Hethel
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STATION 114
389th Bomb Group -June 1943 to May 1945
Location:
The former airfield at Hethel is situated just to the east of Wymondham, which is about seven miles south-west of Norwich on the main A11 trunk road to London.
All sites are now private property and permission must be obtained prior to visiting. Please contact Memorial Library staff.
Remaining buildings, etc.:
Lotus cars now own this site and very little of the runways, perimeter track or handstands remain. Lotus use the former hangars, now extensively modified, and other buildings on the old technical site for the manufacture of their cars. Several new buildings have also been built on the site.
Very little remains of any buildings on the dispersed sites around Hethel Wood; the only thing of real interest being a former gymnasium which became a chapel. On the end wall of this chapel, behind where the altar formerly stood, is a crucifix painted by "Bud" Doyle who was assistant to the Roman Catholic chaplain, Father Beck. It was painted in early 1944 and remains in good condition. The chapel has recently undergone extensive restoration carried out by a group of volunteers with the full support of the landowner. The chapel is on private property. Permission to view must be arranged with the Memorial Library, or with one of the local contacts.
The former 2nd Air Division Headquarters at Ketteringham Hall lies just to the north of the airfield. Group Lotus use it for their headquarters.
Memorials:
In June 1946 a memorial plaque was dedicated in Carleton Rode Church, in memory of 17 members of the 389th Bomb Group who were killed in a mid-air collision over the parish on 21st November, 1944. A stained glass window in the church is also dedicated to the crew members killed in this collision. Carleton Rode is situated about six miles south-west of Hethel off the B1113.
A Memorial Headstone is located in the Hethel Churchyard and the 389th Roll of Honor is housed inside Hethel Church. Located six miles from Norwich, going out on the B1113, turn right in Bracon Ash Village, follow the road until you come to a crossroads, go straight over and the church is on the right, about 1/2mile past the crossroads.
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Revised 12 July 2007
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