Episode 1 - Deopham Green

Welcome to the Air War Trail’s First Episode!

Hey everyone, welcome the Air War Trail’s Channel. If you’re passionate about military history and want to know more of the untold stories from the front lines of the air war, in the air and on the homefront, you’re in the right place.

Before we dive into this first episode, make sure you are subscribed to the Air War Trail’s Channel, so you never miss an episode. The Channel offers sneak preview to huge archive of documentary films and firsthand video interviews of the Yanks and the British families who lived the history of the air war in the European Theater of Operations. And if you want to see the full-length documentaries, exclusive interviews, and rare photographs and other bonus materials that you won’t find anywhere else subscribe now.

Your membership not only gives you access to all this incredible content, but it also helps us continue our mission to preserve these important stories for generations to come. Now on to our episode, let’s get started!

This story begins with how the East Anglia Air War Project got started and led me to the Air War Trail across England, Schweinfurt, Germany, and to the far reaches of the United States. The journey began in 2002 and continues today as books and documentary films tell the story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Historian’s Video Journal - How it all began

Deopham Green

Deopham Green tells the dramatic story of the men of the 452nd Bomb Group and the British families who lived on or near their base at Deopham Green in World War II England. The documentary begins with the Pearl Harbor attack and the story of activation and training in the United States. The film tracks the air crews and ground personnel as they acquire the tools of war and then make their way to England and the front lines of the air war in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).

This documentary contains eyewitness accounts from both American Army Air Force servicemen and British family members as they remember the air war over German-held territory, and the stories of sacrifice and courage that played out every day at Deopham Green and over the skies of Europe. This film provides an exciting look into the human side of war as nearby British families suffered the threat of German air attacks and wartime sacrifices while ground crews labored to keep the B-17 flying, and the air crews struggled to beat the odds over Nazi Europe. Deopham Green is the breath-taking story of ordinary people rising to greatness in the struggle against darkness and evil. Winston Churchill’s words certainly apply to Deopham Green and her people, both British and American: “This is their finest hour.”

Some of the themes in the film include:

Reactions to Pearl Harbor by men who knew that war was coming on the heels of the Japanese attack
Life in Deopham Green during the war for British families and the Yanks
A close look at combat missions and the toll that it took on the men of the 452nd Bomb Group in the skies over Europe
The Red Cross and the Aero Club in support of the air war at Deopham Green
Potava missions to Russia as the end soon follows
“I can remember the first two Americans that we saw–these very smart young men marching down the road together, exploring things I suppose. And my mother said to say hello and ask if they have any gum, chum”
Then and now glimpses of Deopham Green and the villages around the base

Patricia Steggles Oral History Interview

The video of the Patricia Steggles’ oral history interview is below, recorded on August 26, 2003 at Hill House Farm in Great Ellingham. As I sat down to interview Patricia Steggles, she was hesitant, suggesting that she was really too young during the war to provide much of interest to me. But as listened to her, her memory was vivid and Here is a sneak preview of Deopham Green. Enjoy.compelling. In this interview, Patricia traces her story growing up in wartime Little Ellingham, near the Deopham Green airfield. Her stories are the memories of a young child about her home, her village, and the Americans who became a part of her family.

In her interview, Steggles tells a story about a day soon after the Yanks arrived at Deopham Green: “Yes, I can remember the first two Americans that we saw, these very smart young men marching down the road together exploring the village, I suppose. And my mother said we rushed back indoors and said, “Oh, Mom, there’s some Americans coming.” So she said, ‘Well, say hello, and say have you got any gum, chum?’ I don’t remember the result, (laughs) but they did smile and say hello and passed along. Well then eventually, we got to know more of them.”

“One little incident at the very beginning of the war –– because I suppose well-meaning –– but the rector came to knock on our door and told my mother to be very careful because he had heard rumors that those Americans had been visiting the house, ‘And you must be very, very careful. They could be trouble, you know.’ And her reply was, ‘Well, they’re young men far from home. They’re welcome at our fireside. We don’t have much to give, but they’re welcome, and they can come and sit in our home.’ They were my absent brothers. So they were in and out of our home and as well-known to us as our family.”

Jack A. Hayes Oral History Interview

The video of the Jack A. Hayes’ oral history interview which is below was recorded on October 4, 2003 recorded at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I interviewed Jack at the 452nd Bomb Group reunion where many of the veterans and their families gathered to rekindle their wartime friendships. Jack tells his story of growing up during the Depression days in pre-war California. His stories of Pearl Harbor and the beginning of the war are poignant reminders of the crisis facing all Americans at the end of 1941. Hayes’ journey to war led him to pilot training and later, his command of a B-17 crew who arrived at Deopham Green to begin their part in the air war against Germany. His stories of life at Deopham and on missions as a lead crew are an important part of the historical record.

In this interview, Hayes tells the story about hearing about the Pearl Harbor attack. “Well, I was at the University of California at Berkeley at the time majoring in engineering, civil engineering. I was studying for I think quarter exams, Sunday morning, I was in — another fellow and I had rented a room across from a local church and had the radio while we were studying, and here came the news of Pearl Harbor. And we looked across the street and the people were still in church and we thought, [00:02:00] or at least I thought that, well they don’t even know what’s going on yet, you know, but of course we did. I was in the ROTC and I had a lot of friends that were in the service. I had a classmate that was on the Arizona. I had other classmates that were with 40th Tank Corps in the Philippines, and of course being in California, the Pearl Harbor attack was pretty close to home.”

Bonus Content

Every episode on the premium channel contains bonus material drawn from the Air War Archives. In Episode 1, the bonus material includes a dozen, high resolution photographs for download or for viewing. These photographs are part of the more than 50,000 images that have been added to the East Anglia Air War Archives. Add these special images to your collection and use these images for personal use. If you are not currently subscribed to our Premium Plan, please subscribe now for access to the bonus material for Episode 1.

Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts.

For the complete documentaries, never-before-seen interviews, and exclusive photos and other bonus materials, visit airwartrail.com. Your support as a member means we can keep bringing these powerful stories to light and safeguard history for all.

Check us out at airwartrail.com—see you in the next episode!