|
388th
Bomb Group Memorial Dedication
Knettishall
Airfield, Suffolk -
July 14th by
Stephen A. Carr
|
Several
members of the Yorkshire MVT and myself made the long trip to Suffolk
for an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the US 8th
Air Force in the United Kingdom. There were a number of events and
lectures between Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th July, with the main focus
being a convoy to the 388th BG memorial for a dedication ceremony.
The
convoy began at 08:45, on a concrete hardstand on the edge of Eye
airfield, home of the 490th Bomb Group. Around 15 vehicles gathered
for the start, although others joined later in the day. It then began
the 15 mile journey through country lanes to Knettishall Airfield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
The
convoy stopped for a short break on one of the old runways until
closer to the time of the dedication. It then set off once again to
the memorial near by. The memorial has recently been extended with the
names of those lost flying from Knettishall. After the ceremony, it
returned to the airfield to wait for the flying display by B-17 'Sally
B'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Clive
Stevens, the event organiser, had arranged for four enlisted men from
RAF Lakenheath to dress in period WW2 flying clothing. Not only did
they look the part, but they also sounded the part too.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After
the flying, the convoy set off once again, heading for the 388th Bomb
Group Musuem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mid
afternoon, the convoy set off once again for the site of the Redgrave
Hospital. During WW2, Redgrave was a pioneering hospital with a 99.6%
survival rate. On the other side of the lake was a POW camp. After
leaving this location, the convoy headed back to Eye where several
participants were staying. We left the convoy as it neared its
destination to return to our holiday cottage.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
|
