Parham Airfield Museum

The site is also home to the British Resistance Organisation Museum, telling the story of the secret auxiliary units trained to fight a guerrilla war if the Nazis had invaded Britain. THE only museum in the UK dedicated to these units, which remained secret until the 1990s.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

The airfield was built for the USAAF in 1942 by British contractors. They laid half a million tonnes of concrete and four and a half million bricks, providing 3 diagonal runways, facilities for 50 B17 heavy bombers and accommodation for 3000 personnel. The 95th BG were stationed there in May and June 1943. The 390th arrived in July and left two years later. having flown 301 missions. Their final missions were to drop food to the starving Dutch in April 1945. Of the men based at Framlingham, 743 were killed.

The auxiliary units were trained to cause mayhem using the latest techniques for demolition and assassination. Established by Col. Gubbins in 1940, they were only stood down in late 1944 once it was known that D Day has been a success. They also provided intelligence and used radios to confuse the enemy about allied intentions in 1944.

WHAT’S AT THE MUSEUM?

The museum opened in 1981 after a small band of enthusiasts had restored the tower at their own expense. It is now Charity 1201587, run entirely by volunteers who have extensive contacts with American veterans and their families and access to numerous archives. Allow at least two hours to see the extensive range of exhibits, view the old airfield from Flying Control and experience tour replica of the secret Operational Base used by the local Stratford St. Andrew auxiliary patrol.

There are numerous original artefacts on display.

In 1944 the 390th won the Eighth Air Force softball trophy and Glenn Miller played to an estimated 6000 people in one of the hangars. The trophy and the hangar are there for visitors to see!

There is a cafe serving light refreshments and a shop offering clothing, souvenir items and books. Parking is free. Facilities include a grass picnic area, children’s trail and other hands-on exhibits, disabled toilets and baby changing.

Dogs are welcome.

Free admission, donations welcome.