When residents were forced to desert their homes
The lost village of Tyneham was bought by the MoD. Picture by Arthur Grant In Autumn 1943, residents received a letter from the Government to vacate their homes and were given just over a month’s notice to leave. The place was evacuated to make way for US troops practising for the D-Day landings, with tank firing ranges also set up. An official letter stated: The Government appreciate that this is no small sacrifice which you are asked to make, but they are sure that you will give this further help towards winning the war with a good heart.