Quidenham: St Andrew's

52.44932, 0.98319
TM 028 876
photos taken 12 July 2013

St Andrew, Quidenham

This was the first Bomb Group memorial, dedicated on 17 November 1944. 

From The Air War in East Anglia, by Martin W. Bowman:

The preliminary design for the window was conceived and drawn up by Sergeant Gerald Athey, an aircraft mechanic at Snetterton. Mr Reginald Bell of London, much of whose work can be seen in America, including some of the windows in the cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York, designed the stained glass. The Bishop of Norwich dedicated the chapel on 17 November 1944. A service of remembrance was held in the church on 30 May 1946 in memory of the men of the 8th Air Force [sic] who were killed in WWII. The service was broadcast to the USA and Richard Dimbleby described to the people of America, the beautiful memorial, the service and the scene in the church.

North Lopham

52.40676, 0.99181
TM 035 828
photographs taken 12 July 2013

Considering the sorry state of this memorial, the note on the bottom is quite ironic, don't you think?

96th Bombardment Group Snetterton Heath

Commemorating the American Airmen who died

When two aircraft collided over this village

29th January 1945

Aircraft 44-6137 337 Squadron

2nd Lt. G.J. Peretti

2nd Lt. E.S. Throne

2nd Lt. G. Stambaugh

Sgt. R.I. Good

Sgt. M.A. Faux

Sgt. G.C. Shaul

Sgt. N.E. Ellington

Sgt. C.C. Hagler

Sgt. R. R. Stone

Aircraft 43-38746 338 Squadron

2nd Lt. A. Philipovitch

2nd Lt. J.C. Hubbard

Flt. Off. S.H. Gooden

Flt Off. M.P. Schmidt

T/Sgt. R.J. Zander

T/Sgt C.H. Tibbotts

Sgt. R.K. Smith

Sgt. J.E. Flora

Sgt. W. Brauner 

Their Names Will Live Forevermore

Redgrave Park

52.35092, 1.00891
TM 050 767
photos taken 12 July 2013

There also used to be a German POW camp on this site. The only thing remaining of that camp is a water tower, still to be seen across the water from the site of the memorial.

Redgrave Park

65^th General Hospital

U.S. Army

During World War II, the 65^th General Hospital, a reserve unit of Duke University, Durham, North Caroline USA, was located here on the grounds of Redgrave Park.

Of Nissen Hut construction, supplemented by ward tents, the hospital had 1456 beds and served from February [  . ] 1944 to August 20^th 1945 as the major hospital centre for the surrounding U.S. 8^th Air Force. In addition, after D Day, June 6^th 1944, it treated thousands of wounded soldiers moved here from the war on the continent.

Dedicated 26^th June 1992

As a symbol of friendship between our two countries

Mendlesham

52.23023, 1.10254
TM 119 636
photo taken 10 July 2013

This is the sorry state of the memorial at the moment. Plans are well on their way for a replacement, at St Mary's Church, Mendlesham.

An earlier photo, taken by Richard E. Flagg, of the beautiful memorial. 

Rattlesden: Control Tower

52.16972, 0.87556
TL 967 562
photos taken 10 July 2013

The Control Tower is now the clubhouse of the Rattlesden Gliding Club, and is not on a road. To drive there, you need to drive on the runway. On flying days, this may not be possible, as the runway is in use. Best to make arrangements with the Club.

Rattlesden Gliding Club

Dedicated to those who served in the 447^th Bomb Group during World War II.

Their display of courage, determination and skill under stress of combat were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Force of the United States.

447^th bomb Group

Squadrons 708, 709 710 711; 447^th Bombardment Group (H); third Division, Fourth Combat Wing, Eighth Air Force. Based in Rattlesden, England from November, 1943 to May, 1945.

In Memory of Second Lieutenant Robert Femoyer

711^th Bomb Sqdn, 447^th Bomb Group, U.S. Army Air Corps.

“He remained true to his mission, true to his comrades, and true to his own standard of honor.”

Awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.

Born 31 October 1921 in Huntington, West Virginia.

Joined U.S. Army Air Corps February 1943.

Killed in action 2 November 1944

Severely wounded by antiaircraft fire over Merseburg, Germany, LT Femoyer refused painkillers, keeping his mind clear to guide his plane out of danger and save his comrades. Despite extreme pain and loss of blood, he navigate his lone bomber for 2 ½ hours, clinging to the last slender thread of life until his plane had arrived safely over the English Channel. Lt. Femoyer died of his wounds shortly after landing. The heroism and self-sacrifice of LT Femoyer were in keeping with the highest traditions of the 447^th Bomb Group and the U.S. Army Air Corps

This Control Tower was built by George Wimpey and Co., Ltd in 1942 and used originally by the 447^th Bomber Group of the US 8^th Air Force.

Having survived the ravages of World War 2, it then became the property of the RAF on October 10^th 1945 and finally became inactivated on August 6^th 1946.

In the 1960’s part of the airfield was used for an RAF Bloodhound missile site and upon their final departure in 1967 this tower was surrounded with surplus missile cases and set alight.

It remained derelict until 1976 when it became the clubhouse of the then recently formed Rattlesden Gliding Group.

The members carried out emergency repairs and reconstructional work and Rattlesden Gliding Club was born.

This work made the tower more or less habitable and it remained in a scruffy but usable state until 1988 when the Gliding Club, having purchased the operational site, began to renovate completely.

This formidable task, although tackled by many members with various degrees of enthusiasm and dedication, owes its success to a small team who worked tirelessley in their spare time to give us what we have today.

The club owes a debt of thanks to that team, namely:

Humfrey Chamberlain

Peter Neeves

Roy Firmin

Roger Firmin

Thank you gentlemen.

The members of Rattlesden gliding Club

September 1989

Rattlesden: Airfield

52.17568, 0.88256
TL 971 569
photo taken 10 July 2013

THIS MEMORIAL is dedicated to the men of the 447^th Bomb group and their supporting units in remembrance and gratitude of their fight in the cause of freedom from Rattlesden Airfield. (Station 126) 1943 – 1945

This memorial was dedicated on the 3^rd of June 1984

Rattlesden: St Nicholas

52.19394, 0.89327
TL 978 590
photos taken 10 July 2013

St Nicholas Church

Dedicated to those who served in the 447^th Bomb Group during World War II.

Their display of courage, determination and skill under stress of combat were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Force of the United States.

447^th bomb Group

Squadrons 708, 709 710 711; 447^th Bombardment Group (H); third Division, Fourth Combat Wing, Eighth Air Force. Based in Rattlesden, England from November, 1943 to May, 1945.