raydon airfield preservation society

Farewell Meal at the Rose and Crown, Colchester (353rd FG Archive), With the events now at an end, we can reflect that it really was a very successful visit. There were bomb stores and an ammunition dump on the north side of the airfield, the technical site was on the east side. the charity can fund. A Brief History of SX-C and SX-F of the 352nd FighterSquadron, 1st Lt. John W. Bishop, 351st FighterSquadron. The Pre-application enquiry form is a series of questions to see if your project Where we hold a names list for the The 1956 USGS topo map depicted the "Ruston After retiring from the Air Force, Jack worked with the Federal Aviation Agency in Spokane WA, and Boise, ID. 1956) RADMAC is affiliated to the British Model Flying Association and the club currently has a fixed membership of 65 members. Business Rates and Council Tax in CO7 6QD About the memorial: US Armed Forces Geographical Marker: : The memorial is on the site of the WW2 airfield. I remain available and contactable for any additional information about this aircraft.. Colonel Glenn E. Duncan of the 353rd Fighter Group A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 353rd Fighter Grroup http://wikimapia.org/18291131/Notley-Industrial-Park. As an academic historian, he specialises in American and Anglo-American military, diplomatic and political history. The map is limited to 3000 records per layer so not all records are being displayed for this area. To our new American friends we say safe journey and Haste ye back!. As the 353rd families arrived, John Anderson welcomed them personally and the Wattisham Military Wives Choir treated them to songs. side. He claimed one Me109 destroyed in the air and four Ju88s destroyed and one Ju88 damaged on the ground. Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Colorado: Northwestern the last remaining trace of Ruston Field, a former hangar. The airport property consisted of Capt McGraw told me to take the one on the left. I was recently contacted by Laurent Henrisson from Gaudreville, France. WebRaydon was primarily a fighter station for the Eighth and Ninth United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below. and several planes on the ramp of Ruston Field A spur was built into Raydon Wood on the northern perimeter of airfield. WebAbout. The second was taxiing accident by Ansel J. Wheeler of the 373rd Fighter Group at Le Culot (A-89) on December 10, 1944. Time passes quickly when you are having fun and it hardly seems as if the Last Hurrah for the 353rd Fighter Group can be over already. After making approximately eight passes on three t/e e/a, believed to be Ju88s, on the opposite side of the woods, these a/c failed to burn although I covered each with numerous strikes. He scored two ground claims on April 16, 1945 (1 Ju88 destroyed and 1 Me109 damaged). The crew chief on the Thunderbolts was S/Sgt Joseph F. Brandon, Assistant Crew Chief was S/Sgt Raymond A. Wierzgacz and the armourer was Cpl. Two small buildings were depicted along the west side With the end of military control Raydon was converted into Notley Industrial Park. Cheryl York showing the former Ruston Airport hangar, which remains this site was first put on the web in 1999, its popularity has grown It depicted Ruston Heights Airport as having a 3,900' Responsible for informing employees about departmental, facility and community activities and news Totally When the Squadron left the field these three a/c had not been destroyed. Second World War airfield, built 1942-3. HISTORIC STRUCTURE ASSESSMENT STATE HISTORICAL He also graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and Air War College. According to Cheryl York, "Mr. Raydon is one of the more complete Second World War USAAF airfield (bases) in East Anglia that was not used by the United States Air Force during the Cold War. A posthumous award was made to Lt. Keywan Lieutenant of the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf (DFC OLC) reported, As of 4/13/05 the Flight Deck Bar [the former Ruston According to Cheryl York, Between The planes, hidden with tree branches, were parked in the surrounding woods. He retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Colonel on March 6, 1980. The 358th was initially assigned to the 66th Fighter Wing, at Sawston Hall, Cambridge, then transferred to the Ninth Air Force on 1 February 1944 in exchange for the 357th FG. There is a nice colour photo of this aircraft available from the Jeff Ethel collection HERE though I have seen other versions of this photo but cannot establish who actually has the copyright. After the end of World War II, in September, the group left Raydon and transferred back to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey where it was inactivated on 18 October 1945.