95th BOMB GROUP VETERANS MEMORIAL WEEKEND

[FAAA]

95th BOMB GROUP VETERANS MEMORIAL WEEKEND

RED FEATHER CLUB HORHAM AIRFIELD ENGLAND

 

Suffolk and Norfolk is a hell of a way to go to do an event and for many in the group it is almost coast to coast, however the warm welcome always received at these Airfield events is outstanding and makes the effort to attend so worthwhile.

 

One of the most well attended events are those organised by the committee of the Red Feather club at Horham which was the home in WWII to the 95th Bomb Group 8th US Army Air Force.

 

 

It was from this Airfield that the Group completed a total of 321 missions. Aircraft losses consisted of 157 missing in action and 39 other operational losses. The last 8th Air Force lost on a mission was from the 95th BG, crashing into the sea 7th May 1945.

During their distinguished service, the 95th was the first to bomb Berlin (4th March 1944) and received three unit citations:

 

Distinguished Unit Citation: Regensburg 17 Aug 43

Distinguished Unit Citation: Munster 10 Oct 43

Distinguished Unit Citation: Berlin 4 Mar 44

 

The event was based at the Red Feather Club the original NCO’s Club for the 95th BG during WWII. The Red Feather Club has been restored, including the bar, to its former glory, with the bar area painstakingly restored to look as close to the original as possible.

 

Prior to the main memorial event on the Sunday a new memorial was unveiled at the small village of Redlingfield, Suffolk - just to the South of Horham Airfield. On 19 November 1943 a B-17G, s/n 42-31123 crashed shortly after takeoff. The ten crew on board were killed.

 

 

 

For the group this was to be in the main an Honor Guard commitment event, however we as a group found ourselves in a situation where for the first time we not only had two flags to parade but not one Flag orderly from the group was available and only 2 trained riflemen could make it, however in the highest tradition of the group we managed, but only because Pops and Gavin saved the day by coming forward to train from scratch and to do the task of flag Orderlies and thus completing the Color Guard. Boy it has to be said what a great job both did, not only for the main Sunday memorial parade but also in the Sunset parade in the Red Feather Club on the Saturday evening and all to music too. In addition to the Honor Guard tasking the members of the group attending also provided a static display representing the unsung heroes of the AAF ground Forces the Aviation Engineers and the Medical Air Evacuation Squadrons

 

As this was a one day event the group mustered at the Red Feather Club at 1100hrs on the Saturday morning in readiness to set up the tented camp location, this was done in a couple of hours with several stops for tea kindly supplied by the ladies of the Red Feather Club.

 

By mid afternoon camp was established and troops then focussed on rehearsing the Drill for both the evenings Dance and the Memorial Parade on the Sunday, the main emphasis was on the evenings parade of the colors in the club which was to be to music.

 

 

 

Apart from the Drill training it was quite a relaxed afternoon and we had time to experiment with a few different ways of establishing the field Hospital element of the camp display. While troops prepared class A uniforms and bulled up leather rifle slings and boots the girls prepared the evening meal, a giant Spanish omelette preceded by Hot Dogs.

 

 

 

By 1830 hours Dinner had been devoured and the Color Party geared up and was ready for a dress rehearsal. All that remained was for the Veterans to arrive for the opening of the dance and the posting of the 95th Bomb Group Colors. By 2015hrs, Earl Jostwick who flew as a gunner with the 334th Bomb Squadron, Frank Martin a tail gunner with the 412 th Bomb Squadron and Robert Spinnenweber a Bombardier with 334th Bomb Squadron had arrived at the Red Feather Club with their families.

 

When the Honoured guests had been seated the small ceremony of the posting of the colors got underway. Assisted by Matt and two locale MP‘s the Red Feather Club was brought to silence. Permission was sought from the Veterans to post the colors and the Color Party marched into the dance hall, only the stamping of their feet could be heard above the silence. The colors were flanked by the National flag and two color sentries commanded by Sgt Rusty Lees. The Guard halted at the top of the hall and were ordered to “On Arms Rest” the stirring music “High On a Hill” was played in memory of the many Airmen of the 95th Bomb Group who never returned home and are now resting in the Cambridge American Cemetery or are listed on the wall of the missing.

