To the right of the art gallery.

A rectangular metal plaque with raised border, inscribed in English text in relief lettering. The plaque serves as a record and a memory of the significance of the Civic Centre during World War II. The US Army 14th Major Port Transportation Corps arrived in Southampton in the summer of 1943 and they took over the organization of the port. Their main role was to coordinate the shipment of American troops, military equipment, and stores through the port.

Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, D-Day - United States Army at Southampton Facebook Page

Source of image: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register

THIS TABLET RECORDS THAT A WING OF THE CIVIC

CENTRE WAS USED AS A HEADQUARTERS BY THE 14TH

MAJOR PORT U.S. ARMY DURING WORLD WAR II.

BETWEEN 'D' DAY, JUNE 6 1944, AND THE END OF

HOSTILITIES, ORDERS WERE ISSUED FROM HERE

DIRECTING THE EMBARKATION OF THE AMERICAN ARMIES

WHO, TOGETHER WITH THEIR ALLIES, SAILED FROM

SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS TO LIBERATE EUROPE. DURING

THE OPERATION, OVER 2,250,000 TROOPS, 250,000 VEHICLES

AND MILLIONS OF TONS OF SUPPLIES OF THE U.S. ARMY WERE

SHIPPED THROUGH THIS PORT. PRESENTED BY THE 14TH PORT.