Former airmen from America attended a reunion at the Post House Hotel in London Road, Ipswich.  During their tour of the area, they visited the Control Tower Museum at Martlesham Heath to see the new exhibits.  The museum was opened this week.

The USAAF 356th Fighter Group flew from Martlesham after the Battle of Britain airfield was handed over to them when the Americans entered the war.

Gordon Kinsey, chairman of the Martlesham Aviation Society, said the visit had been well appreciated by the veterans and their families.  Click on the image below to see some of the Vets, the museum and a picture of MH when it was operational.

 

Museum Opening Ceremony

The museum opened on 23 September 2000

Guests from the UK...

• Air Marshall Sir Ivor and Lady Broom

• Air Marshall Sandy Johnston

• Lady Joan Bader

and representing the 356th Fighter Group of the USAAF based at M.H.(1943-45)

Guests from the USA...

• Maj Gen Donald J Strait (USA Fighter Ace) C.O. 361st Fighter Squadron

• Maj. Ed Malo 359th F.S. 

• Capt Robert Barnhart 360th F.S.

Ribbon cutting ceremony

The joint hono(u)r of cutting the ribbon fell to

• Cpl Tom Scrivener, R.A.F.

• M/Sgt Clifford Davis, U.S.A.F.

both of whom served at RAF Martlesham.