In pictures: US Air Force at Duxford 70th anniversary photos
- Published
Photographs of the 78th Fighter Group of the US Eighth Air Force serving at RAF Duxford in Cambridgeshire during World War II, are on show at Imperial War Museum Duxford.
The photographs on show are a selection from Essex military historian Roger Freeman's collection of over 15,000 images of the US Army Air Forces during the war, which has recently been acquired by the museum. Mr Freeman died in 2005.
The exhibition was timed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the squadron's first combat mission out of Duxford on 13 April 1943.
Tech Sgt Francis Scott Kee (1914-1980) packed away parachutes at Duxford. Being in charge of the parachute section meant he was partly responsible for ensuring fighter pilots would survive when they were forced to bail out. Each parachute had its own logbook detailing its service history.
The US and UK authorities were keen to foster good relations between servicemen and British hosts. Bases often held Christmas parties and tours for local children. Somewhere in England: Portraits of Americans in Britain 1942-45 is open at Imperial War Museum Duxford until 31 December.
- Published31 March 2013
- Published13 March 2013
- Published3 March 2013