Journalist and author chris wadsworth collaborates with matt johnson, manager and historian at the southwest florida museum of history, to take readers on a trip back in time, as the proud history of buckingham army air field comes alive through vivid photographs and the stories of the soldiers and civilians who once called buckingham home. Major ladoux tried to assist the crew to land their bomber at raf polebrook. Polebrook station 110 aircraft, airfields and airshows. See all books memories of polebrook lodge read and share your memories of polebrook lodge itself or of a particular photo of polebrook lodge. Ludford magna airfield focus pamphlet includes 41 photos and 2 maps. At polebrook, the rothchild country estate in northhampshire, the 351st base unit was to be comprised of the 508th, 509th, 510th and 511th squadrons. Lincolnshires haunted airfields mj wayland ghost historian.
Each airfield is described with a short history, firstperson accounts, and information on airfield buildings, illustrated with photographs and maps, making this book a complete and unique singlevolume illustrated reference book covering all of the rafs frontline airfields in the uk during world war 2. Hi all it may be of interest to see a list of airfield related aviation books published during 2003. Airfield warehousing ltd, registered as a limited company in england and wales under company number. Betty has lived part of each year with one of her three aunts, rotating among them every few months. Airfield warehousing ltd polebrook, polebrook airfield. Polebrook airfield, memorial car park, northamptonshire.
Polebrook airfields of britain conservation trust uk. Proceeds benefit the 351st bomb group memorial association. The 351st bomb group at polebrook, april 1943 may 1945. Lincolnshires haunted airfields october 15, 2016 february 16, 2019 mj wayland haunted airfield, weird world war a faint throb of a lancaster returning in the morning mist, a light flickers in a disused control tower and a roar of laughter comes from the derelict pilots quarters. Part group history, part travelogue, bowmans book offers an interesting capsule history of famous b17 units and the bases they are forever linked with. I also include a short list of similar proposed books to be published in 2004. The series includes at least one cartographically drawn map and a datafile that describes all known units, including their codes, that used a particular airfield. This website is run entirely as a hobby and in my spare time, it is paid for out of my own pocket. Many of the 8th air force groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in europe but before. Over 200 airfields were occupied or newlybuilt by the usaaf. Include a photo containing, at minimum, the monument and your gpsr. Six weeks after kegelmans raid, the eighth air force launched its first heavy bomber mission. Smallest tablet is set into the ground a short distance in front of pyramid memorial. We also publish books on a wide variety of subjects to help you understand, value, care for and enjoy your historic environment.
Polebrook, a village, a parish, and a hundred, in northampton. Most of the books are authored by 351st veterans who share accounts of life at polebrook airfield and their wartime experiences. They also feature, alongside many others, in iwms new book somewhere in england. Back in 1984 we went to visit it, and i took a picture of him there with a monument to his former bomber triangle, but he did all the research for that trip, and he is since deceased. Royal air force station polebrook or more simply raf polebrook is a former royal air force station located 3. It was from polebrook that the united states army air forces eighth air force carried out its first heavy bomb group b17 combat mission on august 17, 1942, and from which major clark gable flew combat missions in. The farms were mainly centred on the modern day village of ashton. The units stayed at the airfield until 1947 after which time polebrook became a satellite of raf upwood.
There is evidence that polebrook as a settlement dates back to 400 bc, where the village consisted of mainly farms. An established author, he also lectures on raf history. Providing secure commercial storage in polebrook, oundle. Ltd, it had short runways which were lengthened for usaaf heavy bomber use. Clark gable at the waist gun position of his flying fortress on raf polebrook airfield, northamptonshire, uk, june 1943. Corby town,railway station,the old clay holes and site of the old black hills. Polebrook wwii airfield information peterborough message. This summer month, shes in texas with her aunt clo and uncle grif. Polebrook is called pochebroc in the domesday book, and was the centre of a large. Watch office with met section 51840, later circular addition to roof.
