On the opposite side of the 94th Bombardment Group monument.

A rectangular metal plaque mounted onto an angled top of a stone pillar commemorating the arrival of the USAAF in England in World War II. The plaque is inscribed in English in raised lettering.

During the Second World War, the East of England became home to hundreds of US airmen. They began arriving in 1942, with many existing RAF (Royal Air Force) airfields made available to the USAAF (United States Army Air Force). By 1943 there were over 100,000 US airmen based in Britain. The largest concentration was in the East of England, where most of the 8th Air Force and some of the 9th were located on near a hundred bases. The 8th Air Force was the largest air striking force ever committed to battle, with the first units arriving in May 1942. The 9th Air Force was re-formed in England in October 1943 - it was the

the operator of the most formidable troop-carrying force ever assembled.

The aircraft of the USAAF were the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator - used by the Bombardment Groups (BG); and the P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning, and P-47 Thunderbolt - used by the Fighter

Groups (FG). With the end of the Second World War, the RAF and USAAF were once again reduced to a peace-time level, and many of the wartime sites were closed down, leaving the more permanent pre-war airfields to be developed for the post-war air force. Today visitors can discover many of the old airfields - which have found new uses or have been returned to agricultural land.

Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, thedms.co.uk

Source of photos: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, Google Maps

RETURN TO

ENGLAND

1942 – 1992

This plaque was unveiled by

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary

Of the arrival in England of the

United States Army Air Forces

10th May 1992