Martlesham Heath

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Introduction

First glance suggests that a mass of modern housing and a variety of industrial developments has totally enveloped the former RAF airfield from where Douglas Bader and others flew many WW2 missions. Whilst the modern A12 dramatically cuts the former airfield in half. However in many respects this very modern settlement containing a wide diversity of housing and the popular Douglas Bader pub may have more of a "village feel" than several other nearby and more historic villages which have lost all of their facilities, including the pub, shop and post office. Today some local residents claim that "the heath" is more representative of modern Suffolk than other nearby villages that may now contain a high percentage of second homes (many of which are only used at the weekends).

One curiosity amongst the war memorials on Barrack Square is one stone with the inscription "USA 1939-1945". Since the US didn't join the war until the end of 1941, this must be an error, misinformation or perhaps an as yet unknown story.

The modern village is centred on a large green where cricket and football are regularly played…

Gallery

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Acknowledgements

Some details from "Suffolk Airfields in WW2" by Graham Smith.

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