5th Emergency Rescue Squadron Memorial
Details:
The extreme left memorial.
A grey granite stone tablet mounted on a base. Inscribed on the front face is the dedication message in Engish with 3 depictions of the 8th Air Force insignia (top-center), 5th Rescue Squadron insignia (mid-center), and the OA-10 Catalina amphibian aircraft (bottom-center).
In January 1945 the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron moved to Halesworth from RAF Boxted with special P-47s, OA-10 Catalina amphibians, and Boeing SB-17 Fortresses equipped with lifeboats for air-sea rescue work. The 5th ERS remained active, and it conducted many rescues until the end of hostilities.
Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk
Source of images: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.tracesofwar.com
Monument Text:
(-8th Air Force insignia-)
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
THE 5TH EMERGENCY
RESCUE SQUADRON (U.S.A.A.F.)
(5th ERS insignia-)
THE 5TH E.R.S. CARRIED OUT SEARCH
AND RESCUE MISSIONS FROM HOLTON
AIRFIELD BETWEEN JANUARY AND MAY 1945
PICKING UP DOWNED ALLIED AIRCREW
FROM THE PERILOUS NORTH SEA
OA10A CATALINA AMPHIBIAN
P47 THUNDERBOLT SPOTTER
BOAT CARRYING B17 FLYING FORTRESS
AIRCRAFT WERE USED
(-OA10A Catalina depiction-)
Commemorates:
Units:
5th Emergency Rescue Squadron
8th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :