Martin Bowman - 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force USAF 1942-45. Flying Fortress & Liberator Squadrons in Norfolk & Suffolk

Description: American bomber base used by the 94th Bomb Group.

Location: 2 miles east of Bury St. Edmunds on A14.

Directions: Watch for sign for Rougham Industrial Estate and follow signs for the control tower. For Flying Fortress pub, continue on minor road off A14, ignoring road at left to technical site.

Comments: In the town centre of Bury St Edmunds is the Old English Rose Garden located in the Abbey grounds which pays homage to those lost in service with the 94th Bomb Group in WW2. At the entrance is a plaque reading:

The construction of this old English rose garden is due to the generosity of an American friend of this borough Mr. John Appleby, who was stationed near Bury St. Edmunds during the war whilst a member of the United States Eighth Air Force. Mr Appleby became very attached to this old town and its historic associations and also to the surrounding countryside with its numerous picturesque villages and fine churches. His regard and affection for this portion of England and its people is portrayed in his book Suffolk Summer written after his return to the United States. The Royalties from the sales of this book have been generously given to the Borough for making and effecting improvements to this Rose Garden.

Inside the garden is a memorial to the 94th Bombardment Group, Squadrons 331st, 332nd, 333rd, 410th and supporting units US Army Air Forces, 15 October 1977. A B-17 is illustrated as well as the star-and-bars insignia of the USAAF. A second plaque reads: Presented to the people of Bury St Edmunds, a memorial honouring those men of the 94th Bombardment Group who gave their lives during World War II. 4th Combat Bombardment Wing, 8th Air Force, Rougham Airfield, Bury St Edmunds, 1943-1945.

Also in the garden are three memorial seats, one of which is of aircraft alloy from a B-17 and inscribed: 1945 Presented to the City of Bury St Edmunds by the US Army Air Forces. The others are wooden and were presented by the 94th Bomb Group Memorial Association and the 364th Fighter Group, which was based at Honington in 1944-45.

The control tower, which became a permanent dwelling 1945-1983 and was known as Tower House, is now the Museum. The Rougham Tower Association was formed by a group of local people in July 1993 with the aim of restoring the airfield control tower to its original condition. The Association became a Registered Charity in 1998. Entrance to the museum is free, except on event days. The museum is open every Sunday from the first Sunday in May until the last Sunday in October, normally between 11am and 4pm. Other times by appointment. During your visit you will be able to see what progress has been made to date and learn a little of the history of the Association and the Tower itself. To Join The Rougham Tower Association contact The Secretary, Rougham Tower Association, The Control Tower, Rougham Industrial Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, P30 9XA. You will receive a quarterly newsletter Rougham Roundup plus discount on items purchased in the PX shop. Tel: 01359-271471 Fax 01449-737136. Email: tower@rougham.org website: www.rougham.org For Airfield Events see www.roughamairfield.org or Tel: 01359 270238.

On unclassified road 2 miles E of Bury St Edmunds is The Flying Fortress public house, which opened in December 1988 on the edge of the former airfield, featuring a B-17 on its sign. The refurbished building was previously a farm managers house and during the war was used by the USAAF as the HQ of a ground unit. The car park is part of the old perimeter track.