Lawson Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 "Polebrook" 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy) Station 110 ..group tail code was a "Triangle J" operational squadrons were.. 508th Bomb Squadron (YB) 509th Bomb Squadron (RQ) 510th Bomb Squadron (TU) 511th Bomb Squadron (DS) The raf first used polebrook between 1941 - 1942 with one of the first units to arive 90 Squadron.. the raf which carried out operational trials from June 1941 to February 1942 and was equipped with the B-17C called the "Fortress 1" the B-17C was not seen as being combat ready but the RAF was sufficiently desperate in 1941 that these planes were immediately pressed into front-line service...the "e" version was already in prodution.. On June 28, 1942, RAF Polebrook was officially turned over to the USAAF with the 97th Bombardment Group moving in...On April 15, 1943, the 351st Bomb Group arrived at Polebrook. It was assigned to the 94th Combat Wing... Polebrook is like a time warp with half the airfield being on a prviate estate which is now a butterfly sanctuary...and its here that alot of the origianl lanes and building are still left ... its almost like the war ended the lights where turned out and everyone went home...And the vegetation took over ...I had a really nice time at polebrook i met an american couple and there children at polebrook.. his father flew from there and it was his first time to visit the airfield..I took so many pictures at polebrook but the best way to see polebrook as it was in operational use by the USAAF and in full colour is to get hold of a copy of "Combat America" which was filmed by clarke gable.....Although he was beyond the draft age at the time the U.S. entered WW II, Clark Gable enlisted as a private in the AAF on Aug. 12, 1942 at Los Angeles. He attended the Officers' Candidate School at Miami Beach, Fla. and graduated as a second lieutenant on Oct. 28, 1942. He then attended aerial gunnery school and in Feb. 1943, on personal orders from Gen. Arnold, went to England to make a motion picture of aerial gunners in action. He was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook and although neither ordered nor expected to do so, flew operational missions over Europe in B-17s to obtain the combat film footage he believed was required for producing the movie entitled "Combat America." Gable was admired by the men of the 351st because “he had guts.” NOTE: After the death of his wife, Clark Gable enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a 41-year-old lowly private (though a private that had his uniforms tailored by the MGM costume department). During his tour of duty, Gable filmed German military installations for U.S. Army Intelligence, which led field marshal Hermann Goering to put a price on his head. It was never collected. "Combat America" is great watch and you can see polebrook in colour and in full operational use... Here are just some the pictures i took at polebrook.. http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture013.jpg[/img] This is bomber command [img ]http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture026-1.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture027.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture030.jpg[/img] These are pictures painted on the wall by the airmen as a back drop to where the band played in the mess hall...You can imagaine the band playing in front of this wall with airmen drinking and dancing and having fun after surviving yet another mission... http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/DSC01771sized.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/DSC01772sized.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/DSC01773sized.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/DSC01774sized.jpg[/img] An old bomb shelter http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture048.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture049.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture050.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture055.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture056.jpg[/img] Some old buildings and the over grown lanes.. http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture076.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture067.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture065.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture059.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture057.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture086.jpg[/img] The American couple and there children i met.. http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/Picture041.jpg[/img] Major Clark Gable http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/pp-gable3.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/351_15.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/351_4.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/351_11.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/351_12.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/berlin1.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/351_8.jpg[/img] http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/Lawson67/wreckB17.jpg[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Guess the best part is that its been saved up till now , But hope someday the people will allow others to preserve the site and still have their butterfly sanctuary. Hadn't heard of the Bench given in Jimmy Stewart's name , a nice memorial . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 superb stuff.. again thanks for posting the pictures There's something very moving about abandoned airfields... so much effort and activity, and yet fallen silent and dissapearing under the brambles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawson Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Abn....Jimmy Stewart was the first Hollywood celeb to enter the service for World War II. Though initially refused entry into the air force because he was underweight, Stewart talked the recruitment officer into admitting him. He would fly 20 combat missions as a B-24 Pilot in Europe and command a squadron, eventually earning the rank of colonel, as well as the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Croix de Guerre and seven battle stars. After the war, Stewart continued in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and became a brigadier general, the highest-ranking entertainer in the American military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 blimey, do you ever work? Your list shows why all the 1950's war films are so good, the actors had been there done it and had the scars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawson Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 blimey, do you ever work? Your list shows why all the 1950's war films are so good, the actors had been there done it and had the scars. The customer gets 3 hours to tip a 40ft container...If they do it quicker than that the rest of the time is mine to play.... :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Great history lesson, Lawson. :-D Many Thanks, keep up the good work. All the best Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 The customer gets 3 hours to tip a 40ft container...If they do it quicker than that the rest of the time is mine to play.... :whistle: LIKE IT, wish I could dump all miy load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 thats correct and why I had suggested a thread on hollywood hero's vs Real Hero's. There were many that did serve in the war and returned to Hollywood to be in Movies again . I m sure there is a list somewhere , I see what I can find here's the link to the list of actors who served in WW2 http://www.jodavidsmeyer.com/combat/military/actors_in_wwii.