Eye World War II Airfield, home of the 490 Bombardment Group Walks x 3
Airfield Industrial Park, Eye Airfield Industrial Estate, Eye, Suffolk, IP23 7HS
In 1943 construction of a class “A” heavy bomber airfield was begun at Eye Suffolk, by US Army Engineer Battalions 827 and 859 and British contractors and was completed early in 1944. It consisted of three intersecting runways, two large hangars, administrative buildings, and enough living quarters for 2894 servicemen. The base housed Station 134 of the 490th Bomb Group of the U. S. 8th Air Force which operated Liberators and Flying Fortresses. Between May 1944 and April 1945, 158 missions and 5060 sorties were flown from Eye Airfield. The aircraft left Eye on July 8th 1945 and the remaining ground crew departed in August of the same year. The base was handed over to the R.A.F. in 1945.
A Regiment, the 932nd Regiment of Aviation Engineers was responsible for the maintenance of the base.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 06 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Saturday 07 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Sunday 08 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Monday 09 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Tuesday 10 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Wednesday 11 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Thursday 12 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Friday 13 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Saturday 14 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
- Sunday 15 September:
- 07.00 until 19.00
Location & directions
Airfield Industrial Park, Eye Airfield Industrial Estate, Eye, Suffolk, IP23 7HS
- Contact on day:
- Clive Hill
- Telephone number:
- +447885240478
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
This area has no public facilities, wheelchair and pushchair access is good on the runway. The walks to the memorials are suitable in part for wheelchair or pushchairs as they are country footpaths. Access to the main 490 memorial is via Progress Way with on street car parking, again there are no public facilities here.
Additional information
Eye World War II Airfield has three walks that can be taken at anytime. More information about the history can be found by visiting https://www.490th.co.uk/ Jeep round runs please donate £5 per person, a maximum of £10 for a family of 4.
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)
