Comments on: RAF Bodney – Norfolk

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:37:48 +0000

Hi Meriel,
I am more acquainted with the 352nd FG but I do have the RAF interest at Bodney at heart as well. Give me a bit of time and I will try to get some information for you. If you have any more information this would possibly help.

By: Meriel Bacigalupo ( nee Gittins, Harper)

Meriel Bacigalupo ( nee Gittins, Harper) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:44:09 +0000

I would love to know more about my uncle, Pilot officer Courtney John Harper, from Cinco Saltos, Rio Negro Argentina, who volunteered to go to the second world war , I am not sure of his dates but he was born in July, probably 1918. All I know is that he belonged to the 82nd squadron in Bodney, Norfolk, and that he was shot down on a mission to Mazingarbe. Neither his Blenheim plane, nor his body were ever found presumed sunk in the English Channel. but I was informed that his name is commemorated on panel32 of the Runnymede Memorial.
I live in Santiago Chile, and the Harpers in Argentina have not survived, except for a niece of Courtneys. But she has no further information either.
Now with internet I am hoping that there may be some records I could consult….
Hopefully
Meriel

By: mark

mark — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:10:05 +0000

i m sorry for the delaybill, havent been on here for while, will send you an email. at current steps to bunker are full of soil so couldnt go down had look round woods found foundations with a chimney still standing not sure what that was also possibly toilet block ???? few cubicals in a building near the tower also near what we call pil box at the side of the road did this you to be a petrol pump ? the building with a pit in it i think was the fire station found a few more bunkers near the tar mac pads wear the air craft were tetered down

By: Bill Espie

Bill Espie — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:57:36 +0000

Mark,
Can I contact you? I am the contact for the 352nd Fighter Group in England and also my father helped to build the airfield in WWll, his first major project was the Tower that is just about standing. I lived in Great Cressingham until I was 8 1/2 years old, I will be in the area on Saturday morning 21st May.
Can contact me at: waspph@yahoo.co.uk

By: mark

mark — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:30:51 +0000

i work for bowes farms who own bodney contol tower, and work the land around the area, i was looking round it today in my dinner break certainly many stories to be told and history there

By: DAVID DALLISON

DAVID DALLISON — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:12:52 +0000

I drove past Bodney on 25th April on my way home from Norwich ,and looked for some info when i got home,and found this site.Iam a member of the B-17 Preservation group(Sally B) and frequently visit Duxford,I have visited a few of the 8th AAF sites ,Deenethorpe,Grafton Underwood,Kings Cliffe and Polebrook and agree with previous comments that they are peaceful ,serene places,a bit different to 65 years ago!
I hope to visit the 100th BG museum at Thorpe Abbotts soon and would be grateful if anyone could suggest any other sites and museums worth visiting nearby.

By: michael wilson

michael wilson — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:41:12 +0000

Hi, I first “discovered” Bodney in 1970 while looking for old 8th AF bases. I was amazed, standing there on a warm autumn day, how tranquil and atmospheric the place was. It looked as if no one had done much since the last truck rolled out through the gate in 1945.
I still visit when in the area, but I tread lightly It is an important memorial to those who served there, and who played no small part in the largest aerial confrontation in history.

By: Bill Espie

Bill Espie — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:08:02 +0000

Stuart, You need to get in touch with Bob Powell of the 352nd FG association he and your uncle were good friends and Bob often talked about him at the reunions. There was one other British pilot who flew with the 352nd and that was Ted King, who has passed away now, but he also knew your uncle. Contact me at: waspph@yahoo.co.uk

By: Stuart Law

Stuart Law — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:55:23 +0000

My uncle (Lieutenant “Dickie” Law) may have been the only Englishman to fly with the 352/328 Fighter Group at Bodneyin July and August 1944, can any of the veterans be asked if they remember him?

By: TONY ACE GIFFORD

TONY ACE GIFFORD — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:04:10 +0000

hi, i live at lakenheath which is about 15 mls away .i am going to BODNEY on thursday to take some photos you only need to to walk through the farm gate if you see any one in truck or on tractor stop them and ask permission and you will get it. tony