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Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum - 356th Fighter Group

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Details:

Situated at the rear of Parkers Place, (off Eagle Way).

Museum


A museum located in the former Control Tower of USAAF Station 369, RAF Martlesham Heath Station.

 

The museum includes exhibits to the station's use during both World War 1 and 2. During WW1 the station served as a Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) Station.  During WW2, the airfield was unusually used both by the RAF and by the 356th Fighter Group.

 

The 356th Fighter Group was known as  “The Blue Diamonds” and as “The Martlesham Playboys”. Aircraft of the 356th were identified by a magenta/blue diamond pattern around their cowling.

 

The 356th Fighter Group (FG) flew 413 missions between 15 October 1943 and 7 May 1945; the Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its support of the airborne invasion of Holland in mid September 1944. 


Look for exhibits on Jeep the Coyote, the Mascot of the 356th  FG (See Site Playford; Jeep NMI Coyote Plaque this website for more on Jeep). 


The 356th FG was commanded by the namesake of Malmstrom Airbase in the US, Colonel Einar Malmstrom until April 23, 1944 when he was shot down and taken as a POW where he commanded the POWs at the South Compound of Stalag Luft I in Barth, Germany.

 

A nearby monument (Barracks Square) and stained glass window (St Michael's and All Angels on The Heath Church) also remember the service of the 356th Fighter Group.


Source:http://www.mhas.org.uk/index.html

Monument Text:

 

Commemorates:

People:

John W. 'Wild Bill' Crump

Einar Axel Malmstrom

Leroy Means 'Sully' Sullivan

Units:

356th Fighter Group

359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group

360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group

361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group

8th Air Force

Royal Air Force (RAF)

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Flying Corps

Wars:

WWI

WWII

Battles:

Battle of Britain

Other images :