Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative Association Happy Bottom 70 years ago this month a famous American actor came to Ridgewell. Fresh from filming ‘Mr. Winkle Goes to War’, Hollywood star, Edward G. Robinson, arrived to christen a new B-17 in honour of his wife. On 5 July 1944, Ridgewell came to a standstill. Not just for the war, but for movie actor Edward G. Robinson (alias "Rico" Bandello, a small-time crook from the movie, Little Caesar) who’d arrived to christen a new B- 17G which had recently been assigned to the 532nd Bomb Squadron. Base Chaplain James Good Brown was one of the first to greet him. He was left suitably impressed. “What a man!” Brown later wrote. “Of all the actors who came to the base, he showed the most human interest. He was never acting. He just wanted to walk around the base talking to the President—Dave Osborne men, and the men wanted to talk to him.” Chairman—Jim Tennet Robinson broke his gangster persona making the watching Treasurer—Jenny Tennet Secretary—Mike Land men howl with laughter when he announced that he was Membership Secretary—Alan Steel naming the new aircraft ‘Happy Bottom’ after his wife, Historian—Chris Tennet Gladys, which he cleverly mispronounced, ‘Glad Ass’. Volunteer—Monica Steel The actor was a big hit. “When he left the base, he left with Aki Bingley several thousand men as his friends,” said Chaplain Brown. DEDICATED TO THE MEN OF RAF 90 SQUADRON, 94 AND 95 MAINTENANCE UNITS AND USAAF 381ST BOMB GROUP Newsletter JULY 2014 Sadly, Happy Bottom didn’t fare so well. Just eleven days later, on a mission to Munich, the aircraft was forced to ditch in the North Sea some 40 miles from the In this month’s issue... English coast. Fortunately the pilot, Jack McGregor, was skilful enough to bring her down alongside a Welcome to the July 2014 edition The service ended with a beautifully Chris Tennet waiting air/sea rescue boat. The crew managed to scramble aboard (without getting their feet wet) while of Ridgewell Airfield bagpiped rendition of Amazing A profile of Happy Bottom bobbed along on the surface. She remained there for a full half an hour before gently sinking Commemorative Association’s Grace. Association beneath the waves. She’d only managed eight missions. Compared to some of the 381st aircraft, though, quarterly newsletter. The Association wishes to thank the historian and she’d led a charmed life. After all, there were only a few that were christened by Hollywood royalty. On 22 June, 2014, members of the following for their generous l o n g - t i m e association, local villagers and donations: Lt. Col. John Arthur, Mr volunteer, Chris Eighth in the East other interested people took part in David Cole, Mr & Mrs Chadwick, Tennet. a memorial service to remember Mr A. F. Dye, Mrs S.E. Mackinnon, Thanks to a Heritage Lottery-funded initiative which is helping to explore the history of the Eighth Air Force those who lost their lives in the Mr Tony Steel, Mr Paul Fellows, A Brief History and its association with East Anglia, residents of Ridgewell and the surrounding area will soon be able to explosion of B-17F, Caroline, at Colin & Lynn, Locolines Ltd, Mr M u s e u m learn more about the work of this unique airfield. Ridgewell airfield on 23 June 1943. Andy Waller, Mrs Pat Morris, Mrs Curator, Jim The Eighth in the East project was set up to support the work of This year’s memorial service Josie Howe, Anna Roge (Veteran’s Tennet, outlines volunteers who care for this local heritage, and the Ridgewell follows that of the 70th anniversary daughter USA), Sonia Walsham, a brief history of Airfield Commemorative Association has been lucky enough to service which was held last year. Mike & Christine Land, Brian & RAF Ridgewell. be approved as one of those organisations that will benefit from Since then, membership secretary, Irene Bird, Charles Perriello a special Eighth in the East Community Grant. Alan Steel, has been busily (Veteran’s son USA), Andy Cox, Happy Bottom The grants focus on providing support to organisations, groups drumming up support and Kevin Wilson (381st BGMA On 5 July 1944, and museums that wish to engage in new ways with their local donations, whilst organising the Secretary USA), Jonathan Jones, Jim a new B-17G community to tell the story of the Eighth Air Force and its links construction of a permanent granite & Jenny Tennet, Mark Powell, Paul was christened to the region during World War Two. Thanks to the Eighth in memorial to the event. Great work, & Aki Bingley, Alan & Mary by a famous the East project, the Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative Alan! Bingley, Alan & Monica Steel, ‘gangster’. Association Museum has been given funding to purchase a new Unveiled on 22 June, the memorial Anthony Wallbridge, Granite Block projector and equipment which will be used to begin a series of is still being constructed and should donated by Mr Trevor Thurgood. 