After arriving in England in Jan '44, my dad was sent to a gunnery practice base he called "The Wash" in his notes. Does anyone know the correct name of this base and it's location? Thanks for your help. Tom Risinger [signature]

Tom, the "Wash" was not a base but an area of water used for gunnery practice. we also dropped practice bombs there. It is that indented area in the coast line (north sea side of england) just north of Peterborough and east of Nottingham. Bill Runnels, bombardier, 303rdBG, 360th Sqd. [signature]

As Bill pointed out, The Wash is the bay (kind of) to the north and west of the area where most of the airbases were located. The gunnery base was on the coast near the town of Snettisham. Many crews went there for some gunnery training when they first reached England. David Warren [url]www.447bg.com[/url] [signature]

Hello, in a ealier post, you had said that your dad served with the 351st, 509th. How long was he stationed at Polebrook? My dad arrived in Dec. 44 till April 45. He was in was assigned to the 511th and later the 509th. Larry G [signature]

Hi Larry, My dad arrived at Polebrook in Jan 44 and his last mission was June 20th. He was a tail gunner. The next three months he served as an armorer. He arrived back in the U.S. on Oct 10, 1944. Regards, Tom Risinger [signature]

David Warren


As Bill pointed out, The Wash is the bay (kind of) to the north and west of the area where most of the airbases were located. The gunnery base was on the coast near the town of Snettisham. Many crews went there for some gunnery training when they first reached England. David Warren [url]www.447bg.com[/url] [signature]

Sorry for arriving late on in this thread

I have a natural interest in this Gunnery-Range, as I live just over 1 x mile away

Known as the 1st Combat Crew Gunnery School, it ran along the Beach-area, with numerous concrete & steel fixtures (some of which still remain), including it's own miniaturised railway-lines, used for hauling ammunition, as well as trailing targets on & above small rail-cars.

Apparently it was 'Station 172'  at Snettisham,  (fomerly known as 68-A) 

It was the 1st Gunnery-Range set up for the 8th A.F. over here (summer 1943)

I've read several reports from retired combat-Vet's who done some time here, training, before moving on, or going back to their respective Bomb-Groups.

I also happen to frequently visit (what was) the old mess-hall for the school itself, as I'm friends with the current owner !!!!!!!!!!!!

These were old Tea-Rooms in the 1920's & 1930's, before the arrival of the American Army Air Force to this region.

The Main building still survives today, albeit slightly modified.......

I have some interesting pix that I'll post at some later-time.

As it happens,  in the years I've known (& been told more & more) about this place, I've never yet (till I met & became friends with the owner) seen ANY pictures of this Gunnery school & it's American prescence.

Do we have any guys on here who have personal recollections of the place (in General)  &/or the Gunnery school itself ??????????


Here's hoping !!!!!!!!!!!!