Stories from the United States air force

Members of the Women's Army Corps, 1943-45

In the midst of the centenaries surrounding the Great War I missed the news that the records of those United States airmen stationed in Britain during the last war been made available on line.

The collection at  went live on May 19 and is a fascinating  archive which is

"a unique collection of over 30,000 images of original photographs, letters, memoirs and other documents, the Second Air Division Digital Archive documents the wartime experiences of Second Air Division personnel and their relationships with British people in their 'home from home' in Norfolk and beyond during World War Two.

Air cres 453rd Bomb Group

It is a personal and commemorative collection which contains photographs, diaries, letters, memoirs, and other documents donated to the Second Air Division Memorial Library's archive which is held at the Norfolk Record Office, England.

The digitization of these records has been made possible through a generous donation from the legacy of Bernard Newmark, a veteran of the 458th Bomb Group (Horsham St Faith) made through the Second Air Division Memorial Trust.”* 

Flying Officer Robert S Alexander

Pictures; Members of the Women’s Army Corps, who were based at Ketteringham Hall, enjoying some leisure time, 194301945, Norfolk Record Office, MC 371/814,Kenton Morris’ crew  photograph, 453rd Bomb Group based at Old Buckenham, March 1944. Norfolk Record Office, MC 371/882/39/2,Flying Officer Robert S. Alexander of the 359th Fighter Group based at East Wretham, 1943-1944. Norfolk Record Office, MC 376/287, Spectators at a rodeo at Carrow Road football ground in Norwich, organised by Second Air Division headquarters, 7 Aug 1943. Norfolk Record Office, MC 376/336, courtesy of The Second Air Division Digital Archive,
Location; Norfolk and East Anglia,  www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive

Spectators at a rodeo

*The Second Air Division Digital Archive, www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive