Dunkeswell Wartime Buildings Appeal.
June 2008

Dear Friends, There are many buildings that still exist today from WWII left standing around Dunkeswell airfield. One of them is the administration complex (shown in picture) plus the control tower, two fire tender sheds, armory buildings, under ground battle headquarters and many more. These buildings were used by the U.S. Navy fleet air wing 7 group, this was the only U.S navy base in England to patrol and defend the supply convoys to England from attacks by U- boats and surface vessels which were out in the Atlantic and the bay of Biscay. A feasibility study was put together for Dunkeswell Memorial Museum back in 1998, also there were meetings with the M.O.D, COUNCILS, SCHOOLS, TOURISM CENTRES, IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, PLUS MANY MORE. There was an agreement with the M.O.D. that when they were able to release these buildings they would be handed over to Dunkeswell Memorial Museum, Subject to raising the necessary capital. There is now an urgent appeal to raise funds for the museum to purchase the wartime buildings as the M.O.D are releasing them very shortly. If you could find it in your hearts to give a donation to this good cause with a letter of support indicating your wishes that we have the buildings to house the museum and artifacts etc within them, (at least the wartime buildings will be there for all the next generation to see.) This will be a permanent memorial building for the Dunkeswell Memorial Museum, for all who served at Dunkeswell during WW11, including the 183 officers and men who lost their lives to give us all our freedom, plus 49 by road accidents and all PB4Y-1 Liberator crews also missing in action.

The Administration Complex The Control Tower and Associated Buildings

"US B-36 bomber flew 30 miles without a crew".
July 2006

On February 2nd, 1953, eighteen Convair B‑36 bombers of the United States Air Force (USAF) deployed to RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. As part of a unit simulated combat mission codenamed "Operation Style show". The bombers came from the 7th. Bombardment Wing, based at Carswell AFB in Texas, with six aircraft from the 9th. Bomb Squadron (BS), six from the 436th. BS, and six from the 492nd. BS. On 2nd. and 3rd. of February, 1953, the aircraft flew from Carswell to the staging base at Goose Bay, Labrador. On February 6th. the aircraft then took off from Canada, with one machine returning to Carswell, while the remaining 17 set course for the UK. However, as the formation approached Fairford in the morning of February 7th., the weather had worsened. This did not make things easy for the Wing as they brought the B‑36's in to land.

One particular aircraft, B‑36H 51‑5719 of the 492nd. BS, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Gerick, experienced two missed GCA approaches to land and, following a long period of holding while the other B‑36's landed, was suffering from fuel starvation. Thus Gerick decided to abandon his aircraft. Other causes of the crash were seen as under manning of the aircraft and inexperienced GCA personnel. Rather than risk the lives of people on the ground, Gerick aimed the B‑36 to crash in open country. All of the 14‑man crew bailed out successfully, but one suffered a broken leg upon reaching the ground.

Donation of an engine Intercooler from this aircraft.

On the 10th July 2006, Mr Paul Moran kindly donated an Intercooler from this aircraft to the museum which he, along with others, had excavated from the site.

       

Kaye and Shirley Sharland accepting the Intercooler from Paul Moran.