Are there old AAF bases left?
#1
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Are there old AAF bases left?
I am visiting england, and I had hope to visit an old US Army Air Force base [museum format?].
My father served somewhere there in WWII, but refused to talk about it to his dying day. Any leads are appreciated.
My father served somewhere there in WWII, but refused to talk about it to his dying day. Any leads are appreciated.
#2
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Dusty -
I'm afraid I can't help you, I mean there really ought to be an old USAAF base turned into a museum somewhere but I've not come across one in my travels (not that I can honestly say I've been looking!) but I did find this web site which may be an excellent place to start.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford/american/aamlinks.htm
My advice would be to contact the Imperial War Museum people (and also the RAF Museum at Hendon in N. London) who I'm sure must field many enquiries like your and would be only to happy to point you in the right direction.
Good luck with your search!
Dr D.
I'm afraid I can't help you, I mean there really ought to be an old USAAF base turned into a museum somewhere but I've not come across one in my travels (not that I can honestly say I've been looking!) but I did find this web site which may be an excellent place to start.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford/american/aamlinks.htm
My advice would be to contact the Imperial War Museum people (and also the RAF Museum at Hendon in N. London) who I'm sure must field many enquiries like your and would be only to happy to point you in the right direction.
Good luck with your search!
Dr D.
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I could be mistaken, but somewhere along the way I seem to recall the the RAF museum site in Hendon is the site of an old AAF base. If it is, it should be easy to check it out. The RAF museum is one of the most interesting military museums I've ever seen. I love those Spitfires--and the big Lancaster bomber is absolutely huge. Lots of good stuff to see, whether it is on an old base or not. Good luck on your search.
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And this link looks pretty good too...
http://www.455th.ukpc.net/tomfeise/8...her%20Counties
It appears (from the original site I posted) that there is a USAAF museum alongside the RAF one at Duxford (Nr Cambridge) so that might be a good call. Cambridge is also the site of the main USAAF cemetry at Manningham.
Dr D.
http://www.455th.ukpc.net/tomfeise/8...her%20Counties
It appears (from the original site I posted) that there is a USAAF museum alongside the RAF one at Duxford (Nr Cambridge) so that might be a good call. Cambridge is also the site of the main USAAF cemetry at Manningham.
Dr D.
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The USAAF museum at Duxford, near Cambridge is very fine indeed, designed by one of our leading architects, and a great source of information about USAAF airbases, which were all in the area of East Anglia.
Duxford is a branch of the Imperial War Museum, and also a great base for aircraft restoration.
Duxford is a branch of the Imperial War Museum, and also a great base for aircraft restoration.
#7
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Dusty:
I have visited the USAAF museum at Duxford and it is very good - I enjoyed far more than I anticipated.
I also have been to the American Military Cemetety which like vcl stated can be reached via the hop on and off bus. It is extremely moving.
Sandy
I have visited the USAAF museum at Duxford and it is very good - I enjoyed far more than I anticipated.
I also have been to the American Military Cemetety which like vcl stated can be reached via the hop on and off bus. It is extremely moving.
Sandy
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Hi Dusty, I realize you said that you don't really have many leads. But, whatever information you do have, might help us help you. For instance, you say 'somewhere there in England', but narrowing that down some more would help tremendously.
Maybe something on the following websites might help:
http://www.erowell.co.uk/airfields.html
http://www.harringtonmuseum.org.uk/WhatWeAre.htm
http://www.303rdbga.com/h-england-map.html
Maybe something on the following websites might help:
http://www.erowell.co.uk/airfields.html
http://www.harringtonmuseum.org.uk/WhatWeAre.htm
http://www.303rdbga.com/h-england-map.html
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They're all over the place. Check at your library or half.com or wherever for a book called "Airfields of the Eighth". It lists the fields used by the 8th Air Force and tells & shows (aerial photos) what they're being used for today (you'd be surprised). I find the ones that AREN'T museums to be more interesting sometimes.
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I was on a similar quest a couple of years ago while trying to find the base where my father had been stationed. My father also did not share his experiences.
By email, a researcher at the Tourist Information Office in Ipswich told me about the USAAF Airfields Official Map published by the East Of England Tourist Board. It was about 5 Pounds. I had to hunt for it in England and finally found it in Ipswich itself. It is invaluable because it lists airfields, headquarters, and memorials of the 8th and 9th airforces. On the back of the map is detailed info on each one, how the land is currently used, and how to get there.
By the way, you may find,as I did, that a postwar fire in the St. Louis Military Records Office burned up many WWII Army Air Corps records,including my father's. They began to create a new file for him based upon the DD214 and training certificates I had sent them.
As others have said, the American Air Museum at Duxford is a must see. Inside there are samples of US military aircraft from a WWI replica to an SR-71. Right outside the entrance there is a British memorial to the more than 25,000 Americans who died while based in Britian. The silhouettes representing the downed aircraft are quite moving.
My most recent photos of the American Air Museum at Duxford are posted at: http://www.geocities.com/timradams/d.../duxford03.htm There are links to take you to other relevant photos I've posted.
By email, a researcher at the Tourist Information Office in Ipswich told me about the USAAF Airfields Official Map published by the East Of England Tourist Board. It was about 5 Pounds. I had to hunt for it in England and finally found it in Ipswich itself. It is invaluable because it lists airfields, headquarters, and memorials of the 8th and 9th airforces. On the back of the map is detailed info on each one, how the land is currently used, and how to get there.
By the way, you may find,as I did, that a postwar fire in the St. Louis Military Records Office burned up many WWII Army Air Corps records,including my father's. They began to create a new file for him based upon the DD214 and training certificates I had sent them.
As others have said, the American Air Museum at Duxford is a must see. Inside there are samples of US military aircraft from a WWI replica to an SR-71. Right outside the entrance there is a British memorial to the more than 25,000 Americans who died while based in Britian. The silhouettes representing the downed aircraft are quite moving.
My most recent photos of the American Air Museum at Duxford are posted at: http://www.geocities.com/timradams/d.../duxford03.htm There are links to take you to other relevant photos I've posted.
#11
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If you haven't yet, you can try requesting a copy of your father's service record through the National Archives and Records Administration.
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
Good Luck!
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
Good Luck!
#14
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My husband's grandfather was in the 8th Air Force and was based at Molesworth during WWII. Molesworth is still used by the USAF. We were very lucky 4 years ago to go to the installation and see their mememtos from the "Mighty 8th" as well as some of the buildings left from WWII. Walking in his footsteps was very moving for all of us.
Here's a link to the 303rd Bomber group (http://www.303rdbga.com/index.shtml)
It contains a wealth of information and might be helpful to you.
Good luck!
Annette
Here's a link to the 303rd Bomber group (http://www.303rdbga.com/index.shtml)
It contains a wealth of information and might be helpful to you.
Good luck!
Annette
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