THORPE ABBOTTS Thorpe Abbotts Control Tower is a great place to visit, the first time I went there I was browsing the stories and memorabilia for 5 hours, and I still hadn't seen everything. I've been there three times now and all three times I was treated to a fantastic P51 flypast courtesy of local man Maurice Hammond.  Other planes make a regular appearance too - Yak, Stearman, and much more!  So you never know what you may see when you visit. The 100th Bomb Group flew its first combat mission from Thorpe Abbots on June 25, 1943, and its last on April 20, 1945. During those 22 months, some 7,000 men and a few women were stationed at Thorpe Abbotts. They flew 306 missions including six food drops to the Netherlands in May, 1945. They were credited with 8630 sorties; they dropped 19,257.1 tons of bombs plus 435.1 tons of food on mercy missions. In 1943, the average life of an 8th Air Force B-17 crew was eleven missions. In 1943-1945, the 100th lost 177 aircraft missing in action plus 52 lost due to operational accidents, making a total of 229. The 100th was not the Group with the highest losses in the 8th, but since its losses often came many at a time, it soon acquired the reputation of a hard-luck outfit and the name "The Bloody Hundredth". This tower is SO worth a visit, it is run by a very friendly bunch of people who are happy to answer your questions and walk around with you. Standing on the balcony of the Control Tower looking out over the remains of the main runway was very atmospheric - in the quiet spring day with a gentle breeze and the sun on your face, you can almost imagine the personnel going about their business as they wait for the bombers to return home after another mission. The Bloody Hundredth was the inspiration for the very famous film "Twelve O'Clock High" starring Gregory Peck. The Tower is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am, and Wednesdays too but only in the summer months. Click HERE for the 100th Bomb Group homepage, and HERE for the Control Tower homepage. Use the left and right arrows to scroll through the thumbnails, click each thumbnail to see an enlargement.

Exterior shot The original wartime concrete surrounding the tower had to be torn up due to excess cracks, holes and the insurance risks. How many airmen stood at these railings scanning the skies for returning bombers? A view from the roof of the remaining perimiter track and part of the runways Another view from the roof towards the cafe and museum buildings The rebuilt observation room Memorial plaques near the tower entrance View towards the Varian centre, one of the last remaining wartime buildings View from inside the tower with original artwork from the Officer's Lounge on the right Exhibition of original GI flight clothing So much memorabilia to see.... Relax in the cafe Plenty of souvenirs and books about the 8th AF This room documents the main missions of the 100th Duck!! Huge B17 model flies out at you This mural was preserved from one of the now demolished original wartime buildings P51 Mustang buzzes the tower Emergency Control Bunker This is situated on the edge of Thorpe Wood and would have been used as a Control Centre if anything had happened to the main tower. View of the Tower from the bunker Another tower view from the rifle slits Unfortunately it's almost overgrown, but still accessible...... Found near the entrance All interior pictures are a testimony to my digital camera flash - the bunker was pitch dark inside! Ladder up to the roof Interior brickwork not bad for 60+ years old! The main runway looking down towards the tower Old buildings in the forest on the outskirts of the old peri track The breeze-block walls were added later on when families lived in these huts after the war. Toilet is original though I think!