beyond belief. Each day though, there is definite progress and I have not lost any of my confidence that we shall make a go of it"

 
General Eisenhower to General Marshall. April 17, 1944.

 This tablet
marks the site of the
European headquarters
of the
UNITED STATES
ARMY AIR FORCES
July 1942 - December 1944
and is dedicated by the
ROYAL AIR FORCE
to their comrades-in-arms

It is through fraternity
that liberty is saved.

 "I have been quite busy inspecting troops and preliminary training, planning and preparation are going forward as rapidly as possible. All the troops in both ground and air are in good heart"

 
General Eisenhower to General Marshall. April 17, 1944.

SHAEF
On this spot stood the office of
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Forde.
 Here for the three vital months leading up to the
D-Day landings on the 6th June 1944 Eisenhower and his
staff planned the invasion of Europe.
The Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force
moved to Bushy Park from Grosvenor Square on
Sunday 5th March 1944. Eisenhower moved to his
advance headquarters at Southwick House,
Portsmouth on 2nd June 1944

 "I have gone over in detail the arrangements for marshalling and embarking our forces. I suppose McNarney has told you about these. In any event I consider them most efficient and have no fears on this score. Lee and his assistants have done a good job"

 
General Eisenhower to General Marshall. April 29, 1944.