Memorial day in Cambridge UK

[Keith Willshaw]

Around 1500 people attended this years ceremony held at the Cambridge
American Military Cemetery on Monday and more than 118 associations laid
wreaths at the beautiful plot on Madingley Road which was gifted to the US
by the grateful people and Colleges of Cambridge.

Approx 4000 US servicemen of WW2 are buied there and there's a memorial wall
holding the names of 5000 missing in action
The RAF Lakenheath Honour Guard rendered a 21-gun salute and the Joint
Analysis Center, RAF Molesworth Honour Guard presented the colours.

Music for the occasion was performed by the US Air Forces in Europe concert
band and the 49th Fighter Squadron from Lakenheath performed a formation
fly-by with its F-15E Strike Eagle jets.

There was also a flypast by the Duxford-based American Flying Fortress
bomber, the Sally B, with an American P-51 Mustang and Spitfire escort.

RIP gentlemen some of us still recall your sacrifice.

Keith




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[ArtKramr]

>Subject: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>From: "Keith Willshaw"
>Date: 6/1/04 8:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Around 1500 people attended this years ceremony held at the Cambridge
>American Military Cemetery on Monday and more than 118 associations laid
>wreaths at the beautiful plot on Madingley Road which was gifted to the US
>by the grateful people and Colleges of Cambridge.
>
>Approx 4000 US servicemen of WW2 are buied there and there's a memorial wall
>holding the names of 5000 missing in action
>The RAF Lakenheath Honour Guard rendered a 21-gun salute and the Joint
>Analysis Center, RAF Molesworth Honour Guard presented the colours.
>
>Music for the occasion was performed by the US Air Forces in Europe concert
>band and the 49th Fighter Squadron from Lakenheath performed a formation
>fly-by with its F-15E Strike Eagle jets.
>
>There was also a flypast by the Duxford-based American Flying Fortress
>bomber, the Sally B, with an American P-51 Mustang and Spitfire escort.
>
>RIP gentlemen some of us still recall your sacrifice.
>
>Keith
>
>
>

Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Keith Willshaw" > wrote in message
...
>
> Music for the occasion was performed by the US Air Forces in
> Europe concert band and the 49th Fighter Squadron from
> Lakenheath performed a formation fly-by with its F-15E Strike
> Eagle jets.
>

I believe you dropped a number there. That should probably be 494th Fighter
Squadron.

[Keith Willshaw]

"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
> >Date: 6/1/04 8:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time
> >Message-id: >
> >
> >Around 1500 people attended this years ceremony held at the Cambridge
> >American Military Cemetery on Monday and more than 118 associations laid
> >wreaths at the beautiful plot on Madingley Road which was gifted to the
US
> >by the grateful people and Colleges of Cambridge.
> >
> >Approx 4000 US servicemen of WW2 are buied there and there's a memorial
wall
> >holding the names of 5000 missing in action
> >The RAF Lakenheath Honour Guard rendered a 21-gun salute and the Joint
> >Analysis Center, RAF Molesworth Honour Guard presented the colours.
> >
> >Music for the occasion was performed by the US Air Forces in Europe
concert
> >band and the 49th Fighter Squadron from Lakenheath performed a formation
> >fly-by with its F-15E Strike Eagle jets.
> >
> >There was also a flypast by the Duxford-based American Flying Fortress
> >bomber, the Sally B, with an American P-51 Mustang and Spitfire escort.
> >
> >RIP gentlemen some of us still recall your sacrifice.
> >
> >Keith
> >
> >
> >
>
> Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
>

I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
now a major commercial airport.

Keith




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[ArtKramr]

>Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>From: "Keith Willshaw"

> Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
>>
>
>I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
>now a major commercial airport.
>

Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway and
threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now a major
commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness on that
ol' cowpasture. (grin)


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

[Brian Colwell]

"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
>
> > Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
> >>
> >
> >I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
> >now a major commercial airport.
> >
>
> Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway
and
> threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now a
major
> commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness on
that
> ol' cowpasture. (grin)
>
>
> Arthur Kramer
> 344th BG 494th BS
> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
> Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
> http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

Art,
They now move approx. 200 million passengers a year and it is the 4th
busiest aiport in the UK...see what you started :-))

Regards, BMC

[ArtKramr]

>Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>From: "Brian Colwell"
>Date: 6/1/04 2:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <5%6vc.640170$oR5.170110@pd7tw3no>
>
>
>"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
>> >Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
>>
>> > Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
>> >>
>> >
>> >I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
>> >now a major commercial airport.
>> >
>>
>> Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway
>and
>> threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now a
>major
>> commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness on
>that
>> ol' cowpasture. (grin)
>>
>>
>> Arthur Kramer
>> 344th BG 494th BS
>> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
>> Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
>> http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
>
>Art,
> They now move approx. 200 million passengers a year and it is the 4th
>busiest aiport in the UK...see what you started :-))
>
>Regards, BMC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

[ArtKramr]

>ubject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>From: "Brian Colwell"
>Date: 6/1/04 2:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <5%6vc.640170$oR5.170110@pd7tw3no>
>
>
>"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
>> >Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
>>
>> > Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
>> >>
>> >
>> >I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
>> >now a major commercial airport.
>> >
>>
>> Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway
>and
>> threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now a
>major
>> commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness on
>that
>> ol' cowpasture. (grin)
>>
>>
>> Arthur Kramer
>> 344th BG 494th BS
>> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
>> Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
>> http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
>
>Art,
> They now move approx. 200 million passengers a year and it is the 4th
>busiest aiport in the UK...see what you started :-))
>
>Regards, BMC
>
>


Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of shacks
it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field now. But
I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a peasouper,
it was raining like hell.(sigh)



Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

[John Mullen]

"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
> >ubject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
> >From: "Brian Colwell"
> >Date: 6/1/04 2:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time
> >Message-id: <5%6vc.640170$oR5.170110@pd7tw3no>
> >
> >
> >"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> >Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
> >> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
> >>
> >> > Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
> >> >now a major commercial airport.
> >> >
> >>
> >> Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway
> >and
> >> threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now
a
> >major
> >> commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness
on
> >that
> >> ol' cowpasture. (grin)
> >>
> >>
> >> Arthur Kramer
> >> 344th BG 494th BS
> >> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
> >> Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
> >> http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
> >
> >Art,
> > They now move approx. 200 million passengers a year and it is the
4th
> >busiest aiport in the UK...see what you started :-))
> >
> >Regards, BMC
> >
> >
>
>
> Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of
shacks
> it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field now.
But
> I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a
peasouper,
> it was raining like hell.(sigh)

It is the airport of choice for hijacked aircraft to be diverted to!

John

[Keith Willshaw]

"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...

>
> Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of
shacks
> it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field now.
But
> I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a
peasouper,
> it was raining like hell.(sigh)
>
>

You can see pictures of the modern field at
http://www.baapicturelibrary.co.uk/

Keith




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[ArtKramr]

>Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>From: "Keith Willshaw"
>Date: 6/2/04 1:45 AM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
>
>>
>> Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of
>shacks
>> it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field now.
>But
>> I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a
>peasouper,
>> it was raining like hell.(sigh)
>>
>>
>
>You can see pictures of the modern field at
>http://www.baapicturelibrary.co.uk/
>
>Keith
>
>


WOW !!!! From cowpastures do mighty airports grow. It is a beauty To get an
idea of wat it looked like during the war see the movie "12 O'Clock High" It
looked like the field in that film. Somewhere on the Stansted field is a plaque
to the 344th. Is it still there? A photo of the plaque is on my website. If
anyone knows, lemme know. Thanks Keith for the website and the great photos.
Memories.Always memories.




Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

[Brian Colwell]

"Keith Willshaw" > wrote in message
...
>
> "ArtKramr" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> >
> > Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of
> shacks
> > it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field
now.
> But
> > I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a
> peasouper,
> > it was raining like hell.(sigh)
> >
> >
>
> You can see pictures of the modern field at
> http://www.baapicturelibrary.co.uk/
>
> Keith
>
>
>
>
> ----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet
News==----
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Newsgroups
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=---

Thanks Keith,....I was searching for a website showing the layout of the
airport, you saved me a lot of time !

BMC

[Peter Twydell]

In article >, ArtKramr
> writes
>>ubject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>>From: "Brian Colwell"
>>Date: 6/1/04 2:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time
>>Message-id: <5%6vc.640170$oR5.170110@pd7tw3no>
>>
>>
>>"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
>>> >Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>>> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
>>>
>>> > Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
>>> >now a major commercial airport.
>>> >
>>>
>>> Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway
>>and
>>> threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now a
>>major
>>> commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness on
>>that
>>> ol' cowpasture. (grin)
>>>
>>>
>>> Arthur Kramer
>>> 344th BG 494th BS
>>> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
>>> Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
>>> http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
>>
>>Art,
>> They now move approx. 200 million passengers a year and it is the 4th
>>busiest aiport in the UK...see what you started :-))
>>
>>Regards, BMC
>>
>>
>
>
>Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of shacks
>it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field now. But
>I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a peasouper,
>it was raining like hell.(sigh)
>
>
>
>Arthur Kramer
>344th BG 494th BS
> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
>Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
>http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
>
Here's an extract from the first volume of "Action Stations", covering
military airfields in Essex and East Anglia:

