RAF Lavenham

Lavenham Airfield was operational during World War Two between March 1944 and August 1945. It was manned by the US Army Air Force 487th Bombardment Group, who flew 185 missions and over 6000 sorties
Lavenham Airfield has now reverted to farmland. Whilst many of the roadways remain, the concrete has cracked, and nature is gradually encroaching. The runways large extent have been removed, although a few sections do still remain, now used as hard standing for farming purposes. The Control Tower, is currently being restored. Most of the other buildings, are still standing but are in various stages of dilapidation. The majority of the Airfield is private property. If you wish to visit please respect this. A Memorial Plaque to the aircrews who flew from Lavenham stands in the Market Place of the nearby town.

7th May 1944 Operations

8th May 1944 Attack Made

9th May 1944 Attack Made

11th May 1944 Attack Made

20th May 1944 Aircraft Lost

23rd May 1944 Attack Made

24th May 1944 Attack Made

25th May 1944 Attack Made

27th May 1944 Attack Made

28th May 1944 Aircraft Lost

28th May 1944 Aircraft Lost

30th May 1944 Aircraft Lost

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Those known to have served at
RAF Lavenham
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

Duncan Raymond Ezra. S/Sgt

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

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1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time.
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Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the War? Our Library contains an ever growing number diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text.

Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to WW2. We would like to obtain digital copies of any documents or photographs relating to WW2 you may have at home.
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Did you know? We also have a section on The Great War. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.

Want to know more about RAF Lavenham?

There are:12 items tagged RAF Lavenham available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.

S/Sgt Raymond Ezra Duncan 836th Squadron 487th Bomb Group

I was assigned to the 487th Bomb Group 836th Squadron from inception to termination. I served in England on Station 137 for 15 months. I volunteered to be bar tender for the 836th Sqdn party on return of Col Bernie Lay's return after the bomb mission which his aircraft was shot down in France.
I was also present at the Boarding of Trebble Four aircraft by Brigadier General Bernard Castle on 24 December 1944 which ended in fate for General Castle & possibly one other crew member.
For 65 years I was not aware of the outcome of this flight until it was discovered on the internet. I was Crew Chief on Heavenly Body which has been reported in a narrative on the internet that it crashed but I have to say I flew back to the USA in July 1945 in it after being allerted 19 times for takeoff.
I prepared a swing seat between the pilot & Co-pilot as the pilot was concerned about one spark plug malfunction. I assured him that it was OK. We flew from station 137 to Wales-overnight on to Rejykavick, Iceland-overnight, on to Labrador-overnight & on to Bangor, Maine without incident.
I built a hut by the aircraft hardstand out of B-24 Bomb bay cargo racks & lived in it several months.

Raymond Duncan

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Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.

Bomber Bases of World War 2, Airfields of 2nd Air Division (USAAF): Liberator Squadrons in Norfolk and Suffolk

Martin Bowman

This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favourite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would go

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Bomber Bases of World War 2, Airfields of 2nd Air Division (USAAF): Liberator Squadrons in Norfolk and Suffolk

Bomber Bases of WW2 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force USAAF 1942-45

Martin Bowman

Airfields included are Bury St Edmunds, Debach, Deopham Green Eye, Framlington, Great Ashfield, Horham, Knettishall, Lavenham, Mendlesham, Rattlesden, Snetterton Heath, Sudbury and Thorpe Abbot, which has one of the finest aviation museums in England.This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favourite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would have sought well-deserved entertainment and relaxation. Other museums and places that are relevant will also be described and general directions on how to get them included.

More information on:

Bomber Bases of WW2 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force USAAF 1942-45

The Wartime Memories Project
- RAF Lavenham during the Second World War -

RAF Lavenham

Those known to have served at
RAF Lavenham
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about RAF Lavenham?

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project - RAF Lavenham during the Second World War -

RAF Lavenham

Those known to have served at RAF Lavenhamduring the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about RAF Lavenham?

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
- RAF Lavenham during the Second World War -

Those known to have served at
RAF Lavenham
during the Second World War 1939-1945.