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 abn, the memorial is not to Jimmy Stewart the actor, same name, different person. Incidentally there is a good biography of Jimmy Stewart by Starr Smith who served with him in England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawson Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Degsy is right the bench is not a memorial to jimmy stewart the actor ....as jimmy stewart the actor flew a B-24 Liberator with the 445th bomb Group where he commanded the 703rd Bombardment squadron which was based at Tibenham... Norfolk.....and later he was transferred as Group Operations Officer to the 453rd Bombardment Group...old buckenham norfolk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 LIKE IT, wish I could dump all miy load. eat a bowl of prunes svery morning, then. :naughty: :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Again, fantastic stuff! :tup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Again, fantastic stuff! :tup: Totally Agree............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawson Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 Thankyou guys i am glad everyone has enjoyed them...You know its amazing how much history there is all around us..and before i started to research the 8th USAAF in the uk i use to drive by these little villages all the time...Totally unaware of what such an important parts they had played all of our lives...And to go there now and stand in a open field on what was once a runway with nothing but the wind in your ears is quite Awe-inspiring.. As once these villages... and now empty fields where home to hundreds of brave men and a hive of activity with bombers taxing for take off..crews working on planes thought out the night getting them ready for the next morning missions ...fuel trucks refuling..airmen praying for theres and that of there friends safe return...its almost unbelievable when you are there to think that all of this was going on and that lives where being lost daily for the freedom that we all enjoy and that some take for granted today..To me there no better place to take time and to refect on how much we all owe these men not just airmen..but soilder and saliors alike than on an old abandoned airfield with the just the wind in your ears..and these post are just my part and my way of preserving and honouring those brave mens memories. I will post some more soon but i will be away again for the week as of tommorrow...and i been getting things sorted at this end for that today.... Thanks Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 You know these photos are now a historic resource? Those paintings are degenerating, if they were Egyptian or Medieval there would be outrage at there destruction. They are historically important social comment. Keep copies and good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 You know these photos are now a historic resource? Those paintings are degenerating, if they were Egyptian or Medieval there would be outrage at there destruction. They are historically important social comment. Keep copies and good work. Isn't there a body that is charged with these items, upkeep ?? English Heritage, maybe's........ :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Isn't there a body that is charged with these items, upkeep ?? English Heritage, maybe's........ :dunno: STRICTLY no comment!! There doesn't seem to be any official body who cares about such thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 STRICTLY no comment!! There doesn't seem to be any official body who cares about such thing. :whistle: sounds about right,.....then. :whistle: :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawson Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 You know these photos are now a historic resource? Those paintings are degenerating, if they were Egyptian or Medieval there would be outrage at there destruction. They are historically important social comment. Keep copies and good work. I totally agree tony...That old building which was once the mess hall is used by the farmer now on the estate for hay bail storage... i had to with his permission move about 20 bails of hay to get those pictures....Its a shame such great works of art and apart of history is allowed to detereate in such a way....As you rightly say if they were Egyptian or Medieval there would be an outrage....However as with many old airfields the land was commandeered by the raf and built on...And after the war it was returned handed back to the estates from which it was taken.... I do wonder how much longer those marvelous paintings will last... :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Great threads - Have very much enjoyed all four and certainly learnt a lot from them. James Stewart's middle initial was M. (James Maitland Stewart) and indeed, he seved about 6 miles from here at Tibenham, Norfolk and Old Buck - both airfields of which still have flying activities today. When I was staying in LA in 1998 with a B-17 Pilot from the 91st Bomb Group, who originally flew from Basingbourn, Cambs, with his local knowledge we tracked down Jimmy Stewart's house in Hollywood. Unfortunately he had died only a few months beforehand, but I still wanted to see where this gentle giant had lived. I had hoped at one point that I was going to meet him because he was instrumental in the publcising and fund-raising for the American Air Museum project at Duxford and was fully backing the enterprise. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly before the museum was due to be dedicated and knowing of his deteriation in health, passed the mantle to his fellow Hollywood pal and one time member of the USAAF, Charlton Heston. Therefore on a very wet day in the Autumn of 1997, the Queen and Charlton Heston unveiled the American Air Museum in Britain at Duxford. Somehow, I managed to get myself in on the act and accompanied the Veterans of the 91st Bomb Group at this ceremony. I met Charlton Heston and shook him by the hand, and when the Veteran I was with said to him "I bet your glad to be back from the Aleutians" Charlton Heston replied "Your Darn Right There!" The Aleutians Islands, spreading from Alaska to Asia and forming a border with the North Pacific and South Baring Sea, was not the best of postings for an American Serviceman in WWII - The sheer inhostility and cold temperatures made it a bitterly resented posting! Great memories and a great thread ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Clive - is it true that the USAAF made all crew members 'offices' as the Germans would treat officers a lot better if they were captured? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Not heard that one before Jack. An average 10 man Heavy Bomber crew was made up of 4 officers in the front of the B-17 or B-24 (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator) and 6 enlisted men (Sgt's) taking on the roles of (Flight Engineeer/Top Turrett Gunner, Radio Operator, Ball Turrett Gunner, Right Waist Gunner, Left Waist Gunner, Tail Gunner) although alterations to this did take place as time frames changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 They made Sgt the lowest rank in the airplanes because they knew the Germans treated Sgts better then privates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazz Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 They made all "Other Ranks" Sgts, as according to the Geneva Convention all ranks under Sgt could be made to do work, and senior NCO's and Offs didn't have to. Good book on this subject is Hitlers British Slaves. Baz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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