As the LRE UK branch continues to grow, we are pleased to announce two new partners, Parham Airfield and Bawdsey Radar Trust, located in East Anglia, one of the focus areas of LRE UK. Building on the Masters of the Air inspired Themed Route launched in January, work continues to bring this beautiful, historically significant area into the LRE network.
Parham Airfield Museum opened in 1981 as a memorial to the 743 young airmen, mainly of the 390th Bomb Group (Heavy) United States Army Air Force (USAAF), who were based at Station 153 Framlingham between 1943 and 1945. The centre also houses the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation, dedicated to the men and women of the Auxiliary Units who were trained in underground resistance in case of invasion and occupation. The museum houses extensive collections of artefacts, archives and memorabilia relating mainly to the air war over Europe and the Resistance Organisation.
The museum will soon commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in which the 390th Bomb Group took part, flying three missions on 6 June. Additionally, several thousand auxiliaries joined the Special Air Service, with many sent to France for sabotage operations behind German lines. The museum maintains strong links with the families of US veterans and members of the secret resistance forces.
“We are proud to become part of LRE, which matches our mission to show visitors how an earlier generation were prepared to give their all to defend freedom. All is quiet on the old airfield now and dozens of B17s no longer lift off the runways, but we will not forget... [LRE] is great to become part of a movement that seeks to encourage visits to our site in a sustainable way.” – Peter Senior, Chair of Trustees at Parham Airfield Museum.
The Bawdsey Radar Trust focuses on preserving the history of radar technology and was founded in 2003 as the Bawdsey Radar Group, following a high turnout of 950 visitors to the newly opened transmitter block in July 2003. The museum stands on the site of the world’s first fully operational radar station. This station marked the beginning of the construction of a chain of radar stations all along the coast, designed as an early warning system to protect Britain during World War Two. The Bawdsey Radar Museum tells the story of radar from its beginnings to modern times and is situated adjacent to the Suffolk Coast Path. This sixty-mile trail from historic Landguard Point in Felixstowe to Lowestoft is a path which passes along the length of Suffolk’s beautiful Heritage Coast”
“The Bawdsey Radar Trust is delighted to commence its cooperation with the LRE Foundation in extending its memorial trail connecting WWII remembrance sites and stories across Europe.” – Peter Wain, Bawdsey Radar Trust Trustee.