As long ago as July 4 1942 the 817th US Engineering Air Battalion
arrived to build the 1,919-acre airfield, which opened in July 1943,
after more engineers had arrived, as an Air Depot for US forces in
Britain. By October 1943 an airfield existed with the customary three
runways, a main NE/SW 6,000 x 150-foot runway and two subsidiaries, both
2,000 x 150 feet, running roughly NW/SW and N/S. To Stansted came many a
Marauder to be prepared for combat in the ETO. But it was the arrival of
the 344th Bomb Group with B-26s that really brought the station to life.
The Group commenced operations on March 6 1944, flying daylight raids
on France, Belgium and Holland and concentrating its attacks on bridges
in May 1944. For its July operations it was awarded a Distinguished Unit
Citation.
The Group moved to France in late September 1944, leaving the 30th Air
Depot Group in residence. After the war the airfield was used as an
American transit centre. On August 12 1945 the Americans moved out and
the RAF took over, siting 263 MU here. Some German POWs were held here
pending repatriation.


The article continues with Stansted's post-war history, both military
and civil, up to 1979.

--
Peter

Ying tong iddle-i po!

[ArtKramr]

>Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>From: Peter Twydell
>Date: 6/6/04 2:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>In article >, ArtKramr
> writes
>>>ubject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>>>From: "Brian Colwell"
>>>Date: 6/1/04 2:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time
>>>Message-id: <5%6vc.640170$oR5.170110@pd7tw3no>
>>>
>>>
>>>"ArtKramr" > wrote in message
...
>>>> >Subject: Re: Memorial day in Cambridge UK
>>>> >From: "Keith Willshaw"
>>>>
>>>> > Any ceremonies at Stansted, the home of the ol' 344th?
>>>> >>
>>>> >
>>>> >I dont know but I doubt it Art, Stansted is
>>>> >now a major commercial airport.
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>> Originally it was a cowpasture. It got levelled, they lay down a runway
>>>and
>>>> threw up a load of Niessen huts and we (the 344th moved) moved in. Now a
>>>major
>>>> commmercial airport. eh. I guess the ol' 44th left a mark of greatness on
>>>that
>>>> ol' cowpasture. (grin)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Arthur Kramer
>>>> 344th BG 494th BS
>>>> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
>>>> Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
>>>> http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
>>>
>>>Art,
>>> They now move approx. 200 million passengers a year and it is the 4th
>>>busiest aiport in the UK...see what you started :-))
>>>
>>>Regards, BMC
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>Who'da thunk it. from that little airdrome with one runway and a load of
>shacks
>>it is now a major airport... Guess I'd never recognise the old field now.
>But
>>I'll always remember it the way it was. When it wasn't cloaked in a
>peasouper,
>>it was raining like hell.(sigh)
>>
>>
>>
>>Arthur Kramer
>>344th BG 494th BS
>> England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
>>Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
>>http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer
>>
>Here's an extract from the first volume of "Action Stations", covering
>military airfields in Essex and East Anglia:
>
> As long ago as July 4 1942 the 817th US Engineering Air Battalion
>arrived to build the 1,919-acre airfield, which opened in July 1943,
>after more engineers had arrived, as an Air Depot for US forces in
>Britain. By October 1943 an airfield existed with the customary three
>runways, a main NE/SW 6,000 x 150-foot runway and two subsidiaries, both
>2,000 x 150 feet, running roughly NW/SW and N/S. To Stansted came many a
>Marauder to be prepared for combat in the ETO. But it was the arrival of
>the 344th Bomb Group with B-26s that really brought the station to life.
> The Group commenced operations on March 6 1944, flying daylight raids
>on France, Belgium and Holland and concentrating its attacks on bridges
>in May 1944. For its July operations it was awarded a Distinguished Unit
>Citation.
> The Group moved to France in late September 1944, leaving the 30th Air
>Depot Group in residence. After the war the airfield was used as an
>American transit centre. On August 12 1945 the Americans moved out and
>the RAF took over, siting 263 MU here. Some German POWs were held here
>pending repatriation.
>
>
>The article continues with Stansted's post-war history, both military
>and civil, up to 1979.
>
>--
>Peter
>
>Ying tong iddle-i po!
>


Interesting stuff. Thank you.


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer