WW2 Trail

During World War 2 the Waveney Valley was home to a number of US Servicemen, who made up the ‘Friendly Invasion’. The invaders were thousands of young Americans, part of the

United States Army Air Force’s vast contribution 1 to the Allies’ strategic bombing offensive being waged against Nazi-occupied Europe. There were up to 50,000 US personnel stationed here and in 3 2 the surrounding area at any one time. By 1944, echoed to the roar of B24 Liberators and B17 Flying Fortresses as huge aerial armadas took to the skies from a countryside so freckled with bomber bases that it became known as ‘Little America’. Learn more about our rich wartime heritage in this WW2 Trail.

1 Seething Control Tower Seething Control Tower Museum is a restored World War II air traffic control tower, located at Seething Airfield in , . It serves as a memorial to those who served at this airfield from 1943 to 1945. The Museum is housed in the restored Control Tower of the former RAF Seething, formally the home to the 448th Bomb Group of the United States Air Force and was given the identification Station 146. The museum stands guard over the entrance to Seething Airfield, a popular general aviation airfield which is owned and operated by its own flying club. Seething Control Tower Museum is approximately 9 miles south east of . There is ample free parking for bikes, cars and coaches. Opening Times: the first Sunday of the month, May to October from 10am. Toad Lane, Seething, Norfolk NR15 1AL. www.seethingtower.org Cont... WW2 Trail Cont..

2 Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum is recognised as East Anglia’s Aviation Heritage Centre. The museum exhibits are arranged in a number of sections which can be visited in any order as desired. There are around 65 aircraft on display, equipment, uniforms, engines, models, records and a myriad of other artefacts, which have been steadily acquired over the years. The range of exhibits is now extremely wide and cannot fail to be of interest to the most discerning of visitors - no matter taste or interest. Open Summer: April to October Sunday to Thursday 10am until 5pm. Winter: November to March Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 10am until 4pm. The Street, Flixton, Bungay, NR35 1NZ Tel: 01986 896644 www.aviationmuseum.net

3 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum The 100th Bomb Group gained the reputation as the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ due to the heavy losses they suffered. On their first mission alone the 100th Bomb Group lost three planes and thirty men. Today the museum is a moving testament to the Americans, who in the pursuit of peace, came to Thorpe Abbotts in Norfolk to fight alongside the allies during World War Two.The Museum functions as both a place for learning as well as reflection on the hardships faced by those stationed at Thorpe Abbotts. Free Entry. Open weekends and bank holidays from March – October 10am-5pm. Additional opening Wednesdays from May – September 10am-5pm. Common Rd, Dickleburgh, Diss, IP21 4PH. Tel: 01379 740708 www.100bgmus.org.uk

You can also find out lots more about the History and Heritage of the Waveney Valley by visiting our market towns and local museums. Enjoy!

For more Trails and Itineraries visit www.visitwaveneyvalley.co.uk If you would like to be included in a Trail or Itinerary, please contact us at [email protected]