Rally Roll Call 2008

[Trevor Wilkinson]

I am afraid that I can't help you with an answer to that Chris, but if you try to relax and sit quietly for a while it may come back to you. THE MAIN THING IS NOT TO LET IT WORRY YOU!!!!!

[Ian Grace]

The Rally webpage went live on the website last night, complete with downloadable entry form, and also included the great news that we have booked Fiona Harrison for Saturday night at the airfield.

Fiona specialises in nostalgic forties shows and has performed on Gold Beach to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy landings. This should be a great show.

http://www.fionaharrison.com/

[chris lambert]

The Anglians saw Fiona singing at Sherringham Station during last September's sojourn to North Norfolk whilst the North Norfolk Railway were holding their Forties weekend. She was that good she prompted Trevor and Sylvia to provide an impromptu jive performance on the platform. Ive got a photo somewhere.....
Chris

[chris lambert]

I have been doing a fair bit of reading lately, most of which has been related to the forthcoming rally. For those of you with an interest in both the area and the period in question, a very good pre rally read would be:

Friendly Invasion (Memories of Operation Bolero) by Henry Buckton published by Phillimore and Co. Ltd at £9.99.

This book is a collection of memories from both U.S. personnel who served in the U.K. and the locals who encountered them. An insight into the clash of cultures with many anecdotes, some hilarious, some tragic but all very informative. The book paints a very vivid picture of life close to the bases at which these men served.

For an in depth appraisal of a bomber crew's war, the following book has captured crew members stories from both R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F. personnel. who served on the heavies throughout the period in question. They relate the horrors of their missions in a detached 'fly on the wall' manner, almost as if they were not part of it. It is a thought provoking book which left me with an uncomfortable feeling when I put it down.

Round the Clock by Philip Kaplan and Jack Currie published by Cassell Paperbacks at £14.99 (The price may now be incorrect as it was purchased about 5 years ago.)

The next book is the definitive book on the 100th Bomb Group.

Century Bombers (The story of the Bloody Hundreth) by Richard Le Strange published by 100th Bomb Group Museum price £20

The book is available through the Museum (contact through their web site) A complete wartime history of the group taking the reader through it's birth pangs in December 1942 right through the intensive training period in the U.S. and onto it's operational spell at Thorpe Abbotts and beyond - concluding in December 1945. I can't do this book justice in just a few words, but a real historical document, with many photographs, some taken by aircrew whilst on their missions and over the target!

Finally for those of you who may want to steal a march on your rally collegues next July, the next book could be a good source for answers to potential rally questions. The book is:

Suffolk Airfields in the Second World War by Graham Smith published by Countryside Books at £12.95

The book covers all of Suffolks wartime airfields alphabetically from Beccles to Woodbridge and follows their story throughout the period, including full details of the units that served there. This is not just a reference book but a further insight into the impact that the progress of the war had on largely rural communities. An important companion for any trip to Suffolk.

None of the above is what I would call essential reading (unlike the maps!), but of the many books I have read recently these stand out. There are many others available which describe aspects of the war in East Anglia which will paint the necessary 'background' picture for intended participants in the rally.
Chris

[Ian Grace]

And all these books are essential reading for those even thinking of entering the Navigation Rally.

[Ian Grace]

I have about 19 spare pages in the 80-page 2008 Yearbook (depending on final advert count), so if anyone has any material they would like to offer, that would be great. Also, any suggestions for additional content? I have some great high res period images this time, and I'm planning on many of the photo pages - if not all - to be run off on a colour Laerjet. The proofs I have printed so far look spectacular.

[Ian Grace]

Some sobering images of 100th BG losses. The last image is the 91st BG's Wee Willie going down. This photo is part of a sequence of photos taken on April 8, 1945. Wee Willie was on its 128th mission when it was struck by flak while flying over its bombing target. It was the next to last B-17 from the 91st which was lost in combat.

Makes you think.

[chris lambert]

Two books I should have included amongst the earlier list are:

Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War - the companion book to the Suffolk title, but includes Thorpe Abbotts, Fersfield and Old Buckenham airfields, i.e. rally H.Q. and a couple of potential rally calling in sites amongst many others!

The second book has been in and out of print since 1948 and is now available in its thirteenth impression. This book was written by a serving American airmen immediatly after the war and recalls his memories of the sights and sounds of rural Suffolk. This is not a war memoir, but a narrative on the impact the county had on a young 'foreign' visitor towards the end of the war. He served at both Lavenham and at Thorpe Abbotts and cycled around the county as a 'tourist' at every available opportunity. Royalties from his book contribute to the upkeep of the 'Old English Rose Gardens' in the Abbey grounds at Bury St. Edmunds.

Suffolk Summer by John T. Appleby published by The Alastair Press at £7.99

Chris

[chris lambert]

I am currently reading a book concerning the 381st bomb group based at Ridgewell in Cambs., namely 'Combat Crew' by John Comer. In it he provides an insight as to how the Bloody 100th obtained it's epithet. It makes for interesting reading:

[chris lambert]

I have just been sent a poster and a 2008 venue listing by Fiona Harrison's agent. I daren't put the poster up anywhere or we may get swamped!! I am sure Tony G. will be mightily impressed by what's underneath Fiona's elbow in the gig listing!!

[Tony Gamble]

Wow !!

I thought you meant the first poster initially , and saw the words " '40's big band" !!

This in itself impressed me , because like Halbe I play saxophone in a big band , playing Glenn Miller , Tommy Dorsey etc ..
and I thought this is what you meant.

However.

Moving on to the second poster , I then saw what you meant.

Very impressive , but mine is somewhat less impressive at the moment , being stripped for action. Plus the facr that mine is a two seat open sports !

Nevertheless , Chris , you are doing a very good PR job on this rally !

Cheers

Tony G

[Tony Gamble]

Post Script !!

If we have enough musicians in the club we might actually provide a " big band " too !!

Tony G

[halbe]

Hello Tony,

Maybe we can do a smallband swing session on the friday or saturdaynight.
I'll bring my horn ,is there a rhytme section in the club?????
We would only need a bass and piano/guitar player.

Halbe

[chris lambert]

Tony,
Unfortunately VMR funds don't run to the live Big Band accompaniment, but she will be singing along to a very posh (and expensive) sound system which will be the highspot of the evening, unless we can persuade both you and Halbe to perform on your saxes!
Chris

[Tony Gamble]

To be honest , Chris , and not wishing to be a spoilsport , it will be nice to be at a 40's night where I am not playing for a change , and perhaps appreciate things from the floor !

Sorry ,Halbe !

Tony G