[1][2]. The highlight of the afternoon was, of course, the static and flying aircraft displays kindly arranged by Maurice Hammond of Hardwick Warbirds. Then it was back on the bus to visit the afternoon air show as guests of Mr John Anderson and family. | Cookie Policy, Copyright War Memorials Trust Registered Charity Number: 1062255 | Site by which remains standing on the east side of Federal Boulevard. grant enquiry, for further details please read our In the evening, there was a farewell dinner at the Rose and Crown for the families and local people. Lt. Bishop during basic training (S Bishop), Lt. Bishop with his old P-47. Note that this is clearly not YJ-E Patrica Baby and may well be another aircraft as he was not consistently flying YJ-E until the end of July, 1944 (S Bishop), Lt. Bishop outside his barrack hut at Raydon. If the This now seems unlikely to me as McCollom, it would appear, had given up the aircraft at some point in late October. unpaved runway. | Email Us | Terms & Conditions contact me at: paulandterryfreeman@gmail.com. contribution. This Mustang was long-serving as one of the original aircraft assigned to the Squadron. mailing address to send a check, please contact me at: An undated (circa 1945-50s?) along the west side of the field. A 2002 photo by Patrick Griffith of Ruston Field's The party then were able to have some free time to explore Colchesters sights and shops. ensure that it continues to be available & to grow. http://www.rootsweb.com/~coadams/forgottenpast_1/airport.html. store. A second building (70' x 31') total quantity of material on this site is to continue to grow. Since The 358th Fighter Group moved to High Halden in April 1944, when Raydon was handed back to the Eighth Air Force as the home of the 353rd Fighter Group, equipped with P-47s, which remained until October 1945. The Flight Deck Bar is still standing & is located on the @ 0.086 --> Keywords task start waiting In the evening Graham Cross, 353rd Fighter Group Historian, gave a presentation to the party on the history of the unit. Harry Ruston's idea for the Memorials Trust`s website. you enjoy the site, and would like to make a financial contribution. I request financial contributions from site visitors, to Ive been absent from the blogosphere for quite some time planning the forthcoming reunion and other 353rd history related endeavours aremy onlyexcuse. The buildings that remain are largely unaltered in appearance.Details in Wikipedia under RAF Raydon (copy in parish file).HBSMR mapping an approximation only - needs checking with contemporary AP coverage.A World War Two military airfield, opened in 1943 and closed in 1958. - The lounge of the Officers Club at Raydon air base. of the field. His plane ended up in a field 500 yards away without causing damage in the village. He has published four books on the history of the 353rd and the airfields at Metfield and Raydon. We made a climbing turn to the right to cut them off. For your sacrifice Richard: RIP (Rest In PEACE). Scott Bishop has been in touch with some further information and pictures from his stepfathers wartime album. Memorial. The crew for the Mustang period is unconfirmed and may have either changed entirely or in part. About | The Friendly Invasion He soon found himself outclassed by 50 Messerschmitt 109 German. Information provided by you to us will be used for the purpose of managing the being covered by houses. US Armed Forces Geographical Marker: : The memorial is on the site of the WW2 airfield. Aviation Trails. The first is an accident at the hands of Reavy H. Giles while landing at RAF Woodchurch on April 23, 1944. After McCollom, the aircraft then became the assigned aircraft of Lt. Gordon L. Willits, but there are few records indicating that he ever flew it operationally. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. flying. 97') used for major engine repairs. (S Bishop), A page from a map belonging to Lt. Bishop showing the location of Raydon (S Bishop), The Thunderbolt Theatre at Raydon (S Bishop), Left to right are Bishop, Stump, Milligan [looks like Maguire], Compton and Fuchs [Intelligence Officer] (S Bishop), Left to right are Rosen, Murray, Stump (with Capt. It had a single hangar (100' x site is not supported by commercial advertising . A/C 42-7904 P-47D-1-RE. RAYDON AIRFIELD Lt. Vogel was lost flying this aircraft January 11, 1944. Because of the congestion, my flight moved out to an auxiliary field nearby. Given their progress today, it's likely to be Raydon is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. Tap into Getty Images global-scale, data-driven insights and network of over 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. As Air Force Reservist 1940s he was assigned to a Troop Carrier Wing in 1951. On my second pass this Ju88 also burst into flames. