Learning about history with a visit to a local WW2 site

Our TAPS bloggers have been learning about WW2 with a visit to the former Rackheath Airfield site near Norwich. 

During the war, the airfield was home to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) 467th Bombardment Group, known as the Rackheath Aggies, who flew B-24 Liberator heavy bombers from the site between March 1944 and July 1945. The B-24 was nicknamed Witchcraft and is famous for completing the most missions of any Second Air Division.

There is now an industrial estate where the airfield used to be, but you can still find evidence of its USAAF days. We visited Newman Woods, where the Officers’ mess used to be located. It’s now looked after by a team of volunteers called the Rackheath Pathfinders who have done an amazing job exposing the old footings, putting up information boards, and making it a haven for wildlife.

We all enjoyed a lovely walk listening to the birds and learning about the remaining structures. The whole place has a lovely sense of peace and tranquillity. Shirley laid a poppy cross in the remembrance garden and, judging by the number of robins we saw, the spirits of those brave men are still around. 

We also visited the industrial estate memorial, where Jo-Ann laid another poppy cross, and saw the refurbished control tower, which has been converted into offices. We finished up at the B-24 cafe for lunch, which is close to the control tower and has lovely food and a lot of memorabilia. Mark bought a t-shirt with the Rackheath badge ‘Liberatus’ meaning for freedom, and has asked to learn more about the planes, especially Witchcraft. 

Another reminder of the past can be seen in the roads on Rackheath Industrial estate which are named after the planes and personnel connected to the airfield: Witchcraft Way, Albert J Shower Road, and Ramirez Road. The main road through the site, Wendover Road, was named after the training base in Utah which trained the bomber crews.

Our TAPS bloggers explore the history of Rackheath Airfield