FRE 2057
IMAGEThis photo is from the collection of Lt Royal K. Snell, who was copilot on the heavy bomber crew of Lt William A. Yowell in the 837th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group. It was taken while the Yowell crew was on flak leave at the Birkdale Palace Hotel in Southport, England during the first week of August 1944. Snell has handwritten on the reverse of the photo: 'Our crew & others at Southport on rest leave after 20 missions in B-24s.' The photo shows guests relaxing at a structure called the Colonnade in Princes Park, Southport, UK, about one mile from the Palace Hotel. The roller coaster in the background was located in nearby Pleasureland amusement park. The Colonnade was located at 53°39'01"N, 3°00'48"W, a short distance from the Southport sea bathing lake (see the image FRE_002059). This site is now occupied by Southport Heritage Centre. See the next image, FRE_002058.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Locations
- Site type: Military site
- Known as: Palace Hotel
Revisions
1. Britain from Above (search for Southport and Birkdale Palace Hotel)
http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk
Some examples:
• http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw058485
• http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw045241
• http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw045243
2. de Jong, Ivo. 'The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H)'. Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
3. Google Maps
• Location of the former Birkdale Palace Hotel: Ascot Close, Southport, Sefton PR8; coordinates 53°38'16"N, 003°01'32"W. See: https://goo.gl/maps/Ea6kD
• Location of the former Southport sea bathing lake, Southport, UK: 53°39'05"N, 3°00'57"W. See: https://goo.gl/maps/mYcANpAkktF2
• Location of the former Colonnade in Princes Park, Southport, UK: 53°39'01"N, 3°00'48"W. See: https://goo.gl/maps/xhcMu8GXDkJ2
4. Headquarters, Army Air Forces Station 137 (487th Bomb Group). Special Orders Number 119. 28 July 1944 (order directing the William A. Yowell crew, 837th Bomb Squadron, to proceed to Southport, England for flak leave on 1–7 August 1944)
5. Southport Visiter: A look back at Southport's outdoor swimming baths [View Gallery]
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/history/southports-outdoor-swimm…