 

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With the music faded out the Guard were brought to attention and the order for present arms was given as “Sunset! was played. A minutes silence was given before order arms and the posting of the 95th Bomb Group Colors. Having been given permission by the veterans to retire the National Colors the Guard marched off to the “Longest Day”

 

 

 

All members of the Guard performed outstandingly, supported by Both Matt and Amanda. Matt undertook all the rehearsal training but new to the guard stood himself down to allow the Colors to be paraded with equal numbers. Matt played a full and active part in both parades and has to be credited for ensuring the public were in the right place and at the right time and were not in the way of the route the Colors were to take in a very crowded dance hall.

 

Amanda undertook the managing of the Drill Squad and working with the sound system guy and dance organiser made sure the right music was played at the right time and in the right order. Both Pops and Gavin flanked by Possum and Rusty were a credit to the FAAA and the Veterans of the 95th Bomb group, undertaking their very first Color Party task.

 

With the guard dismissed we changed into alternative dress for the remainder of the evening to enjoy the company of the many other Living Historians and collectors attending the dance, including many from our CORA sister unit Ranger Re-enactments. All too soon the Dance came to an end and it was time to grab a midnight snack from the Burger Van and then it was head down ready for a not too early start on the Sunday morning.

 

Sunday brought with it glorious sunshine and a nice warm glow over our camp and the Red Feather Club. With the main memorial parade at 1100hrs we had plenty of time to chill out before with a cup of tea or Coffee. All had elected to skip breakfast until after the parade when we would have a feast of just about everything we had left to eat, all fried of course.

 

 

 

Before long WWII military vehicles of all types arrived at the Club and to complement these, 1940’s Hot Rods some painted in memory of the many Bomb Groups stationed in and around Suffolk and Norfolk were parked along the road. It seemed that all the enthusiasts in the two counties were congregating on this one Airfield, to say it was well attended would be an understatement.

 

 

Again it was soon time to gear up in Class A uniform, Cartridge Belts and leggings. Rifle slings were again cleaned and uniform brasses polished, garrison caps were placed at a “jaunty” angle and the Color Party fell in for a short dress rehearsal and photo oportunity before marching on.

 

 

 

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The parade format would be similar to the evening’s parade but with the addition of both the American and British National Anthems. As the Guard marched on the wind picked up a little and the flags flew beautifully in the spring breeze. Again the team did exceptionally well, marching on in complete silence, all credit to those attending the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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With the Colors of the 95th Bomb Group posted the Color Guard marched off the parade ground to the music of the Longest Day. The applause was appreciated and we all thought considering the guard were made up from a new team we had done well and hopefully did the veterans proud, regardless I was extremely proud of all who took part.

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With our little bit completed it was time to disappear into the background and listen to the many speeches and presentations. One veteran who had never been back before to Horam gave a stirring speech which was so typical of the American veterans of WWII. “Today we have been treated like heroes but we are not heroes, we just survived, the real heroes lay at rest under little white crosses” Regardless these men will always be treated as such by those of us who now have the freedom to dress as they did and attend great events such as the 95th Bomb Group Red Feather Club open day.

 

 

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Throughout the day the sun was with us and a very pleasant chilled out and very friendly atmosphere was evident. Our troops however have to always be doing something and today was no exception. Our second role was to provide two displays, one representing one of the 3 Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalions who served in the ETO and the ANC 818th Medical Air Evacuation Squadron. With a large wooded area across the road from the Club and museum the troops under Sgt Rusty Lees took advantage of a lull in the day to take a clearance patrol out for some happy snaps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On Sunday we had Jill and Alfie from the 96th Bomb Group museum with us. It was great having them both join us, it was very much like old times when both were key members of the group.

 

 

Mid afternoon the waited for fly past of the Sally B took place, wow did she look a sight? She did several passes of the Airfield in the distance before swinging round to fly low (very Low) over the Red Feather Club, what a way to bring the day to a close and all too quickly the day did finish.

 

 

 

Throughout our stay at the Red Feather Club we were looked after well and all our efforts were appreciated by the event organisers.

 

What we did, is what we do. When it comes to those old boys who did so much yesterday so we can play at it today, what we do will never be enough, their faces and the faces of the families said it all, no more really needs to be said.

 

A great little event, with great people. Some of us hope that we have the opportunity to return again later in the year for the regular dances and hopefully we as a group will be asked again sometime in the future to support this very special veteran’s event.

 

Lee Bowden

[cco23i]

OUTSTANDING JOB ALL!! Our unit needs to get over to England for an event or two, but we need a transport to haul it all!!!

 

Scott

[FAAA]

OUTSTANDING JOB ALL!! Our unit needs to get over to England for an event or two, but we need a transport to haul it all!!!

 

Scott

 

 

Scott, why dont we host you next year.

 

Regards

 

Lee