Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 For those not in Normandy for the anniversary, and for those with an interest in aviation, Debach Airfield was the next best place and a very appropriate place to be. The 493rd Bomb Group based at Debach, was the last heavy bomber Group to be activated in the 8th Air Force, flying their historic first mission on D-Day. Bodge and myself, plus a few others arrived on Friday, although the 40's hangar dance wasn't until Saturday night, and the museum open day on Sunday. But if you are going to travel a 600 mile round trip, you might as well make a weekend of it, especially if the forecast is for heavy rain all weekend! Before I go any further, a big thanks to Richard Taylor and the volunteers at the museum for making it happen, and also to Adrian Barrell for taking myself and a couple of my model flying friends for a ride in the Sherman, but especially for taking the huge risk in letting Bodge climb back on the tank. I did notice Adrian twitch as Bodge hauled himself up, but this time Bodge didn't give him a good kicking! Anyway, I've got some photos and video to post, not all of which I've sorted yet, but here's a start! Click the picture for the video Another video! Click the picture. and another video. Click the picture. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Early on the morning of June 6th at Debach, Sgt Fox heads to the tower in a Jeep. Sgt Fox, carring a box containing a flare gun and flares, and an unknown officer head to the tower at Debach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 The flare gun and flares are unpacked, before the pair head up the outer steps to the tower roof. Sgt Fox waits for the second hand to hit the mark before firing the flare to start the mission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 The pair then head to collect the Flying Control Caravan parked near by. A quick check of a weld that cracked last time out, and all seems to be well. The officer disappears into the HQ Admin building while T/Sgt Carr comes to give Sgt Fox a hand getting the trailer to the active runway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Absolutely! A wonderful weekend in great company... a superb run round the perry track in Adrians Sherman, a blast in the museums WC62, a crackin' hangar dance, fantastic museum staffed by genuine enthusiasts... crud weather but hey... historically accurate weather anyway so they even got that right...top stuff! Apologies to Adrian if i stretched the co-drivers hatch getting in... I closed it when i got out but the lid fell into the tank... sorry bout that! *ahem* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Sgt Fox then heads off to the active runway while towing the trailer, passing the base hospital on the way. Once parked next to the runway, the radios are warmed up to monitor operations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Once the aircraft have set off, time for a quick coffee, leaving the control caravan empty for a better view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Later in the day, the duo seem to have made it over to the bomb dump. Not sure if they are avoiding duties for a while or have some free time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Later in the day, the weather turns sooner than expected and the field is closed in with heavy rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Not long before the bombers are due to return, the sky begins to clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 After the first mission is over, there's a small party! Just a few of the many pictures I took. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Absolutely! Apologies to Adrian if i stretched the co-drivers hatch getting in... I closed it when i got out but the lid fell into the tank... sorry bout that! *ahem* I had assumed the hatch had shrunk in all the rain.... Seems to be ok now but I might have to fit a more powerful spring in the seat to help egress! Mind you, I seem to need one my side now too :coffee: Good to see you all again, glad you had a good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Marriott Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Cheers for all making the long trip south, especially when the weather normally gets hotter the further south you go!! As you say next best thing to Normandy and most of us in Suffolk still speak a version of the Queens English, rather than that funny foreign language. Pleased you all had a good time and long may the event continue. Next year i feel a complete groundcrew setup awaiting the bombers return, as well as your excellant control caravan diorama and maybe if Richard paints the Bofors a flak site as well!!! Maybe a Clark tractor could be finished for next year and pull the bombs around with Bodge on top. Then again would need to check the drawbar pull with the extra load!!! Thanks must also go to Adrian for churning up the grass! Thans to you all once again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Great to "see" whats going on over there , The buildings look like they are being taken care of and with the period equipment it really add to the feel of the place. I hope they will be able to increase the interest in the facility and grow the interest in it. Would the flight control caravan have had a stove or would the service personal just have dressed accordingly back in the day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon8910 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Made a point of visiting the event on Sunday whilst I was in the area, well worth going once again, despite a drop of rain or two early on, which gave all the vehicles that just washed look for the camera! A good mix of vehicles, friendly owners and informative museum volunteers; and at long last, got to see (and ride in) Adrian’s Sherman, so I left a happy chappy. Thanks to all, got a date for next year yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Bodge Deep, Can't you drive that Sherman Tank up to Operation Home Guard Ingleton N/Yorks it's not that far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 (edited) To drive it there and back would probably only be about £2400 in fuel! What's the cheapest low loader you can find?! Steve Edited June 10, 2009 by Jessie The Jeep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 We had our own totty at Normandy :-D :yay: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Marriott Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Just to let you all know unfortunately one of the veterans who attended the Debach dance and openday passed away on Monday 8th June. Coleman Duncan who was an original member of 493rd BG and flew into Debach on 10th May 1944 and flew the first three missions and was shot down on his third mission, having only spent four weeks at Debach and never left the base. Our thoughts are with his surviving family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Very sad, all the best to his family. The museum is a superb tribute to the men who served there, and they certainly seemed to appreciate the efforts you all went to, well done... It must mean a lot to them to see their contributions (rightly) honoured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 God Bless Him. MB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I m sure he had a wonderful time at the get together one last time , if there had to be an end better after than just before . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted June 16, 2009 Author Share Posted June 16, 2009 Nice that he eventually made it 'Home'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted May 26, 2010 Author Share Posted May 26, 2010 Debach Airfield open day is on again on June 6th. Other than the usual rebels who attend, is anyone else going this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.