8th in the East audio-visual talks for the local community and village history be in its permanent position at the Inscription Block donated by Irvin Details of a societies about the history of RAF Ridgewell. The equipment will also be used to present films and slide site of the explosion by November (Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative C o m m u n i t y shows at the museum on its open days. 2014. Association). Grant given to Needless to say, we are very pleased to have been chosen for one of the Eighth in the East’s grants, and The service was conducted by And last, but not least, the the museum by would like to thank the Eighth in the East project and the Heritage Lottery Fund for its valued support. Stambourne minister, Mr Adrian Association would like to thank the Eighth in the If your village society is interested in hearing one of our talks, please contact Jim Tennet at [email protected] Burr, and included a reading of the Nigel & Sue of Stonewriters for their East project. names of those who lost their lives. help and consideration. 4 The Winter of1 ‘44 © Michael Land Located off the A1017 (formerly A604), Ridgewell Road, Great Yeldham, Essex Chris Tennet A Brief History Q: You’ve made a number of scale aircraft models Museum curator, Jim Tennet (with a little help and inspiration from old friend, Derek Wyndham Mayes!) for the museum. Which is your favourite and gives us a brief history of the work of RAF Ridgewell and the museum. why? Although built for specific use by the US Army Air Force, Ridgewell Airfield was initially used as an R.A.F. A: I have two favourites. The first one being a 1/48 station, part of number 3 group in Bomber Command. Because the US 381st Bomb Group were not ready scale P-47 Thundebolt in 78th Fighter Group and, despite many buildings not being completed, it was first used in January 1943 until June by RAF 90 markings (Station 357 Duxford). I'm quite a squadron flying Short Stirlings. Although there for only a short period, 90 Squadron suffered 31 incidents perfectionist with scale models, and this one I can't during that time, most of which were a total loss and claimed many lives. find anything wrong with. The other favourite is a The United States Army Air Force 381st Bomb Group, commanded by Colonel Joseph J Nazzaro, was 1/48 scale B-17, marked up as 43-37657 "The Fox" formed and trained at Pyote, Texas, being equipped with Boeing B17E Flying Fortresses. With its training Association historian, Chris Tennet, answers 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group. The complete on the 2nd February, 1943 the group moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where it 'fine tuned' until the 9th questions about his time at the museum. model is not perfect, and I made a few mistakes but it May, 1943. Early in May, the commander learned that the group was destined for action in the European was the first one I had made since I was younger and theatre of war and on the 12th May, an advanced party flew, by means of Q: When and how did you first become aware of overall it's not bad. The story behind the aircraft is a C54 Skymaster aircraft, to Prestwick, Scotland. The B17 aircraft and RAF Ridgewell? particularly interesting, and will soon be in the their crews then began their transfer to England, departing Pueblo on the museum alongside the model. 4th of May to 'Smokey Hill' Army Base, Salinas, Kansas. The first A: I first became aware of RAF Ridgewell simply by aircraft departed Salinas for England on the 15th of May, 1943. Those living right next to it. I grew up in the village of Q: You’ve studied the history of the 381st BG in aircraft with long-range 'Tokyo-Tanks' flew direct to Prestwick. The Ovington and spent a lot of my youth playing with detail. Which event in its history never fails to remainder travelled via Bangor, Maine to Goose Bay, Labrador to Bluie friends on the old base. Combined with my love of impress you? West 1, Greenland to Keflavik Field, Iceland to Prestwick, Scotland and aircraft, my interest in the airfield took hold. finally to Bovingdon in Hertfordshire, England. Arriving on the 25th of A: There are far too many to choose from. One that May, they spent the next ten days being indoctrinated with the Q: How did you get involved in the Ridgewell springs to mind is the tale of Carolina Queen, unable knowledge necessary to fight over Europe.