Well, Friday was my 'day off'. By coincidence, Remembrance Day.
I'd prepared by downloading the airfield plans, and e-mailing Rattlesden Gliding Club for permission to photograph the Tower. Good news : they don't fly on Fridays, I could have the place to myself !
So, off early for the 100-mile drive to a very remote part of Suffolk.
Airfield signs
This is the view back to the old main entrance, with the Fire Section hut on the right. The old cottage on the right was the centuries-old 'Swan Inn', now a private house.
Main entrance
Gently up the track through the bushes, the view opens out onto the flying field and the unmistakeable shape of the Tower : -
Control Tower 3
Just as I take this picture, a small car appears and a weatherbeaten-looking man winds the window down to ask if he can help me. He turns out to be Mr Watts, the landowner, who is delighted by my interest. He's heavily involved with the 447th BG Association and we talk about the 8th AF for half-an-hour. He tries to preserve as much of the WWII parts of the site as he can and I thank him for this. He drives off, inviting me to photograph anything I want.
So - on to the Tower itself...
Tower 2
I realise it's nearly 11 o'clock, so climb the stairs to observe two minutes' silence here : -
Tower balcony
Thinking of the missions which must have been 'sweated out' by the ground staff on this very spot. The entire airfield is deserted, so I set off to view the main runway . 97 B-17s went MIA from this runway, never to come home.
Main Runway
And then, in a frivolous spirit maybe, did something I'd long wanted to do. A 1/72 diecast model of the 447 BG's famous
' Bit O'Lace ' returns home - the spinning propellers a bonus ; it was so windy !
Bit O'Lace 1
And here's a view of the runway from the other end, clearly showing the notorious 'dip in the middle' known to every 447th veteran : -
Main runway 2
Back in the bushes of the old Technical Site, the Fabric/Paint Store can still be seen : -
Fabric Shed
And a close-up of the Fire Hut, a classic 'Nissen' design....
Fire Hut
I then walk outside the airfield and along the lane to where the main accomodation and admin sites were located. Sadly, almost no trace remains where dozens of buildings once were. I walk up a track toward a lonely stand of trees. Invisible from the road - a building....
CO's Quarters
I check my plans very carefully, and there can be no mistake. This was the CO's Quarters ! I enter the building and the atmosphere is almost overpowering.
CO's fireplace
I almost expect Gregory Peck to march in from a scene in 'Twelve O'Clock High'...
CO's Door
if only I had a pocket time-machine, to hear some of the discussions and conversations which must have taken place in this building.
Time left to walk up the road and view the impressive memorial.
447 BG Memorial
And with darkness starting to fall, back on the road to London. I've had a truly absorbing day at Rattlesden. But - it's not over.
As usual, I am looking for relics during my visit. I didn't seem to find anything much this time, except a small plate of metal under some bushes. It's thick with mud, but it's made of thick alloy and has lots of holes, so it's most likely not agricultural. I put it in my pocket - you never know....
This morning I start washing the mud off under the tap.
Relic 1
Yes - some lettering starts to appear so I get to work with a stiff brush and some detergent.
Relic 2
Relic 3
The top left reads :
BOMBSIGHT FLARE GUN / ON / OFF
Top right :
INTERVALOMETER
Centre :
BOMBSIGHT SALVO / ON / OFF
I'm really thrilled - a great souvenir of my day ; a bona-fide relic of the 447th Bomb Group. A relic I shall always treasure !
[ 12. November 2005, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]
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