489th Bomb Group Memorial
2006 June - 489th Memorial on Holton (Halesworth) Airfield
The 489th Bomb Group Memorial was dedicated in May 1983. The dedication was attended by veterans of the 489th during a 2nd Air Division Reunion visit to Norwich.
The beautiful black granite stone memorial is situated at the end of the main runway of Halesworth Airfield. The wording on the stone reads:
DEDICATED TO ALL WHO SERVED HERE WITH THE 489TH BOMB GROUP (USAAF) ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND HUMAN DIGNITY.
THE 489TH GROUP WAS STATIONED AT HALESWORTH AIR FIELD FROM APRIL TO NOVEMBER 1944, AND FLEW 106 OPERATIONAL MISSIONS IN B24 LIBERATOR HEAVY BOMBERS.
COLONEL EZEKIEL W NAPIER, COMMANDER.
THE LORD SAID: LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD.
MATTHEW 28 : 20
The 489th Memorial has been joined over the years by memorials to the 56th Fighter Group and the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron.
The three American groups served on Halesworth Airfield between 1943 and 1945:
The 56th Fighter Group (July 1943-April 1944), 489th Bomb Group (April 1944 – November 1944), 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron (January 1945 – ?). The airfield was in use for the duration of the war and some months following.
The Halesworth Airfield Museum is situated beside the three memorials. This museum has a large collection of World War Two memorabilia relating to the Groups who served on the airfield and to the greater Halesworth area.
See website for more details:
Halesworth Airfield Museum