Military enthusiasts may find it worth a day trip away from Cambridgeshire
Not too far away from Cambridge sits a former RAF base that was used by the US military during D-Day. With an impressive display of military uniforms and a nostalgic reconstruction of a US World War II airplane’s cockpit, a visit to the Boxted Airfield Museum should be on any military enthusiast’s tick-list.
Tucked away in the north-eastern Essex countryside, around 90 minutes from Cambridge, Boxted Airfield was built in 1941 and opened in 1943 when the 386th Bomb Group arrived. The medium bomber group was involved in bombing missions in support of Allied forces, destroying strategic targets, particularly in Europe.
The 386th only stayed for three months however, before being transferred to Dunmow in September 1943. The 354th Fighter Group came to Boxted in November 1943 and flew the Merlin-engined P51b Mustang.
This fighter group’s primary responsibility was to escort bombers on their missions over the continent and eventually all the way to Germany. The 354th left Boxted in March 1944 and moved to an advanced landing ground at Lashenden in Kent to prepare for D-Day.
The 56th Group, who are generally regarded as being the top-scoring US fighter group of the Second World War, arrived at Boxted in April 1944. The 56th took part in all the major air battles during their stay at Boxted, including D-Day and the battle of the Bulge.
They gained the nickname Wolfpack because of the number of high scoring pilots in the unit. Throughout their time in combat the group flew the P47 Thunderbolt, the heaviest fighter in WW2.
The role of the group was escorting the bombers over enemy territory. As the war in Europe came to an end and with the Luftwaffe virtually defeated, the Wolfpack would attack ground targets.
The 56th Group stayed at Boxted until the end of the war in Europe, returning home by the end of October 1945. The airfield was then handed to the British RAF before closing in late 1947.
Anyone with an interest in the war or military history should consider a trip to the Boxted Airfield Museum. It is home to a collection of uniforms, including the uniform of Captain Jack Norton who served at Boxted as a Signals Officer attached to the 354th. There is also an impressive recreation of a B26 Marauder aircraft cockpit, incorporating artefacts from the museum’s collection and loaned items from Marauder enthusiasts.
The museum is next open on May 31 between 10am and 4pm. It is open on the last Sunday of every month until October. There is a suggested admission donation of £5 per adult with accompanied children free.

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