A smaller tablet, bearing a map of the former airfield, is set into the ground a few yards to the. The population including armston at the 2011 census was 478 history. Rafusaaf polebrook, northamptonshire raf polebrook is a former world war ii airfield located 3. Grif has just landed a flight control job as did bettys dad who sends air mail. Since passing his gft for a private pilots license on the 30th june. As a small established company with a great reputation we can provide you with a professional and friendly service. Uk airfield guide a guide to the history of british. Polebrook is a village in northamptonshire, england. Rafusaaf polebrook, northamptonshire derelict places. Polebrook airfield, polebrook, oundle, peterborough, pe8 5ly.
First raid for the mighty eighth warfare history network. Dispatched to polebrook, northamptonshire with a film crew of five in april 1943. It was from polebrook that the united states army air forces eighth air force carried out its first heavy bomb group boeing b. This series of books provides a fresh userfriendly look at the military airfields of the british isles. Books about polebrook lodge area browse 34 photo books on polebrook lodge and the surrounding area. Royal air force station polebrook or more simply raf polebrook is a former royal air. A b17 flying fortress serial number 42107124 of the 351st bomb group flies over polebrook. There are a few sights more unsettling than that of an abandoned airfield or a hangar after dark, places that were often subject to events of considerable historic trauma or sadness. Spacious warehousing in polebrook, oundle with airfield. Please let me know if i have missed any out, as i keep a substantial database of these nearly 3000 listings i have only listed airfield related aviation books, but i am sure there are many other aviation books available. In may 1942 the usaaf 97th bg arrived with b17s, flying the first 8th air force heavy bomber mission to rouen marshalling yards on 17th aug 1942. Polebrook airfield polebrook, northamptonshire united kingdom pe8 5ln commemoration.
Polebrook wwii airfield information peterborough forum. The 97th bomb group used polebrook first, before the 351st bomb group moved to the airfield in the spring of 1943. The parish contains also the hamlet of armston, and is in oundle district. With aircrew and support personnel the station had. The airfield was declared inactive in october 1948. Polebrook memorial polebrook, northamptonshire, uk. American airmen in britain during the second world war imperial. Main memorial formed by a large rectangular plinth surmounted by a pyramid. The airfield was built on rothschild estate land starting in august 1940. Airfield, by jeanette ingold takes place in muddy springs, texas during times of the depression.
Here are 5 of the uks most supernaturally active airfields. Since passing his gft for a private pilots license on the 30th june 1989 in the cessna 152 gwacb at wycombe air park the gates of opportunity opened and he has, for example, flown an aircraft in every country in western europe registered in each country. Polebrook wwii airfield oundle message board tripadvisor. It was from polebrook that the united states army air forces eighth. Airfields of the eighth then and now after the battle. Since childhood he has been fascinated by all aspects of aviation history. A glazed cabinet containing a visitors book stands nearby. History of polebrook in east northamptonshire map and. My father was stationed in england at polebrook during wwii, and i would like to visit his airfield with my children. Captain clark gable in his war time capacity as captain of.
Back in 1984 we went to visit it, and i took a picture of him there with a monument to his former bomber triangle, but. In december 1959 a thor missile site was established at polebrook with the unit staying until august 1963. Should you wish to leave a small donation towards the upkeep and ongoing running of the website, it is really appreciated. Truemper and ssgt mathies, being escorted by major elzia ladoux, commanding officer 509th bombardment squadron, aboard my princess. Approx 24 pages, photos, history, plans, softback with stapled binding. Our warehouse storage site is steeped in history, based on a former world war ii air base located 3. The raf used the base for operational trials including of b17 flying. Valor at polebrook, by david poole, depicts the b17g flying fortress, ten horsepower, flown by 2lt walter e. The book was expanded and reprinted in 2008 as the 351st bomb group the duty to. Captain clark gable in his war time capacity as captain of gunnery at an american bomber station somewhere in britain. Buckingham army air field local and regional history books. Wed prefer a photo containing you at the monument, but we.