Abandoned WW2 RAF Rackheath Airbase

Join me and the dog as we explore raf rackheath a former Royal Air Force station located near the village of Rackheath, approximately 6 miles (9.7 kilometres) north-east of Norwich, in the county of Norfolk in England. construction on the airfield began in 1943; 81 years ago, for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force (8th AF). Constructed to the Air Ministry requirements for a class A airfield, it followed the typical layout of other heavy bomber bases, with a main runway of 2,000 yards (1,800 metres) and two auxiliary runways of 1,400 yards (1,300 metres) each. The perimeter track was 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometres) in length, and this and the runways had a concrete screed finish. The airfield was given USAAF designation Station 145.
467th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The airfield was opened on 11 March 1943; 80 years ago, and was used by the 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 'The Rackheath Aggies', of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), arriving from Wendover AAF at Utah. The 467th was assigned to the 96th Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a 'Circle-P'. Flying Consolidated B-24 Liberators
In addition to strategic operations, it was engaged occasionally in support and interdiction missions. It bombed shore installations and bridges near Cherbourg on D-Day, 6 June 1944. It struck enemy troop and supply concentrations near Montreuil on 25 July 1944 to assist the Allied drive across France.
#ww2 #airbase #abandonded
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All filmed on an iPhone
#dday80

[@Danisoutside]

Hope you enjoyed this video buymeacoffee.com/dstamp543

[@MikeOToole-bn8on]

My father flew 35 missions out of Rackheath from June 1944 to December 1944. Witchcraft the most famous B-24 flew with his bomber group the 467th. RIP Dad, Job well done. Love you, and you.

[@Danisoutside]

Thank you for your amazing comment and sharing this information and for watching.

[@MikeOToole-bn8on]

Thank you Dan for archiving this historic WWII site. I wanted to breathe a little life in the deserted place, which most are unaware of what happened there. B-24 bombers flew from that site deep into the heart of Nazi Germany to help break the back of Hitler's aspirations. That was the last place some young men walked around before getting into a plane and never coming back. Like too many places in Britain and the World it has become hallowed ground.@@Danisoutside

[@Danisoutside]

If you have any pictures and stories of your dad and his time here I would love to add an addendum to my video about him for you if this is something you are interested in I will give you my email address kind regards Dan

[@daviddavies2072]

Good video thank you , it's good to get these airfields on film, as in another 80 years they be gone 👍🇺🇲❤️🇬🇧

[@Danisoutside]

Thank you I really appreciate that and thanks for watching 👀

[@Danisoutside]

@daviddavies2072 recently went back to the airfield and found some more buildings

[@IanBell-b9z]

Love the 2nd world war pieces. Keep it up.

[@Danisoutside]

Thanks so much for watching 👀

[@ajnphotography_uk]

Nice video, very informative 👍🏻

[@Danisoutside]

Thanks and thanks for watching 👀

[@WhosRyzehh]

Aweosme 😮so interesting

[@Danisoutside]

I’m glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@welshwarrior5263]

I have been travelling back and forth to work on the building sites on Salhouse Road for the last 15 months, and I have never known of this. I will make it my mission to visit.

[@Danisoutside]

That’s excellent and the reason I make my little videos thanks for watching 👀

[@chip9177]

TY - my grandfather was co-pilot based at Rackheath

[@Danisoutside]

Thank you for watching

[@Danisoutside]

@chip9177 I recently went back and found some more buildings

[@oliabid-price4517]

I have lived in Rackheath for 30 years, and Station 145 has some significant history. Colonel Albert J Shower was the only commander of a US airfield for it's entire active duration, and the 467th achieved the greatest bombing accuracy of the entire 8th Air Force during WW2. Witchcraft was also the B24 with the greatest number of sorties, never failed to reach the target assigned, and never lost a crewman. Even the aircraft's groundcrew received medals for keeping it in service. You should have visited the adjacent industrial estate to see the renovated control tower (now offices) along with a remaining T2 hangar (still in use), and the memorial.

[@Danisoutside]

Thank you and thanks for watching I have visited other parts and the control tower which I think is a house now

[@baobo67]

Thanks.Watched a lot of this type of vid but your research added a lot and have subscribed. B24s were used extensively here in Australia in the war against Japan initially from bases here into New Guinea and Indonesia then further North as the War progressed. Cheers

[@Danisoutside]

Thank you I really appreciate that and thanks for subscribing I am planning to visit some more redundant airfields in the coming weeks

[@tutts999]

Interesting watch. Nice to see the site hasn't been covered in graffiti

[@Danisoutside]

Glad you enjoyed it and yes it was nice to see I found some ruins of a church recently and was impressed also that it was free of graffiti

[@station1254]

Thanks for visiting site 6

[@Danisoutside]

I was really impressed with it

[@RebelNine]

The only thing left, in any state of preservation, is the old control tower, about half a mile away from where you filmed.

[@Danisoutside]

I went and looked at that on the industrial estate I think it’s a house now thanks for watching 👀

[@GraceStamp]

What is your dogs name, she’s so cute!!

[@Danisoutside]

Holly 🐕 😀

[@Danisoutside]

I have visited and found more ruins if your interested and thanks for watching kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5-Yc4F4m6qLfqcsi=OuthqdlILIOCwcBI

[@Murfie-qe3pp]

Pretty bad that the information board at the start of the video has the USAAF acronym described as meaning ‘United States of America Air Force’. Looks like it was produced by the local council by the logo in the bottom right hand corner, all they had to do was Google it…..