The 387th Bombardment group of the Eighth United States Army Air Force
was among the best trained in the entire armed forces, and they knew
it. From the earliest days of training, they worked as one, relied on
one another, and when they finally landed on the 152nd air base in
Willingale, in the county of Essex, England, their "hats were in the
ring" - their test would begin on a Friday afternoon, June 25th, 1943.

In the heat of the second World War, the base named Chipping-Ongar was
right on the front lines. Southeast of London, the brave men would fly
into France and Germany, dropping their bombs into the arsenals and
railroad lines of the German army. Every day was a test of faith -
putting their hopes into eachother, their pilots and bombardiers,
their B-26 Marauder planes, and whatever fate had in store for them.
In the face of such danger, their only escape from the danger on every
side was themselves.

Of course, the base was blessed with a welcoming, supportive rural
English village only miles away. Schoolchildren "adopted" planes and
waved a greeting upon their return from combat. The pub opened their
doors, sometimes even offering free drinks and food for the servicemen
so far from home. Budworth Hall held USO nights with loud, brassy
music and beautiful girls to dance with. Even life on the base was
more relaxed, at ease, perhaps from their confidence at fighting with
such a highly trained unit, and maybe a bit of cockiness and
comraderie. Chipping-Ongar worked as one supportive group; maybe just
the slightest bit rowdy, but still respectful and reliable - and the
fate of the war in Europe was partly in their hands.

Of course, into each life, some rain must fall, and the men at
Chipping-Ongar also had their fair share of tragedy. Friends,
brothers, and partners were all lost in the fighting, or even
accidents on base. In the face of danger and loss, they knew better
than anyone that you only have your friends to fall back on, so far
from home, and perhaps the setbacks brought them all closer.

It's said that the first words spoken as the Group Commander stepped
onto the ground after the cross-Atlantic voyage were "Where are the
bombs? Let's go to war!"

Is your hat in the ring?