Figure 1.-- Most of the American bases were built in East Anglia or just west of East Anglia in Cambridgeshire (1942). This was because this was the area of Britain close to Germany. The American bombers had long, but not unlimited ranges. East Anglia was perfectly situated to allow raids into most of the Reich. East Anglia is a largely agricultural area with small sedate villages. Then the Americans began arriving. Until 1942, the only Amerivans the vullagers knew about is what thhey had seen in the movies.

The Luftwaffe was able to bomb Britain (1940), because they had bases in France. Bombing Germany was a very different proposition. But America had bombers that could make it from East Anglia. Britain was essentially an unsinkable aircraft carrier off the coast of NAZI occupied Europe. Lieutenant General Henry "Hap" Arnold completed air plans for Operation BOLERO, the buildup of US armed forces in the UK for an attack on Europe (April 12, 1942). It was an enormous undertaking. Sites had to be selected for air fields and facilities built. There would eventually be 67 bomber stations and 200 airfields. And all crammed into a relatively small area of England -- not a large country to begin with. The British for over years had hooped the United States wiud join thec War. Funally they were here. In some cases, there were existing RAF bases that could be used, but usually needed to be expanded to accommodate heavy bombers. Most of the Americab bases ghad ti buuilt friom scratch. This was a major construction efforts. Grass airfields were usable for light aircraft like fighters. For heavy bombers you needed lengthy concrete strips. Most of the American bases were built in East Anglia or just west of East Anglia in Cambridgeshire. This was because this was the area of Britain close to Germany. The American bombers had long, but not unlimited ranges. East Anglia was perfectly situated to allow raids into most of the Reich. The planes had to be brought in across the North Atlantic in hops from Labrador, Greenland, and Iceland, often through horrendous weather conditions. Much equipment had to be shipped by boats through U-boat-infested waters. Many of the air crews that arrived had only minimal training so a major training effort had to be established.

Created: 9:06 AM 10/21/2024
Last updated: 9:06 AM 10/21/2024