A new DVD commemorating the life and history of Boxted Airfield is being launched on Saturday.
It is the culmination of a project by the Boxted Airfield Historical Group.
The DVD includes interview with five veterans as well as five local people, including a centenarian’s recollections of the airfield, plus original Second World footage of the squadrons based at the site in action.
It also includes a tour of the airfield, in Langham, as it is today and tells the story of a Medal of Honour given to a fighter pilot stationed there, plus the impact it had on the surrounding villages, including some amusing stories.
Group chairman Richard Turner said: “The most important aim of the DVD is to educate the public about the airfield’s history.
“It was one of the most important American fighter bases in the UK, and had one of the top-scoring units and top-pilots in Europe – it is this heritage we want to pass on.
“We also want to remember the 98 men lost when flying from the airfield, which is relatively low compared to some but still too many.
“The airfield covered two farms and had 3,000 personnel with more than 800 aircraft – as well as a runway the length of Stansted Airport’s. This was a substantial enterprise”
The launch event will include some footage as well as a talk from airfield veteran Peter Potter who flew 33 missions as a tail gunner on Lancaster bombers before being stationed at Boxted in charge of flight control.
Profits from the DVD sales will fund a new third building at the airfield to display the only surviving section of a B26 Marauder bomber in the UK, which is on a ten-year loan to the group.
The launch event takes place at Boxted Village Hall from 7.30pm on Saturday. Entrance is by donation.
The DVD costs £9.95 and is available to buy online from Saturday at the group’s website or by cheque by calling 07503 952354.
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