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. It was depicted as having a 3,900' unpaved runway. Small arms fire opened up from adjacent barracks and a couple of Mustangs left the woods to work over the buildings until the enemy fire stopped. @ 0.123 --> GetKeywords: File obtained Post-service reception at St Marys Church, Raydon (353rd FG Archive), John Madson and Lou Rosatone talk at the book of remembrance at St. Marys Church, Raydon (353rd FG Archive), The 353rd Families at St Marys Church, Raydon (353rd FG Archive), Is this the same country? Communications. WebI used to cycle up to Raydon airfield and remember seeing a Thunderbolt fighter crash at Raydon wood. The Raydon Airfield Preservation Society (RAPS) founded in 1992 set about planning a memorial project with the landowner. After three years of hard work and fund raising they achieved their aim. He flew the Schweinfurt and first Berlin escort missions. WebHome of the Raydon and District Model Aircraft Club (est. The Peacock family, the Raydon Memorial Group and Raydon Parish Council then laid wreaths at the memorial. 1st Lt. John W. Bishop (0-663448) of Austin Texas and the 351st Fighter Squadron in July 1944 (S Bishop). @ 0.124 --> GetKeywords: Cached item - The lounge of the Officers Club at Raydon air base. The Weg may roughly translate as road or way in Dutch and German thus Immelmann Road/Way after the famous combat manoeuvre though this is entirely speculation on my part. Colonel Duncan directs three squadrons of 12 aircraft with an escort of eight P-47, 351FSand 352 FSon a mission bombing and strafing against enemy communications in the region of Evreux Dreux. A circa 2008 The moving ceremony included an Honour Guard of current serving USAF personnel from RAF Mildenhall and words from Glenn Duncan Jr (the son of the 353rds Commanding Officer), Revd Paul and Councillor Lowe. Raydon, Suffolk Polished black granite was the material of choice for many memorials erected in the 1990s. Memorial was constructed in May 1995 by the Raydon Airfield Preservation Society (RAPS) and dedicated in June 1995. you enjoy this web site, please support it with a financial There were Mustangs all over the place, making patterns from every possible angle. @ 0.125 --> Keywords task completed, 2023 agefotostock - stock photography agency. However, no airfield at this It took him 3 years to get Its looking like 2015 is set to be an exciting year for the 353rd Fighter Group and their friends and I look forward to seeing many of you in Raydon this coming August. Maguire and their father were great friends (353rd FG Archive). Event - Survey: Historic Building Recording - Technical Site of Raydon Airfield (ESF23164), guidance about the use of Suffolk Historic Environment Record data. Index: English Heritage. His element lead aborted as escort to the struggling aircraft hence Bishops note about two lost. depicted at all on the June 1963 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy center for Regis College & Denver University. Cheryl York reported on an Terms and Conditions http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1408576. His dry humor and engaging grin will be missed. Experts put the accident down to a This ensures others are aware that an Proceedings closed with a toast to the men of the 353rd Fighter Group. A highlight of the ceremony was the joint unveiling of the new information board by John Madson (350th Fighter Squadron) and Mr John Peacock. Sadly, the day had to end and a tired and contented group headed back to the hotel. Kennedy). Veteran To Veteran (Turning it Around) Community Organization. format. FROM THIS FORMER AIRFIELD, DURING WORLD WAR TWO, FIGHTER AIRCRAFT/ OF THE USAAF FLEW OPERATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE/ ALLIED VICTORY IN EUROPE/ 833RD AVIATION ENGINER BATTALION/ 862ND AVIATION ENGINEER BATTALION/ 357TH FIGHTER GROUP/ 358TH FIGHTER GROUP/ 353RD FIGHTER GROUP/ AND THEIR SUPPORT UNTIS/ SINCERELY DEDICATED TO THOSE SO FAR FROM HOME, WHO CAME TO HELP US/ IN OUR HOUR OF NEED/ 10TH JUNE 1995, War Memorials Online c/o War Memorials Trust, 14 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W On 13 April 1944 the 358th was transferred to RAF High Halden. Raydon Wings - Review of 2007 Gathering diagonal outline). Ruston Airport office building. The Rose Bowl is on the table in front of them (353rd FG Archive), The 353rd Families in the Mayors Parlour, Colchester (353rd FG Archive), The inscription from the 353rd and 55th Fighter Groups on the silver Rose Bowl (353rd FG Archive). you enjoy this web site, please support it with a financial Raydon He also leaves behind 5 great grandchildren. Privacy Policy Travel Company. Raydon History Museum. He was involved in the early Group experiments in using the P-47 as a dive-bomber earned the Air Medal with two clusters and the Purple Heart in missions between August and December 1943 with the 351st FS. your email when you Historic England, National Monument Record number TM 03 NE 28, Associated media provided by Pete Mangold, son of T/Sgt. The first American occupants of Raydon was the 357th Fighter Group, moving in from Casper AAF, Wyoming on 30 November 1943. He soon found himself outclassed by 50 Messerschmitt 109 German. The aircraft was then taken over Lt. Albert P. Lang who named the aircraft Eleanor and flew it on 25 missions between January, 1945 and the end of the war. After he returned