USAAF at Horton Airfield Plaque
Details:
Inside the church beside a window. It is placed on the left-hand side below the wooden war memorial board for the local men.
A simple rectangular brass plaque attached to a wooden back board commemorating all USAAF men who served at RAF Holton (also known as RAF Halesworth) during World War II. The plaque is printed with English text and a depiction of the 8th Air Force on the center.
The building of Holton Airfield was completed in July 1943. During World War II it was used as an American fighter and bomber base. From July 1943 to April 1944 it was home to 56th Fighter Group, flying P47 Thunderbolts. From April to November 1944 Holton was a bomber base with 489th Bomb Group Flying B24 Liberators. In January 1945 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron arrived flying modified P47's, PBY5A Catalinas and a B-17G Flying Fortress, they were based at Holton until May. From February to June 1945 the base was home to 496th Fighter Training Group flying P51 Mustangs.
Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, wartimememoriesproject.com
Source of photo: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, Google Maps.
Monument Text:
IN MEMORY OF ALL THE
AMERICANS WHO SERVED IN
THE CAUSE OF DUTY FLYING
FROM THE RUNWAYS OF
HOLTON AIRFIELD
Commemorates:
Units:
489th Bomber Group (Heavy)
56th Fighter Group
5th Emergency Rescue Squadron
8th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :