Links & Resources

✈   487th Bomb Group Association
The official veterans’ association of the 487th Bombardment Group. The site holds the definitive mission archive, personnel rosters covering more than 5,000 individuals, aircraft records, and an extensive photographic collection. An essential starting point for anyone researching a family member who served at Lavenham.

◈   American Air Museum — 487th Bomb Group Archive
The American Air Museum’s digital archive holds crew interviews, photographs, and personal accounts specifically relating to the 487th. Searchable by name, allowing families to find records of individual airmen who served at Station 137.

★   National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
Located in Pooler, Georgia, near Savannah — where the Eighth Air Force was activated in January 1942 — this is the primary museum of 8th Air Force history in the United States. The Research Center holds an oral history collection described as the premier collection of Eighth Air Force veteran testimonies in existence. Currently undergoing a major expansion.

◈   American Air Museum — IWM Duxford
The national memorial to the 30,000 members of the US Army Air Forces who died while flying from Britain. Housed in a Norman Foster-designed building at IWM Duxford, it contains the largest collection of American military aircraft on public display outside the United States. The digital archive allows families to search for records of individual airmen.

◉   IWM Duxford
Britain’s largest aviation museum, built on a historic airfield that served as a USAAF fighter base from 1943. Home to the American Air Museum and nearly 200 aircraft across seven exhibition buildings. Approximately 40 miles from Lavenham — an excellent companion visit to a summer walk at Station 137.

✦   Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
The permanent American WWII cemetery and memorial in the UK, at Madingley, Cambridge. Contains the graves of 3,812 American servicemen — many of them 8th Air Force airmen — and commemorates a further 5,127 names on the Wall of the Missing. A Visitor Centre opened in 2014. Free entry, open daily.

✈   8th Air Force Historical Society
The veterans’ organisation covering the entire Eighth Air Force, founded in 1975. Maintains records, publications, and connections between veterans’ families and the airfields from which they flew.

◈   National Museum of the US Air Force
The world’s largest military aviation museum, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. Holds an extensive WWII collection including B-17 and B-24 aircraft, and maintains historical records of all USAAF groups including the 487th.

◉   Air Force Historical Research Agency
The official repository of US Air Force historical records, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Holds original mission records, unit histories, and declassified operational documents for all WWII air groups including the 487th Bombardment Group.

◉   Military Aviation Heritage Networks — East Anglia
The definitive directory of aviation heritage sites across East Anglia, covering 30 historic airfields, museums, memorials, and aviation sites. Includes an East Anglia Trail booklet funded by Historic England. The best starting point for planning a tour of the region’s aviation heritage.

◈   Rougham Tower Association — 94th Bomb Group
A volunteer-run museum in the preserved wartime control tower of the 94th Bomb Group at Bury St Edmunds — just 12 miles from Lavenham and the 487th’s Wing neighbour. One of the finest surviving control towers in Suffolk.

◈   100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum — Thorpe Abbotts
Dedicated to the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ — one of the most decorated and costly bomber groups of the Eighth Air Force. The volunteer-run museum at Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk, has seen a surge in visitors following the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

◈   Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum — Flixton
East Anglia’s Aviation Heritage Centre at the former Flixton Airfield near Bungay. Over 60 aircraft and 30,000 artefacts, including a dedicated 446th Bomb Group USAAF museum and RAF Bomber Command displays. Run entirely by volunteers. Open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays.

◈   Parham Airfield Museum — 390th Bomb Group
Situated on the former USAAF Station at Parham, Suffolk, paying tribute to the 390th Bomb Group and housing a unique replica British Resistance Organisation underground bunker. Set in the original wartime buildings.

◈   City of Norwich Aviation Museum
Located at the former RAF Horsham St Faith (now Norwich Airport), covering both RAF and USAAF history across the region. Strong WWII content including the story of the many American airfields surrounding Norwich.

◈   95th Bomb Group Memorial Museum — Horham
The museum and memorial dedicated to the 95th Bombardment Group at Station 364, Horham, Suffolk — one of the 4th Wing’s sister groups, flying throughout the same campaign as the 487th.

★   Imperial War Museum
The national museum of conflict and its impact on people. Five sites across the UK including London, Duxford, Manchester, and Belfast. The IWM’s online collections include photographs, documents, and personal testimonies from WWII airmen, many relating directly to the East Anglian campaign.

