As Apple TV release Masters of the Air to stream there will be great international interest but even more from East Anglia especially Norfolk and Suffolk where the filming was carried out which both Austin Butler and Callum Turner have starring roles.
This World War 2 feature film shows how aircraft operated and aircrew lived and died as they flew from Air bases along the east coast in World War Two.
The film is launched just as the generation who gave so much and knew about the horror of war are coming to a demise. On Sunday January 21st the sad news was received informing Eye in Suffolk of the death of Si Spiegel at the age of 99 his death leaves a sole survivor who served with the USAAF 490 th Bombardment Group (H). The 490th BG were stationed at the Eye Airfield Eye Suffolk 1943 - 1945
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the D Day landings the largest amphibious operation ever launched.
As with most of the World War Two Airfields after the war they were handed over to the RAF and slowly decommissioned and the land sold. A large number of the Airfields became Industrial Estates as they were outside the towns and villages.
The Airfields still exist today and as well as supporting large numbers of industrial companies they are well documented by groups of Airfield and Aircraft enthusiasts and offer the opportunity to visit and support these keen volunteers who keep buildings alive and footprints clear offering the public the chance to see how aircraft and crews operated and lived in World War Two.
Many Airfields have memorials to those who did not make it back and many Americans who served or who’s family members served visit the Airfields as did Si when he attended the unveiling of a new memorial on Progress Way in Eye Suffolk in 2016
Eye in Suffolk has a very active group of 490th BG volunteers who have set out four walks with information and orientation signs to inform visitors and have plans to start and finish the final walk as soon as all the land permission is agreed.
November 10th 2023 saw the unveiling of the B17 Pathfinder memorial on the anniversary of the crash which happened in the grounds of Oaksmere Hotel Eye. The memorial is open to the public who are welcome to visit and learn more.
Pictures Thank you Apple TV, UK Airfields and Wendy Aiken photography
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