The 389th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Hethel holds its annual Gala Day on Sunday 11 June (10am-4pm) – and this year it is a special one. It will be 80 years since the Group, known as the Sky Scorpions and part of the United States 8th Army Air Force, arrived at Hethel airfield in what was called The Friendly Invasion, which brought thousands of young American airmen to the many airfields in East Anglia during World War Two. The 389th flew 307 missions from Hethel and overall it lost 116 planes and 588 men in action, mostly flying in their B24 Liberators against targets in Occupied Europe and Germany.
During their time at Hethel the men explored Wymondham and the surrounding area, making many friends with locals. They patronised the local pubs and particularly the historic Green Dragon, so much so that the logo of the 389th became the Green Dragon in place of the Sky Scorpions and they even had an assembly ship, which was used to aid formations at the start of missions, called The Green Dragon. They would visit the Regal Cinema, while local girls were invited to dances on the base and many Americans enjoyed the hospitality of local’s homes. One Christmas I recall our house was full of Americans, perhaps because my grown-up sisters were much older than me. A popular song of the day, invariably thumped out during a singsong round our piano, had a verse which was changed to “Now the next is number eight all the Yanks are simply great” with a risqué chorus of “Roll me over in the clover....” The Yanks were most generous, particularly when it came to children with the likes of American comics, biscuits, candy and, of course, chewing gum, while many kids enjoyed Christmas parties on the base.
The Gala Day affords the opportunity to visit the museum, housed in Nissen huts and the original base chapel, and through the displays of photographs, uniforms, weapons, personal possessions and other artefacts to learn about the 389th Bomb Group and its personnel. Many of the displays have been revamped by willing volunteers and newly acquired memorabilia and artefacts added. One recent addition is a collection of over 170 model aircraft, which was bequeathed to the museum. There will be a variety of stalls, including ones for the Norwich Aviation Museum, the Royal British Legion, the R.A.F Association, the Desert Rats and tombola, while among others are one featuring 1940s wedding dresses and another World War Two petrol cans! There will be music from the 1940s and the Norwich Pipe Band will entertain. Refreshments will be available from the café with its lovely home-made cakes, as well as a burger van.
With an American guard of honour from R.A.F. Lakenheath, there will be a short service at 12 noon. The entrance fee is £5 per car (cash only). Any enquiries please to Fred Squires on 01953 798774.
