Within the vast area of what was Deopham Green airfield, there is a small, secluded, tree lined memorial to the 452nd BG of the US 8th Airforce.
Today there was a celebration of the 65th year of their departing Deopham Green ! A few of those who departed, at that time, came back today to celebrate that time in their lives, and to remember those who did not return !
I was so lucky to be invited, and below are just a few of the photos taken, but I find the photos cannot pass on the excitement of the conversations overheard and those in which I was involved.
Keith.
452nd wreath laying.
The Vets Team and Friends.
Thank You Sir ! He has many stories … but …. ?
And then someone produced a realy nice plan of the airfield from 1943.
And I overheard this nice guy showing someone where to mark the point where ‘8 section’ carried out maintenance of B-17’s on the plan.
Oh and .. 9 out of 10 .. for spelling ?
By: keithnewsome - 19th May 2010 at 22:29
Another item from the collection of 452nd BG memories ! carried by crews flying over or diverting to Russia ??
By: keithnewsome - 18th May 2010 at 22:52
Moving on to today, Tue 18 05 10. A small meeting of the veterans and supporters at a farm within the airfield boundary, a display of items linked to the 452nd BG and the people involved !
Then a very emotional happening ….. This is crew chief George Keating, 90 years old on 13th May 2010, from Eugene, Oregon.
Who found this, unseen by him before, photo of himself (centre standing) as crew chief on “Grade A” 1944 / 5 at Deopham Green in an albumn in the display !
These moments ……. Priceless !
By: pagen01 - 17th May 2010 at 22:35
Cracking shots Keith of what looks like a moving event, it has to be said you are handy with a camera!
By: keithnewsome - 17th May 2010 at 21:44
Thank you Richard.
Bomberboy. Thank you too for your comments, I think a little mix up with dates this event took place on Saturday whilst Dux and Horham were on Sunday ! But I see what you mean !
We must remember that, also, those who organise these things are getting no younger, sadly numbers are dwindling all around ?
Keith.
By: Bomberboy - 17th May 2010 at 10:23
It’s great to see these guys turn out for these reunions especially as they are all getting reasonably ‘well on’ in their years.
It would have been nicer for them to have had a B-17 do a flypast for them as i’m sure Sally B went to Horham yesterday to do a flypast after her display at Dx, didn’t she?
Now I may be wrong, but isn’t this airfield fairly close to Horham?
I’m sure if the right sort of communication could have been put in place, this could have been covered.
A missed opportunity perhaps for want of a very little reasearch (a phone call perhaps)?
I’m sure the verts would have absolutely been over the moon if the 17 had flown by?
I sometimes wonder whether some of the reunion organisers, which although have to work really hard on these visits, are still perhaps working in a little ‘bubble’.
Bomberboy
By: REF - 16th May 2010 at 09:36
Great photos Keith!
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May 15, 2010 at 11:30 pm