On the east side of Higham Road.

A trapezoidal stone plinth, topped by a triangle G sign (the 305^th BG’s tail code), set on a stone base that is surmounted by a pole with a weather vane with a B17 bomber silhouette at the top. The plinth bears three trapezoidal plaques that contain the inscriptions. The front plaque contains the dedication message, then, the lists of the flying units and support units of the 305^th BG on the right-hand side, and the 8^th Air Force insignia on the left-hand side. The monument has four stone pillars with chains at the front and one pillar at the back. Each pillar is printed with the group’s four operational squadrons’ names and insignias. The monument stands on a paved area enclosed by a low brick wall at the rear. A plaque giving details of benefactors and makers of the memorial has been placed over the wall. The monument was dedicated on May 26, 2007, and was rededicated on May 27, 2017.

The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy) comprised the 364th, 365th, 366th & 422nd Bomb Squadrons of the 40th Combat Wing of the 1st Air Division of the US 8th Air Force, who operated out of RAF Chelveston between 1942-1945.

The 305th Bomb Group, known as the "Can Do" group completed 480 missions, flying B-17 "Flying Fortresses". They lost 158 aircraft and 769 personnel died whilst carrying out 9,231 aircraft sorties.

Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.chelveston-pc.gov.uk

Source of images: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk

Front plaque:

This monument is dedicated in gratitude to the memory of the men who served with the

305th Bombardment Group flying from the Chelveston airfield one mile SE of this site during

World War II. The group flew 480 missions and 769 men were killed with many more wounded

in action. This pole was the wind sock mast which proudly dominated the roof of the main hangar.

Right-hand side plaque:

Left-hand side plaque:

(-8^th Air Force insignia-)

Proud to be part of the 8th Air Force of the United States of America

Plaque over the wall at the rear:

A Memorial of Thanks

By Margaret L. Hawkins

This Monument is a memorial of thanks

To the American men we called The Yanks

These men so brave, heroic that's true

Gave their lives for me and you

That we might live a life to be

Of Perfect Peace, Forever free

Always ready to fight the foe

At first alert away they would go

These men who flew high in the sky

Daring and Fearless, too young to die

Their fate unknown upon this morn

Often they flew at the break of dawn

Some never to return again

Leaving memories of brave young men

Many times we watched in tears

If only, we could turn back the years

Instead we give our heartfelt thanks

To the American men we called The Yanks

Benefactors plaque:

This memorial to the 305th B.G. was built with the generous support of benefactors from across the world and by a dedicated team of volunteers who gave their time and expertise to ensure that the brave contributions of the 305th Bombardment Group would be remembered for ever.

The original memorial on the East wall of the clock tower of the St John the Baptist Church was dedicated in September 1980.

(-lists of the benefactors-)

305th Bombardment Group Memorial

Re-Dedicated 27th May 2017

This memorial to the 305th B.G. was re-dedicated on the 10th anniversary of its original dedication as a renewal of the commitment by the parish to ensure that the brave contributions of the 305th Bombardment Group would be remembered for ever.