Bungay
BUNGAY see also METTINGHAM
BUNGAY: Military aerodrome
Note: The WW2 map was obtained from the Mighty Eighth War War Manual © by Roger A Freeman. The aerial view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Military users: 8th USAAF 20th Bombardment Wing
93rd & 446th Bomb Group
704, 705, 706 & 707 Sqdns (B.24 Liberators)
Location: S of B1062, E of Flixton, 2nm SW of Bungay, 7nm WSW of Beccles
Period of operation: 1942 to 1945
Runways: 05/23 1828x46 hard 18/36 1280x46 hard
10/28 1280x46 hard
NOTES: It appears that it is obvious that this airfield was built and in operation well before the USA joined in WW2, but was happening here before the 8th USAAF arrived? In 2020 Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide' tells us that the 428th Bomb Group moved in with fourteen Mitchells before the airfield was finished. But that still doesn't explain why some sources reckon the airfield was operational since 1942. Any advice will be very welcome.
In 1944 there were 426,000 US Airmen on front line duties in NORFOLK and SUFFOLK and indeed it is said that during this period every sixth person in SUFFOLK was American. There were of course a great many more American servicemen stationed elsewhere in England in the lead up to D-Day.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
In 2023 Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', took it upon himself to see what else can be found.
Notes: Isn't that picture of the USAAF people awaiting the return of their bombers so redolent of that era. We need to remember that although BUNGAY was only operational for a few years, it was a very close knit community, akin to a township but more so. Because, everybody involved had to rely on each other to do their very best, no matter how humble or elevated their role.
AN ARTICLE FROM ACTION STATIONS 1 by MICHAEL J F BOWYER
The short article is from Front-Line Suffolk by Michael Foley.
THE CFM SHADOW
In 1983 the pioneering radical design microlight CFM Shadow flew from here, from an unkempt rough runway, piloted by its designer and builder David Cook. This design went on to establish itself as one of the best ever microlight aircraft, gaining many awards and even World Records.
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