The Historic Pub Where Eisenhower and Patton Planned D-Day
Alejandro García Iglesias / YouTube
The Diary Entry That Revealed a Moment in History
In a quiet village in Cheshire, England, a small pub holds a surprising piece of World War II history. The Bells of Peover, located in Lower Peover, is where an unknown American serviceman once scribbled a short entry in his diary: “D-Day tomorrow. Everybody quite excited. We land at Arromanches, clear three villages and Bayeux.” The brief note, dated June 5, 1944, was written in block letters and later found in an upstairs room of the pub. Though simple, it hinted at the scale of what was about to unfold.
Phil Smith, who runs the pub today, says the diary still gives him chills every time he looks at it. Framed and displayed in the dining room, the diary is shown beside a detailed map of Normandy’s beaches. Both items mark the spot’s deeper importance. It was in this very room that two key American generals—Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton—discussed the plans that would shape the invasion of France.
Planning Over Meals and Quiet Moments
In spring 1944, Eisenhower and Patton dined together at the Bells of Peover over two days. At the time, Eisenhower was commander of Allied forces, and Patton was preparing to lead the U.S. Third Army. Nearby, Patton’s troops trained for battle while he set up headquarters at Peover Hall, just down the road from the pub. His men would arrive in France a month after the landings.
Henry Brooks, whose family owns Peover Hall, remembers stories passed down from his father. Tank tracks from that time can still be seen between the estate and a nearby pub. Though the wartime huts are gone, memories remain strong. Brooks says the Americans rebuilt one road so well that his family never had to touch it again.
View this post on Instagram
Personal Touches and Local Bonds
Patton was not only a military leader. As a devout Christian, he often visited St Lawrence Church within the Peover Hall grounds. There, he gave a U.S. flag that still hangs inside today. Patton was known for speeches filled with strong language and energy. But during a talk at a British club in April 1944, he caused controversy by saying the United States and Britain were meant to rule the world. The comment angered other Allied nations and led to a formal warning from his superiors.
Even with the controversy, Patton remained a popular figure. American tourists visiting the region still ask to eat in the same pub room where he once sat. Many stop by on their way to other landmarks in northern England, eager to experience a piece of wartime history.
Local Soldiers and Quiet Heroes
The village also remembers its own. A display in a local church honors those from the area who served. One of them was Joseph Hunter, who joined the British Army in 1941. On June 6, 1944, he landed on Sword Beach as part of an anti-tank regiment. His daughter, Sue Sullivan, says he rarely spoke about the war. However, he helped young German women relocate to Cheshire after the war to escape poor conditions in their country.
One of those women, Margot from Essen, lived with Hunter’s family and remained part of their lives. After his service ended, Hunter worked in Manchester as a furniture manager. Others, like Geoff Gough of the 61st Medium Regiment, also returned home. His sons now preserve his memory by driving around in a restored 1942 Army jeep marked with the unit’s number.
Andy and Ian Gough often lead tours to Normandy. For them, these trips brought new meaning to their father’s quiet life back home. While he was once just a local man shopping in town, in France he was remembered as a hero.
Keep going for the video below:
