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 American Air Museum at IWM Duxford is the national memorial to the 30,000 members of the US Army Air Forces who died while flying from Britain. Housed in a striking Norman Foster-designed building opened in 1997, it contains the largest collection of American military aircraft on public display outside the United States. The digital archive allows families worldwide 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 World War II cemetery and memorial in the United Kingdom, located at Madingley, Cambridge. The cemetery 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. The memorial building features a large map showing air sorties flown from East Anglia. 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. Works closely with the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth.

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, located 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, covering sites from WWI to the Cold War. The best starting point for planning a tour of the region’s aviation heritage.

Rougham Tower Association — 94th Bomb Group

A volunteer-run museum housed 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. The control tower is one of the finest surviving examples in Suffolk. An excellent companion visit to a summer walk at Station 137.

100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum — Thorpe Abbotts

Dedicated to the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ — one of the most decorated and most costly bomber groups of the entire Eighth Air Force. The volunteer-run museum at Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk, is a model of what a heritage airfield museum can be, and 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, located at the former Flixton Airfield near Bungay. Over 60 aircraft and 30,000 artefacts, including a dedicated 446th Bomb Group USAAF museum, RAF Bomber Command displays, and an Air-Sea Rescue collection. 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, this museum pays tribute to the 390th Bomb Group and also houses a unique replica underground bunker from the British Resistance Organisation. Set in the original wartime buildings of the 390th BG.

City of Norwich Aviation Museum

Located at the former RAF Horsham St Faith (now Norwich Airport), this volunteer-run museum covers both RAF and USAAF history across the region. Strong WWII content including the story of the many American airfields surrounding Norwich.

Martlesham Heath Aviation Society

Based in the control tower of the former RAF Martlesham Heath, which became home to the USAAF 356th Fighter Group in 1943. The site has a long history of flight research from WWI through to the jet era, and the museum covers the full sweep of Martlesham’s aviation story.

95th Bomb Group Memorial Museum — Horham

The museum and memorial dedicated to the 95th Bombardment Group at Station 364, Horham, Suffolk. The 95th was one of the 4th Wing’s sister groups and flew throughout the same campaign as the 487th. The memorial and museum are run by dedicated volunteers.

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 the official British government and military records from WWII, including RAF records relating to the use of Station 137 at Lavenham, construction records, and liaison documents with USAAF units. The online catalogue allows remote searching before visiting in person at Kew.

Ancestry — Military Records

Ancestry holds digitised WWII military records including US Army enlistment records, draft cards, and casualty lists. For families researching a relative who served with the 487th, the military records collection is a valuable first step before approaching the 487th Bomb Group Association directly.

Fold3 — Military Records Archive

Fold3 by Ancestry 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 the 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. Many Commonwealth airmen who served alongside the 487th are commemorated through the CWGC.

American Battle Monuments Commission

The US federal agency responsible for commemorating American armed forces who died overseas. The ABMC maintains the Cambridge American Cemetery and 25 other overseas cemeteries and memorials. Their online database allows families to search for individual names commemorated at Cambridge and elsewhere.

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, a 15th-century church, and the Guildhall make Lavenham one of the finest preserved medieval villages in England. The village has its own deep connections to the 487th — see our Visiting Lavenham page for more.

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, providing refreshments for servicemen from the nearby airfields. Now managed by the National Trust. A plaque outside commemorates the 487th Bomb Group. Open seasonally — check the National Trust website for opening times.

The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa

A 15th-century timber-framed coaching inn at the heart of Lavenham — 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, the Mess Call 487 brasserie (named after the Group), an Airmen’s Bar, and a spa. The most historically significant place to stay in relation to Lavenham Airfield.

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. A quieter, more intimate alternative to The Swan.

The Bildeston Crown

A traditional country inn in the village of Bildeston, approximately 6 miles from the airfield. Twelve recently refurbished rooms and a well-regarded modern British kitchen. Good base for exploring the wider area including 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 (the village closest to the airfield meeting point), 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, especially 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 the village’s cafes and tea rooms to evening restaurants and pubs. Includes the Cock Horse Inn, Memsaab Indian restaurant, and Number Ten Wine Bar and Kitchen. Most establishments are dog-friendly.

Ickworth House & Park — National Trust

A remarkable Italianate rotunda house set in 1,800 acres of parkland near Bury St Edmunds, approximately 12 miles from Lavenham. The park is open year-round. 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, who was a relation of the Hyde Parker family who owned the Hall. Open selected days — check the National Trust website.

Gainsborough’s House — Sudbury

The birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough, one of England’s greatest portrait and landscape painters, 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.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Manages 60 nature reserves across Suffolk, including several in the area around Lavenham and Alpheton. The gentle Suffolk countryside that surrounds Station 137 is rich in wildlife, and several reserves are within easy reach of the airfield meeting point.

Walking in the Lavenham Area

The countryside around Lavenham, Alpheton, and Cockfield offers excellent walking through gently rolling arable farmland and historic villages. Several waymarked routes connect Lavenham with Long Melford and surrounding villages. The Lavenham to Long Melford walk along a disused railway line is a local favourite.

Visit Suffolk

The official tourism guide for Suffolk, covering attractions, accommodation, events, and travel information across the county. Useful for planning a wider trip to the region that takes in Lavenham Airfield alongside other Suffolk highlights.

Greater Anglia — Rail Travel

Train services to Sudbury (the nearest station to Lavenham, approximately 6 miles) run from London Liverpool Street via Marks Tey. Sudbury is also served by connections from Colchester. Please note Lavenham itself has no rail service — onward travel by taxi or bus is required from Sudbury.