STATION 115 SHIPDHAM
This book traces the life of Shipdham Airfield.
Known originally as Station 115 to the USAAF during their 3 year stay, it
follows through from it’s origins as agricultural fields in the late 1930s, on
to its year of construction, then into the War years then finally on to a small
modern day general aviation airfield.
Liberally illustrated with photos from every era of its evolution this
book traces the story of the people who made the airfield what it was then and
what it is today.
Bomb Groups in
445th Bomb Group – Tibenham
453rd
Bomb Group – Old Buckenham
467th
Bomb Group – Rackheath
Bomb Groups in
466th Bomb Group – Attlebridge
489th
Bomb Group – Halesworth
This is a
trilogy of children’s novels aimed at the early teen reader, although eminently
suitable for adults with an ability to remember what it was like during the
growing-up years of their own lives.
They are set in the middle years of WWII in
rural
This first book in
the series takes us into the lives of Billy Coleman and his chums Tom and Dave,
in a small
Billy is the first
of the boys at the village school to see arrival of the American bombers, and
as his family home is the nearest in the village to the new airfield, he takes
every opportunity to visit and befriend the Americans and thus become the
‘airfield king’ amongst his classmates. Needless to say it does not always go
according to plan, and soon the realities of war and the random roulette of
death and injury conflict brings, are revealed to Billy in full measure.
Book 2. MORE MISSIONS AND SKETCHES.
Billy Coleman’s
story continues as both he and the war become a year older. Billy is introduced
to drawing and painting (His sole claim to fame at school, where he is famous
only for the quantity of red ink used by his long suffering form teacher in the
correcting of his poorly presented class-work.) His only chance in life is
through his art, and supported by his school’s headmaster who is in despair
with Billy’s lack of ability in any other school subject, he takes his
opportunities as they present themselves.
In this book he is
also introduced to the other of life’s great mystery of teenage boys…girls. Or
, in this case one girl in particular, who despite being several years older
than he is, soon becomes inextricably linked to him and his life.
The final book of
the trilogy takes events to the conclusion of WWII and Billy Coleman’s need to
establish a career after leaving school. The Artistic talents which he has in
full measure, coupled with the early interest in the nearby American Air Force
base which has never faded, join the several strands of this nostalgic
children’s yarn together. The short epilogue, set in the late 1990’s, rounds
out the story with an unpredictable present day conclusion.
Contact Liberator Publishing for information about the
current publishing status of the above.