Page 84 of the 95th Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). The 95th Bomb Group unit history was published by the Group’s Photographic Section. Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.

This photo comes from my father, Lt. Billy J. Murray's WW2 scrapbook. In the picture from L to R are Unknown, Col. Ben Rimerman 353rd FG, Col. Dave Schilling 56th FG, unknown woman, and unknown. The photo was taken in one of the booths in the 'Auger Inn' (Officer's Club) at Raydon on the occasion of Major General Earle E. Partridge's inspection visit to the 353rd Fighter Group on 9 February 1945. Left to right facing the camera are: Col. Frederic C. Gray (C.O. of the 78th FG at Duxford until 29 January 1945 so given the date probably representing the 66th Fighter Wing), Col. Ben Rimerman (C.O. 353rd FG), Major General Earle E. Partidge (Commanding General 3rd Air Division), unknown servicewoman (likely General Partidge's assistant) and Brigadier General Norris B. Harbold (Chief of Staff, 3rd Air Division). Dave Schilling is not facing the camera in the photo - if he was noted on this version of the photo, then the only possibility is the unidentified man with his back to the camera. Schilling commanded the 56th FG at nearby Boxted until 27 January 1945.

Page 10 of the 385th Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.

Page 60 of the 385th Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.

Page 33 of the 66th Fighter Wing unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.

"Left to right: Maj. Gen. [Earle] Partridge, Col. [William] Wrigglesworth, Brig. Gen. [Norris] Harbold, Col. [Charles] Dougher" From Pictorial History of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/41056