Many years ago, probably about 1992 as I believe I was still in the RNZAF at the time, I ordered a VHS video that was advertised in FlyPast magazine, which was made and presented by Eighth Air Force historian Roger A. Freeman. I think it was called “Over Here”. I am not sure where my copy is these days, either packed away or lost to time. But either way I could not watch it now as I no longer have a TV or VHS player.
I’d love to see the video again though. I recall that it was very good. Roger Freeman visited various villages and airfields that had been big USAAF centres back in WWII. One I recall was Saffron Walden. And I think there was also a bit with a reunion where old aircrew members were visiting Duxford.
Does anyone here recall this video? Do you have a copy? Who produced it? And is a digital version available these days? Or DVD?
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd March 2024 at 13:11
Last year when I was in England I visited Norwich and I snapped the below photo of the entrance to a big old building, which I learned used to be the Samson and Hercules ballroom. In the video, in the scene where the three ladies are standing in the street in Norwich talking about going to dances, they were standing in the same spot. (16 mins into Over There).
By: Dave Homewood - 26th February 2024 at 22:20
Did he ever make other documentaries?
By: FKA Trolley Aux - 26th February 2024 at 15:28
You are welcome Dave, I knew I had seen it on Youtube. Great to revisit.
Regards
By: Dave Homewood - 25th February 2024 at 08:14
I do apologise, Trumper, I just watched this and discovered my memory was playing tricks. We don’t see Saffron Walden, although Little Walden was mentioned. But I think maybe two different documentaries had melded together in my memory as there was not the Duxford reunion scenes that I thought I’d remembered too. However it was really great to see this again after a couple of decades!
By: Dave Homewood - 25th February 2024 at 06:57
Thanks so much FKA Trolley Aux!
I had searched YouTube and not found it. Woohoo!
By: adrian_gray - 24th February 2024 at 16:24
Not quite mine, bar two years boarding at the Fiends School* but close enough. On the list!
*I think it may have been used as a military HQ during WW2, ironic for a Quaker school.
By: trumper - 24th February 2024 at 13:05
Ohhh i will have a look , Saffron Walden my old home town.
By: FKA Trolley Aux - 24th February 2024 at 08:08
This Dave?
https://youtu.be/S42so6pIONk?si=_GLgvbI8verk8nSh
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February 24, 2024 at 1:33 am