In the Footsteps of Heros

Today we headed off to Ridgewell to see the Airbase where Scott's Uncle Mort was stationed. As most of you know he was a Tail Gunner in a B-17 during WWII. We have been planning to come see this for many years but finally decided that the time had come after Morton Passed away last year shortly after his 100th Birthday. Since we have been actively involved in the 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association and their Reunions for many years we were able to make contact with the individuals over here in England that are responsible for the Museum at the site and have a wealth of knowledge about the location and the Bomb Groups involvement in the war. We were put in contact with Chis Tennant who would be our private tour guide for our visit.

We set off about 9 to head out a series of country roads to reach our meeting spot and were treated to fields full of wild flowers and quaint little villages full of old cottages and 14th century churches. We met our tour guide in "town" and headed out to the Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative Museum 381st Bomb Group, part of the US Army Air Force and later the 8th Air Force. The museum is housed in an original Quonset Hut that was the base hospital. The collection is extensive and has many photos of the aircraft and crews that were part of the 381st along with artifacts from many of the B-17 bombers that returned damaged or actually crashed at the airfield. There were also many books with mission reports and crew details. We were enthralled with all of the exhibits and it was exciting to see plaques with the names of many of the Veterans that we know from the Reunions.

A real bonus for our visit was that Chis has extensive knowledge of the area having grown up in a house next to the air field. Most of the land is now privately owned but he knew were all of the remaining accessible buildings were and was able to take us on a driving tour of the "Base" as it is today while showing us pictures of what it looked like during WWII. It was eerie in a way to stand overlooking a field of wildflowers and yet still be able to see the runway in your minds eye with massive bombers with the 381st Triangle L on the tail. We also drove into Great Yeldham to see the remains of the train station that Uncle Mort would have arrived at and to have a pint and a bite at The Waggon & Horses, a local pub that was frequented by the men stationed at Ridgewell.

We finished up our day long visit with a walk on the edge of the former air field that, among the over growth of plants, trees and bushes we found remnants of bomb shelters, shower houses and wild flower covered mounds that had once been the enlisted airman's club. All of these are slowly returning to the land. It is heartening that at least part of the history will be preserved. The sacrifices that these men made and the nightmares that those who survived endured deserve that much. It was a truly special day....walking in the footsteps of heroes.
We miss you Uncle Mort, we know you're at peace.