There are many museums around the country linked to former airfields that honour the lives of those who served at the site.

One of these is the Nuthampstead museum which honours the 55th FG and more predominately the 398th BG, who served at Nuthampstead from April 1944 to June 1945.

The museum is located behind the excellent Woodman Inn, a 17th Century Inn that sat on the outskirts of the airfield and was frequented by many who served at the airfield. Its ties are strong, displaying a range of photographs and housing some memorabilia from the airfield demonstrating this incredible link with the base’s personnel. I can strongly recommend a visit here if you are at the museum.

The entrance to both the pub and museum is notable by a large and stunning memorial  to the 398th BG; a second smaller memorial pays tribute to the 55th FG, and sits close by.

The Memorial outside the Woodman Inn.

The museum itself sits at the back of the Inn located in three small, but packed huts, entrance is free at the time of writing.

The first hut contains photographs, written documents and memorabilia concerning the 55th FG, who were stationed at Nuthampstead between 16th September 1943 and mid April 1945.

Moving on through, the remainder holds a huge range of personal letters, documents, photographs and memorabilia relating to the 398th, including part of a B-17 wing that was found in a nearby field, being used as a bridge over a small ditch.

There are also uniforms donated by relatives, and even a piece of PSP (Pierced Steel Planking) used to create taxiways and runways on several airfields especially temporary forward bases where speed was the essence.

The wing of the B-17 forms the centrepiece of the main display.

The museum like so many others, is run and staffed by volunteers, all very knowledgeable and helpful. It only opens in the summer months but it may be possible to gain access outside of these times, details are available on their website below.

If you are in the area, or want to know more about Nuthampstead, do visit the museum and have a drink / meal in the adjacent pub – both are highly recommended.

RAF Nuthampstead’s history can be seen in Trail 32.

Links.

The Woodman Inn can be found through their website.

The Nuthampstead Airfield Museum can be found through their website.