I was there in the UK from 1943 – 1945 and I remember!

I spent my first few months at an 8th Fighter Command Fighter Base, near Thetford, and was later transferred to Headquarters, 67th Fighter Wing, in Wolcott Hall near Stanford.

My job was one of support to the Headquarters staff and to the Fighter Groups under that Command.

I was involved closely with the operational activities of the Groups, providing utilities and communications services as needed. Importantly keeping the equipment under the large table, on which the position of planes of the various 8th Air Force and other military missions then underway, were displayed. They were moved manually by pushing their replicas along the map painted on the table. I’m sure you have seen in some of the war movies.

I was there!!

Because of excess heat under the table, I’m sure it had a proper name; the equipment often overheated and malfunctioned. This was not in my official function, but I learned to repair these and quickly to the end that I had another assignment, KEEP THE EQUIPMNT WORKING. After six months or maybe a year, a Colonel (Webster?) once asked me what the ‘H’ I did under there to get the equipment to work in such short time?? I told him that I had arranged to have a few spare units on stand by and I just exchanged them, and he thanked me!!!! Not sure he understood, but he just watched when I got calls for help!!!

I was there!

On the afternoon of June 4, if I recall correctly, I attended a meeting at which our Commanding General Ed W Anderson, my memory maybe is slipping, announced that all leave was to be cancelled for the next week, and we were to operate on our emergency generating equipment until further notice.

I do not recall any mention of an imminent invasion of the continent, but it was obvious something very big was imminent!!! And so too, my associates, and we went about our work with greater vigour and sense of urgency.

I was there!! On the morning of June 6, 1944, I heard before I went out and looked up to see the sky full of airplanes, and I watched when Group by Group, Wing by Wing they got into their assigned position and turned toward the coast and the Continent. The planes created such a shadow, it blotted out both the light of the moon and the early rays of the morning sun!!!

Yes, I was there, I will never forget, and many thanks to the British people who sponsored and followed up to achieve the American Air Museum for the generations of the future. I am a Charter Member, and have visited the site, including the dedication ceremony.

Yes, I was there!!!

Keep up the good work, and finally my wife Mavis was from Market Deeping near Peterborough. She was a wonderful wife and mother to our three children, and we have missed her since her passing in 1978.