US servicemen and women took part in the unveiling of a memorial to those who served at a Second World War airbase.
Willingale Airfield was one of 15 USAAF airfields in Essex from which the US Army Air Forces bombed coastal defences in Northern France and supported the Allied invasion of Europe.
Hundreds of people attended the unveiling of a memorial on Sunday (October 2) at Chipping Ongar Airfield, with wartime vehicles taking part in the commemoration.
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Willingale Parish Council, farmers, and the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust had worked together to prepare the memorial, with local people contributing to the costs.
Parish council chairman councillor David Stokes began discussions with the landowner about the use of a small strip of land.
He said: “The installation provides a fitting, permanent memorial to all who served at the airbase during the Second World War.
“It has come about through the initiative of the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust but with significant local support from Willingale Parish Council and, more importantly, through the generosity of Heron Farms in allowing their land to be used, and also the generosity of local people giving up their time, skills and making financial support available."
An information board will be erected giving a short history of the airfield.
Willingale Airfield was built in 1942 on open farmland and was one of 15 airfields in Essex allocated to the USAAF.
It was built by the US Army 831st Engineer (Aviation) Battalion and on June 25, 1943, the 387th Bombardment group arrived from Kentucky assigned to the 3rd Bomb Wing flying Martin B–26B/C Marauders.
During eight months of operations from Willingale Airfield, the 387th Bombardment group flew 204 missions and lost 10 aircraft.
While stationed in Willingale, the airmen used St Andrew's Church as their parish church, organised dances in the village hall and were generous to the children of the village who were living under tight rationing.
Director general of the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust Kenneth Bannerman and Brentwood and Ongar MP Alex Burghart also attended the unveiling.
Willingale Parish Council was initially approached by the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust in 2019 about the possibility of a permanent memorial to the former airfield, but it was delayed by Covid.
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