◉   The National Archives
Holds official British government and military records from WWII, including RAF records relating to Station 137 at Lavenham, construction records, and liaison documents with USAAF units. Online catalogue allows remote searching before visiting at Kew.

◉   Fold3 — Military Records Archive
Holds an extensive collection of US military historical records, including WWII unit records, mission reports, and personnel files. Many USAAF records including records relating to 8th Air Force operations from East Anglia are available here.

✦   Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Maintains records of the 1.7 million Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the two world wars. The CWGC’s online search tool allows anyone to search for an individual’s grave or commemoration.

✦   American Battle Monuments Commission
The US federal agency responsible for commemorating American armed forces who died overseas. Maintains the Cambridge American Cemetery and 25 other overseas cemeteries and memorials. Online database allows families to search for individual names.

◉   Love Lavenham — Official Village Guide
The official guide to Lavenham village, covering shops, cafes, restaurants, accommodation, events, and the village’s remarkable medieval heritage. Over 300 listed buildings and a 15th-century church make Lavenham one of the finest preserved medieval villages in England.

◉   Lavenham Village Website
Community website covering local news, events, history, and practical information about the village. Includes detailed historical information about the airfield and the American presence in Lavenham during WWII.

◈   Lavenham Guildhall — National Trust
The 15th-century Guildhall served as an American Red Cross canteen during WWII. A plaque outside commemorates the 487th Bomb Group. Now managed by the National Trust — check their website for opening times.

◉   The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa
A 15th-century coaching inn and the unofficial wartime home of the 487th’s aircrew on stand-down days. The signatures of dozens of crew members are preserved under glass in the bar. Features The Gallery restaurant, Mess Call 487 brasserie (named after the Group), an Airmen’s Bar, and a spa.

◉   The Great House — Hotel & Restaurant
A boutique hotel and French-Mediterranean bistro in the heart of Lavenham, set in a beautifully restored 14th-century building on the Market Place. Individually styled rooms and a well-regarded restaurant.

◉   The Bildeston Crown
A traditional country inn in Bildeston, approximately 6 miles from the airfield. Twelve recently refurbished rooms and a well-regarded modern British kitchen. Good base for exploring Lavenham, Long Melford, and Sudbury.

◉   Accommodation near Lavenham — Booking.com
A full listing of hotels, B&Bs, cottages, and self-catering accommodation in and around Lavenham, including properties in Alpheton, Cockfield, Long Melford, and Sudbury. Newmans Lodge in Alpheton is particularly convenient for walk participants.

◉   The Swan at Lavenham — Dining
The Swan offers The Gallery (fine dining), Mess Call 487 (relaxed brasserie, named after the 487th Bomb Group), an Airmen’s Bar, and afternoon tea. The Airmen’s Bar and Mess Call 487 are dog-friendly. Booking recommended at weekends.

◉   The Great House Restaurant
French and Mediterranean cuisine in a 14th-century setting on Lavenham’s Market Place. One of Suffolk’s most consistently praised restaurants. Booking essential.

◉   Lavenham — Full Dining Guide
The complete guide to eating and drinking in Lavenham, from village cafes and tea rooms to evening restaurants and pubs. Includes the Cock Horse Inn, Memsaab Indian restaurant, and Number Ten Wine Bar and Kitchen.

◈   Ickworth House & Park — National Trust
A remarkable Italianate rotunda house in 1,800 acres of parkland near Bury St Edmunds, approximately 12 miles from Lavenham. American troops were billeted at Ickworth during WWII — another local connection to the wartime story of Suffolk.

◈   Melford Hall — National Trust
A turreted Tudor mansion overlooking the village green in Long Melford, approximately 4 miles from Lavenham. Associated with Beatrix Potter. Open selected days — check the National Trust website.

◈   Gainsborough’s House — Sudbury
The birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough in the market town of Sudbury, approximately 6 miles from Lavenham and home to the neighbouring 486th Bomb Group at Station 174. Recently restored with a new gallery wing.

◉   Greater Anglia — Rail Travel
Train services to Sudbury (the nearest station to Lavenham, approximately 6 miles) run from London Liverpool Street via Marks Tey. Lavenham itself has no rail service — onward travel by taxi or bus is required from Sudbury.