Short films to be screened at Wymondham’s Regal Cinema
Land-girls pose at Browick Farm on Christmas Day 1944. The cows still had to be fed and milked ! - Credit: Archant
A miscellany of short films under the collective title of 'The Yanks Over Here in World War Two' will be screened in aid of the Hethel 389th Bomb Group Memorial Museum on Sunday at 2.30pm at the Wymondham Ex-Services' Club (Regal Cinema).
Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable chatting at Chasen's Restaurant in Hollywood in late 1942 -- before they came to England. - Credit: Archant
Ranging from about five to 20 minutes each, the films were produced by students at Abilene University in Texas – and they have come up with some fascinating material. Subjects include the US 8th Army Air Force, including the 389th Bomb Group, when it was stationed in England, while there are neat little biopics of legends Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable and Glenn Miller - all of whom could have been seen in Norfolk during the war.
Land-girls at work near the Old Buckenham base. - Credit: Archant
In August and September 1944, Miller's band played at US bases at Attlebridge, Wendling, Tibenham, Thorpe Abbotts and Hardwick, as well as the Samson and Hercules ballroom in Norwich.
Glenn Miller at Thorpe Abbotts (100th Bomb Group). - Credit: Archant
Clocking up 20 combat missions in his career, Stewart served at Tibenham, Old Buckenham and Ketteringham Hall.
A hostess from the Red Cross Club serving Lord and Lady Ironside at Old Buckenham. Col. Potts is also in the picture. - Credit: Archant
Although Gable was not stationed in Norfolk, he visited the county as an air gunnery instructor.
Jimmy Stewart (2nd from right) at Old Buckenham (453rd Bomb Group). He was popular with the men. - Credit: Archant
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But perhaps the most evocative footage shows the American Red Cross with their 'donut' clubs in East Anglia, together with their famous Rainbow Club in Piccadilly Circus in wartime London and the British land-girls, recruitment of which had begun three years before the Yanks arrived 'over here'.
Tickets are £3.50 and doors open at 2pm.
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For more information contact Fred Squires on 01953 798774 or Ann Howlett on 01508 571302.
