A two-day tour of the East of England Airfields and locations associated with the US 8th Air Force during the Second World War. Your tour will be led by Eric Ratcliffe who has guided a number of tours for the US 8th Air Force Association during their Reunion visits.

Day One You are collected from your Norwich hotel following your breakfast and taken to the airfield of your choice for a general tour. Here you will be given and introduction to the Bomber War in which the Airmen of the US 8th Air Force fought and all too often died. Following your airfield visit you are taken to the Flixton Buck Public House for lunch. In the afternoon you visit the Norfolk Aviation Museum next door before returning to Norwich. In the evening you have the option of taking part in a guided stroll around the centre of the city that is designed to give you an understanding of the rest and recouperation enjoyed by the American Airmen.

Day Two

You are collected from your Norwich hotel following your breakfast and taken to the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. It is here that many of the gallent airmen who lost their lives during the sorties that they flew are buried and you will visit some of those associated with the airfield visited on day one.

Following the visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial you are taken to the Eagle Public House in Cambridge city centre for Lunch. This is the famous Public House frequented by airmen of the Second World War and is packed with memorabilia.

In the afternoon you are driven to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford where you have a chance to see up close the many aircraft on display before returning to your Norwich hotel.

The Airfield Options

Hardwick Airfield - Hardwick was home to the 93rd (Heavy) Bomber Group of the US 8th Air Force. Here you will have a private tour of the airfield and the opportunity to visit their small museum. On Fridays and weekends there is also a chance to see the P51 Mustang by prior arrangement and for an additional fee it is possible to take an optional flight in the Mustang (depending upon availability).

Old Buckenham Airfield - Old Buckenham was home to the 453rd (Heavy) Bomber Group of the US 8th Air Force. Here you will have a private tour of the airfield. Powered aircraft still fly from this airfield and an optional flight is available by prior arrangement for an additional fee (depending upon availability).

Parham Airfield - Parham was home to the 390th (Heavy) Bomber Group of the US 8th Air Force. Here you will have a private tour of the airfield and the opportunity to visit the 390th Group Memorial Air Museum as well as the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation and the Auxiliary Units.

Shipdham Airfield - Shipdham was home to the 44th (Heavy) Bomber Group of the US 8th Air Force. Here you will have a private tour of the airfield and visit the 44th Bomber Group Museum. Powered aircraft still fly from this airfield and an optional flight is available by prior arrangement for an additional fee (depending upon availability).

Tibenham Airfield - Tibenham was home to the 445th (Heavy) Bomber Group of the US 8th Air Force. Here you will have a private tour and take morning coffee in the club house that has a collection of photographs and archives relating to the American occupation of the airfield. It is possible to take an optional flight in a glider or motor glider for an additional fee (depending upon availability).

Thorpe Abbots Airfield - Thorpe Abbots was home to the 100th (Heavy) Bomber Group of the US 8th Air Force. Here you will have a private tour of the airfield and the opportunity to visit the control tower and small museum.

Price available on request.