Travel feature 13: Local museums give insight to RAF Mildenhall, Air Force history

  • Published
  • By Tom Gill
  • 3rd Air Force International Relations chief
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  As Spring starts to seem like it might actually arrive in East Anglia, now is the time to plan some day trips out and about our four local counties.

With May marking the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 1945, what better way to spend an afternoon than touring one of the many local museums dedicated to the wartime endeavors of our 8th Air Force predecessors?
 
Within about 50 miles of your homes are at least 10 museums that will make you feel right at home as they are dedicated to the Airmen of the Mighty Eighth.

Though I've been fortunate to have served here in the United Kingdom for a very long time (I still remember the 35th VE Day anniversary), it has only been during the past year I've discovered what an amazing amount of work is done by a dedicated band of our host nation brothers and sisters to keep this heritage alive.

Two particular museums come to mind as best examples. The first is the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbotts, dedicated to the United States Army Air Forces'  famous 'Bloody Hundredth' of World War II. That storied group is, of course, the predecessor of our own 100th Air Refueling Wing.

Located in and around the restored control tower of the former bomber base, the museum tells the story of Thorpe Abbotts and portrays everyday life on an American bomber base. A D-4 link trainer is on display, while a B-24 tail turret is undergoing restoration.

Another wonderful example of these museums is the Tower Museum at Bassingbourn, which is dedicated to the memory of the 91st Bomb Group.

History buffs will know the 91st as the home unit of the Memphis Belle, and while it does contain a room dedicated to that particular aircraft and crew, there is so much more to be seen.

The two museums share a common theme--they are dedicated not to the hardware of World War II, but to the day-to-day life of those on the front line of the bloodiest air campaign in our history.

Their other bond is that they occupy the very facilities that made them famous. There is nothing quite like standing on the observation deck at Bassingbourn and gazing out over a little-changed airfield when the sound of a four-engined B-17 plays over the sound system.

You will be transported.

Bassingbourn is also hosting a big Hangar Dance on May 8, which promises to be a great night out. More information can be found on their Web site at www.towermuseumbassingbourn.co.uk if a night of great 1940s dancing to a world class swing band appeals to you.

The museums at Shipdham, Thurleigh, and Framlingham, among others, all offer a similarly evocative experience for anyone who has an interest in this part of our history. Every one of them I've visited has been very kid friendly too, and what better way to introduce a child to the sacrifices of their grand or great-grandparents' generation than a visit like this?
 
Another great visit might be to the Woodman Pub on the site of the abandoned 398th Bomb Group airfield at Nuthampstead, in Hertfordshire.

The pub is steeped in the history of that unit, whose lineage includes the 55 Reconnaissance Wing units who are still part of Team Mildenhall. As you walk from the pub past the memorials to the bomber and fighter squadrons that flew there, you'll soon see a flagpole in the distance on which flies the stars and stripes.

It seems oddly out of place on that farm, but the flag is flown there as the last request of veterans who have passed recently back in the states. Their loved ones forward the flags to a local contact who then sees to it that the flag flies over that hallowed ground where the veterans gave so much of themselves between 1943 and 1945. What a great link from their past to our present service here.

I can't recommend these museums highly enough as part of your tour here in the U.K., and your local Community Relations Advisors (Sal Davidson at RAF Mildenhall, DSN 238-2254; Maggie Clowes at RAF Lakenheath, DSN 226-3145) should be able to help you make a connection if you can't find what you need online.

Happy touring to you as you discover your Air Force heritage in the surrounding counties.