from Europe, he married Emma Kaneg in 1944. Some of the details are also quite difficult to see so just click on the images for a larger view. 2018 by Paul Freeman. site covers airfields in all 50 states. Although never used as such, Raydon was built during 1942-43 as an Eighth Air Force bomber base, with three concrete runways, 50 loop and one pan hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. Sadly, I cannot make the trip due to a prior commitment. After our visit to the town hall, Ian McMeekin continued the tour around central Colchester and included a very welcome visit to Timperleys Tea Room. In Evreux, squads split up to attack specific targets: Sadly, due to the worsening weather, a trip to Metfield by some of the party had to be cancelled. It is with great sadness that I have to report that we have lost two original cadre pilot members of the 351st Fighter Squadron within days of each other. Raydon Here we were joined by the Peacock family (owners of the former airfield site), an Honour Guard from RAF Mildenhall, the Revd Rosalind Paul, Councillor Jim Lowe and other local representatives for a special service of remembrance. The heavens open as the 353rd Families explore the old briefing and ready room complex at Raydon (353rd FG Archive), John Madson back at Raydon after 70 years after the war he pursued a successful career as an architect (353rd FG Archive). Bob was one of the first group veterans I got to know and it was always a pleasure to meet with this lively, animated man at reunions in Raydon and the United States. This Aircraft of the 357th were P-47D "Thunderbolts". Handed over to the RAF in December 1945, the station closed in 1958 and mostly sold during 1960-62 for return to agriculture. After combat, he transferred to 27th Air Transport Group, Belfast, Ireland. 2 runways, with a hangar & a few smaller buildings on the west (S Bishop), Lt. Walter E. Murphy of Albany, IN and the 351st Fighter Squadron (S Bishop), Donna J (serial and code need checking) is thought to be the aircraft of Lt. Billy J. Murray who appears to be seated in the cockpit (S Bishop), The 351st Ready Room at Raydon (S Bishop), Heading to the planes from the briefing hut at Raydon (S Bishop), Lining up in the front in Fred Lefebres Willit Run? (S Bishop), Mustangs of the 351st FS take-off (S Bishop). Coming from the direction the boscherons Gaudreville Richard bailed out, but too low. Airport was on the June 1960 Denver Sectional Chart. When the 353rd Fighter Group were stationed there, it was known as "The Auger Inn". All rights reserved. Bob Hahn joined the 351st Squadron in the autumn of 1944 and flew his first mission on November 10 of that year. Lt Col. Loren Mac McCollom took it as his personal aircraft and named it Butch II for his wife. The 353d flew combat missions until the end of April 1945. Lt. Stanley S. Petticrew Jr., 351st Fighter Squadron, January 20, 1922 January 21,2015. If at the end of the Evaluation Period you do not contract a license for its use, you must stop using the image and destroy / delete any copy of it. In the meantime, thank you for all your comments and support with the blog over the last year and I send my best wishes to you for the holidays and New Year. The guns were not place to fire head on or down, so we flew under the flak and put some emplacements out of business by firing into them head on. raydonairfield photos on Flickr | Flickr WebRaydon airfield preservation society building, Raydon, Suffolk, England. His plane ended up in a field 500 yards away without causing damage in the village. The 353rdmade a special friendship with the people of Colchester during World War II so we spent Friday August 22 touring the town. McColloms diary for the time recorded that shes a little rough Im afraid on September 7, 1943 and then Butch II is still a little rough and not as fast as Butch on the following day. There are no SX-F bars recorded as flying with the Squadron. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, Air Medal and three clusters. 4:34 pm, June 12, 1944, off the resort 157 Raydon (Suffolk UK). Raydon Airfield | War Imperial War Museums WebThe Raydon Airfield Preservation Society (RAPS) formed in 1993 with the idea of bringing together local enthusiasts with an interest, in Raydon's wartime connection to the USAAF. blue NAPA auto parts store. The outline of the airfield can clearly be seen on google Please be aware that a summary of your enquiry, without your contact details, Sectional Chart. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Located around two miles south-east of Hadleigh, it is part of Babergh district. WebMetfield was built as a standard, Class-A bomber design airfield, consisting of three intersecting concrete runways, fifty dispersal points and two T-2 type hangars. Members of the 353rd families helped place the wreaths (Glenn Duncan Jr with Mr Tom Peacock, Gary Bargerhuff with Cllr Jim Lowe, and Lou Rosatone with Bob Gooding).

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