AAF Station 128 Deenethorpe: Then and Now

[b29flteng]

I love these then and now photos, we need more.

[Lynn Allen]

Paul, thank you for your time and effort. Hope you will share some more with us...

Lynn

Last edited by Lynn Allen on Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[RAMC181]

Will do what I can...

Paul

[RAMC181]

No new photos yet this month I'm afraid, but I hope some extracts from the newly-received unit records will suffice to keep you interested.
They certainly give a unique glimpse into life at Deenethorpe as they experienced it...

First of all, part of the 401BG Medical Department's unit history from November 1943, when they saw the Base Hospital seen upthread for the first time:

On the morning of the 4th November 1943 the ground echelon had its first glimpse of the field. A skeleton RAF maintenance force occupied the field when we arrived and final construction had not yet been reached.

The Station Sick Quarters had been prepared for the entrance of the Bomb Group by a cadre of one medical officer and five enlisted men. These men were on temporary detachment from Polebrook. They were soon after assigned to the 379th Service Squadron which later became the 79th Station Complement Squadron.

The idea of a Station Sick Quarters was an entirely new one. All our training in the States had prepared the Group for a field type set up with the squadron as a unit. It was now clear that the simplest and most efficient method was to function as a Group and to use the Station Sick Quarters with its twenty-nine beds as a miniature station hospital. In order to administer the medical unit, as a detachment, permission was obtained from the Group and Squadron commanders to consolidate. Station Sick Quarters Memorandums were published as a basis for administration.

The Station Sick Quarters consisted of three large Nissen Huts connected by hallways. In addition there was another hut for the Decontamination Annex connected by yet another long hallway. These were finished well but lacked central heating.
There were two large wards, each of twelve bed capacity and an officers ward of four beds. In addition there was a private room to be used primarily for cases requiring sedation therapy.
The administrative end consisted of a large waiting room, treatment room, pharmacy and laboratory, sick and wounded office, office of the sergeant major, two dental offices and office of the surgeon.

Fast-forwarding to early 1945, here's a letter from the 614th Bomb Squadron C.O. to Group HQ, regarding the Squadron living area, again partially seen in previous photos in this thread:



And the reply:



All the best,
PB

[RAMC181]

Main Street, Benefield.
Cyclist entering the 614th Bomb Squadron Area under the "Screamin' Demons" sign on the left.

Then...



And now...



PB

[1bdvet]

Thanks for posting, always like to see pictures just the way you posted, what it was in it's glory, and today. I know when you look at it looks sad, and to all of us, it has the same feeling has you.
Thank you for your service.

[Adam Kline]

Thanks for sharing Paul. What I like about your pictures is that they are all from the original shot angle. My wife has a bunch of what I call "house porrnn magazines" you know what I am talking about. Magazines that show the before and after a remodel. What always irritates me is that the camera shot is never the same angle. How hard is that. Good show and thanks for sharing.

[RAMC181]

Ta guys, I do what I can.

[RAMC181]

A couple of stills from a 16mm movie that's turned up, showing a crew unloading on Dispersal 4 which still exists up by the remains of Home Farm Lodge at the north end of the airfield.
IW-R 42-97780 "Blue Bomb Express" was regularly parked on this particular dispersal from November 1944 at least, and as she was one of the aircraft with a camera on board during the mission the movie was filmed on this is most likely to be her crew too.

Comparison photos taken this month:









All the best,
PB

[RAMC181]

Communications Training Section outside Building 17 at Deenethorpe:



The wording over the door is still just about visible:

[cco23i]

One of these days Paul I WILL get back there and we can do some wandering around.

Scott

[RAMC181]

I look forward to it Scott.

[AG pilot]

The last photo of the men by the door and then the "now" image is chillingly awesome.

[tom d. friedman]

glad I don't do photo bucket, 1st you are hearing from a mid 50's guy caught in the technology / computer gap. I tried photo bucket, to no success or avail. some of the gang here have been kind to post my pics to you on the wix via email. i'm cruising through this post & I see recent pics deleted from wix posters after a very short time. what's the deal?? glad I haven't taken the time to try to post pics on photo bucket, my time is valuable, & I know my limitations. is there an easier venue??