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Operation Bolero 2007
June 28th to July 1st
In Conjunction with the Suffolk MVT
The
reception, accommodation and training of the vast build-up of United States
serviceman in the UK was known informally as the friendly invasion. To the US
Military however, this went under the code-name “OPERATION BOLERO”. Just
like Ravels classic musical work, the Bolero plan was intended to progressively
build up forces for D-Day and the eventual Liberation of occupied Europe.
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The
three day event involved a convoy of about 65 WW2 military vehicles
travelling around seven of the former US 8th Air Force Airfields near
the Norfolk/Suffolk border.
Many airfields have now returned to
agriculture, but there are still signs of there past history scattered
around the countryside.
Within 15 miles of
Framlingham can be found the remains of several airfields which housed
Heavy Bombardment and Fighter Groups, all involved flying combat
missions over Europe.
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| Framlingham/Parham
was home to the 390th Bomb Group during WW2, and was our base for the
event over the weekend. It also was the location for a static display
of vehicles and a flying display on Sunday
The following
bases were on the tour:-
Friday 29th
June
357th Fighter
Group - Leiston
493rd Bomb Group -
Debach
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Saturday
30th June
95th Bomb Group -
Horham
100th Bomb Group -
Thorpe Abbotts
93rd Bomb Group -
Hardwick
491st Bomb Group -
Metfield
Sunday 1st July
Static display of
vehicles at Parham and Air Display for museum open day.
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| The
vehicles in attendance included Jeeps, GMC Trucks, Diamond T's,
Dodges, Staff Cars, two Halftracks and two Tanks. They came from all
over the country, some driving, others on low loaders.
My Jeep was the
most Northern vehicle, 'though it was towed to the event. The prize
for furthest driven had to go to a guy from Wales who had driven his
GMC for many hours to be at Bolero.
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As
the tour travelled to each airfield, a short ceremony was held at each
airfield memorial, and a floral wreath was left.
Go to the next
page for the full event report.
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