UK police officers were not to enforce the US colour bar in Britain UK troops were told to respect the US army's practices of segregation and adopt a "reserved" attitude to their black counterparts during World War II. Newly published Cabinet papers show how ministers were anxious about rules for US troops stationed in the UK. Black troops were treated equally in the British army, but white US soldiers ate and slept apart from comrades. It was agreed: "If any segregation US must do it not us. Explain US attitude and ask our people to pay attention." Churchill told the Cabinet that the views of the US "must be considered" . "Nothing to stand between US offr (officer) and his troops: we mustn't interfere," said a note of the meeting Home Secretary Herbert Morrison agreed, but refused to have British police enforce segregation for US troops. Detailed notes of meetings, taken by Deputy Cabinet Secretary Sir Norman Brook, reveal that ministers were eager to avoid clashes in protocol between the Allied forces. But they were also unwilling to cause friction among British troops by adopting such practices in their own barracks and canteens. 'Preach disaffection' Secretary of State for War Sir James Grigg agreed there should be no discrimination in British Forces canteens, amid fears that otherwise "coloured troops can't be served". He said guidance on how to deal with the issue should be circulated to all officers. The meeting agreed that if there was to be segregation it should be imposed by the US, and that the American attitude should be explained to the British troops who should pay attention to it. And it added: "There should be a good deal of reserve, in attitude of our troops, particularly to negroes." Minister for Labour Ernest Bevin said the idea was to alert officers to the potential problems: "Educate them yes: but don't try to educate them into US prejudices." Secretary of State for the Colonies, Viscount Cranbourne, added further caution, saying the hundreds of thousands of "coloured" British troops from Canada and other colonies rendered the "not too matey principle" difficult. "If it can be said we have advocated 'colour bar' all the coloured people here from our Empire will go back discontented and preach disaffection," he added. The Cabinet then resolved to prepare a briefing document to be passed to officers in charge of regiments.



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