Part 8 Swaffham and it's neighbours (Part 1)

One thing that has struck me since starting this project, is how quickly developments take over and any remnants of our heritage disappear. However, deep digging often finds small reminders of those dark days of World War II and the people who's lives were touched by them.The differences between predecessor's visits from only a few years ago and today, can be quite stark.

Whilst visiting the Swaffham (Norfolk) area, this was perhaps more prominent than in many of the other places I'd been. Like other sections, this area was predominately American in nature, forming the back bone of the USAAF, fighter and bomber squadrons of the 8th Airforce.Our first stop is RAF Methwold. 

RAF Methwold.

Located between Downham Market and Thetford, Methwold is a small rural setting on the edge of  Thetford Forest. It's village sign and memorial, remind the passer by of it's strong airforce links - a Lockheed Ventura taking off over the village church. Methwold was actually built as a satellite for RAF Feltwell and as such, had no initial squadrons of it's own. Being of grass construction, Wellingtons would be dispersed here, for safety, from nearby RAF Feltwell and were often seen as a result. Two squadrons of Venturas finally arrived in 1942, 464 and 487 sqns, comprising of New Zealand and Australian crews. The

One of the T2 hangars.

Venturas earned themselves some unsavoury names due to their poor performance, and losses were often high. On a diversionary raiding party, eleven out of twelve (one retuning due to engine trouble) were lost over enemy territory and one surviving pilot, Squadron Leader Leonard Trent, was taken to Stalag Luft III where he participated in the 'Great Escape'. On his return to England at the end of the war, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action. Later in the war, concrete runways were built upgrading Methwold to a heavy bomber station in preparation for the forthcoming Lancasters and Stirlings of 149, 218 and 207 squadrons. A quantity of Horsas were also stored in probably in preparation for D-day.

Perimeter track looking south

Main runway looking NW

Today, Methwold is agricultural, with some of the buildings being used for farming purposes or light industry, The airfield is split by the main road, B1112, with the industrial units (stores and huts) being on the northerly side.A large T2 hangar stores equipment and other farm related products and the main runway, built later in the war, is also used for storage. The perimeter track allows access to the runway past the hangar to an area of development further south to where the turret trainers and the Gymnasium once stood. Factories have replaced further T2 hangars but little else is left visible. Local information and further detail is available from the local Methwold history group. http://www.methwoldhistorygroup.org.uk/mhg_raf_methwold.html 

Desert Rats memorial.   On leaving Methwold, I travelled through part of Thetford Forest and came across a memorial that I didn't know existed. A (Churchill I believe) tank sits proudly at what was the entrance to the camp where the 'Rats' were stationed prior to the D-day landings.

Desert Rats memorial

This, according to the plaque, is the only time they were stationed in the UK before being amongst the first to land on Gold beach on that fateful day in June 1944. A map guides you round the camp on concrete pathways pointing out notable points of interest, buildings etc that still exist today. A poignant reminder and worthy of a short break on the journey today.

Desert Rats memorial

RAF Bodney (station 141)

Currently an Army training base, the site of RAF Bodney is in a corner of the STANTA grounds and therefore off limits to the public. Signs warning of MOD activity are everywhere but some evidence of the airfield can be seen from the adjacent B1108. The original water tower and pump still serve the camp, a few bunkers exist but there are no hard surfaces left. Another airfield that was designed as a satellite, it saw a range of RAF aircraft dispersed across it's grounds. Blenheims (from Watton) and Venturas (from Methwold) were often seen amongst the trees. It wasn't until 1943, when the USAAF took over bringing in P-47s of the 352nd fighter group for long range fighter escort, strafing runs and ground attack duties, that the field was heavily used.

Original water tower

In 1944 these aircraft were exchanged for the infamous P-51 Mustangs. The group had mixed fortunes during their time here. Whilst acting on escort duties for a raid over Brunswick, they shot down 27 enemy BF-109s and FW-190s with the loss of only one aircraft. This action earned them a Distinguished Unit Citation. At one point, the US 8th airforce highest scorer, Major George Preddy flew from here until he was shot down by friendly fire on Christmas day, 1944.

Bodney bunkers

A further tragedy was to bestow the unit on D-day when a P-51 piloted by Lieutenant Bob Frascotti struck the tower killing him in the process. A new tower was built in a different location which existed for some considerable time (and may even still be there today). The unit gained themselves the unsavoury name "The Blue nosed bastards of Bodney" because of the blue nosed Mustangs they flew with such determination and fever. Many of the buildings were pulled down in 2013 due to vandalism and increased use for Rave parties, little now stands visible telling the incredible stories of this forgotten airfield.  

N.B. A P-51C was assembled at Duxford in May 2013 for a tribute flypast to Frascotti, a video of the  memorial fly past is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AviMh1Vrvow There are also links to the the 352nd at http://www.352ndfightergroup.com/ with a link to the superb 'Bluenoser' magazine.

Introduction.

These series of trails are the musings of an aviation enthusiast with too much time on their hands. I simply have a love of aviation (in particular military) having been introduced by my father’s stories of his time in the Royal Air Force during the 1950s.

I grew up in the 60s and 70s when British aircraft ruled the world, fast jets adorned the skies over Britain which, at the end of the Cold War, had been ready to tackle, head on, the threat of Soviet Russia and her allies.

Like many children of that era, I spent many an hour perched at the end of runways, peering through fences, often with armed guards loitering close by, and generally staring skyward. I lived nearby to what was the British Aerospace development at Bitteswell, Leicestershire. Standing at my parent’s bedroom window, I could see Vulcans and the like circling following modification work. I developed a knack for locating disused airfields through the car window, where I would drift off into my own little world, visualising aircraft taxiing and lifting off into the skies above worn torn Britain.

As a child I dreamt of fast jets and soaring above the clouds in formation. My brother and I would spend our holidays building complex cockpits between our beds, drawing each and every instrument using cockpit photos and magazine articles as guides. Sheets would form the roof, shoe boxes throttles, and old headphones as radios. We lived the fantasy, and for a few hours a day we were pilots - we were living the dream.

Unfortunately, the dream never turned into reality. But my love of aviation never died. My dreams of what it must have been like continue on, and my frustration at the state of old airfields and their deteriorating significance to our heritage, is stifled by the understanding of developmental needs and the continuing high maintenance costs they require.

I feel saddened by old aircraft rotting in farmer's fields, images of bone yards, vandalised airframes and aircraft discarded like unwanted pets in the rain. These are, in many cases, the reminders of what was the sacrifice of the many thousands of men and women who gave their lives in war time, flying over foreign lands, knowing that at any minute, their time may be up. They deserve more. They deserve better.

I have an envy of those who have given up their time to help preserve this heritage of this fantastic aviation country, I admire their dedication, their determination and above all, the fact they can sit in the cockpit of an aircraft and do what I dreamt of for so many years as a child. To them, I thank you.

I am not an expert; I do not pretend to be. I decided to write these trails based on my experiences, adding in links where I could. They are not conclusive, and factually may not be reliable. They have been created in my spare time when I have taken my self back to the ‘good old days’ and are purely to share my thoughts and experiences.

If you like them, great let me know, leave a message. So, why not join me on a nostalgic journey through the second world war and beyond. It's great to have you along.

Thank you.