Reproduced below are a number of photos of the 405 Fighter Group at Christchurch(USAAF Station 416) during the spring of 1944.
Most of the images were sent to me by an anonymous sender - presumably in the US.Efforts to contact via the email address just bounced .
So, if anyone knows the origin of the photos,or has any additional information please email me.
~
Image 1:The building is Bure Homage House.This was used as an Officers Mess by the 405FG .After the war used for a time by the Royal Signals and demolished in 1957.Image 2:A view looking along the Pierced Steel Planking taxiway.
~
Image 3: A P-51 Mustang parked among the P-47s and in Image 4 a close up..
~
Image 5 shows the tented accomodation used by the 405th.:Image 6 - A P47D landing on the Steel Matting Runway.
~
Image 7: More of the encampment .:Image 8- A misty day with taxiing P-47s on left ,parked aircraft and Steel mesh vehicle way on right.
~
Image 9:P-47D The Bug:....................... Image10."K-Kid"
~
Image 11:A group of 405FG pilots. ....................... Image 12.P-47s at dispersal.
~
Image 13: Dispersal.
Image 14: Early morning take off D-Day 6th June 1944.
These two show the front of Bure Homage"
The outbuildings at Bure Homage were used as the base PX