The 306th Bombardment Group Museum is located at the Bedford Autodrome in Bedford, England. It is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the 306th Bombardment Group, one of the first B-17 Flying Fortress units to be stationed in the United Kingdom during World War II. The group played a critical role in the early days of the Strategic Bombing Campaign over Nazi-occupied Europe.
306th Bombardment Group Museum
Top End
Bedford Autodrome
Thurleigh
Bedford MK44 1QU
+44 1234 708715
First weekend in April – last weekend of October
- Sunday 10:30 – 16:00
Free admission
Collection
This 306th Bombardment Group Museum is dedicated to the memory of the 306th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Force was stationed at Thurleigh Airfield from the autumn of 1942 until the autumn of 1945.
Key Features of the 306th Bombardment Group Museum:
1. History of the 306th Bombardment Group:
- The 306th Bombardment Group was part of the Eighth Air Force, based at Thorpe Abbotts Airfield in Norfolk, England, and it flew numerous combat missions over Germany and occupied Europe.
- The museum commemorates the service of the men who flew in the B-17 Flying Fortress, the primary aircraft used by the group, and offers visitors a chance to learn about the challenges they faced, including heavy casualties, long missions, and intense air combat.
2. B-17 Flying Fortress Exhibits:
- One of the highlights of the museum is its dedication to the B-17 Flying Fortress, the famous American bomber that was instrumental in strategic bombing raids over Nazi-occupied Europe.
- The museum features model B-17s, parts of the aircraft, and historic photos that give insight into how the bombers were operated, their mission profiles, and their technical specifications.
3. Interactive Displays:
- The museum offers a variety of interactive displays and exhibits to engage visitors. This includes virtual experiences and historical reconstructions that illustrate what it was like to fly combat missions during World War II.
- Visitors can learn about the roles of different crew members, such as the pilot, navigator, bombardier, radio operator, and gunners, through detailed exhibits and multimedia presentations.
4. Artifacts and Memorabilia:
- The museum houses numerous artifacts from the 306th Bombardment Group, such as uniforms, medals, documents, and personal items that belonged to the airmen who served in the unit.
- Visitors can view items that tell the story of the group’s missions, including photos of the airmen, mission logs, and maps detailing the bombing runs over Europe.
5. Focus on the Strategic Bombing Campaign:
- The 306th Bombardment Group played a key role in the Strategic Bombing Campaign conducted by the Eighth Air Force during World War II. The museum focuses on the significance of this campaign, which aimed to cripple the Nazi war machine by targeting military-industrial sites, transportation hubs, and other vital infrastructure.
- The museum discusses the ethical and tactical debates surrounding strategic bombing, including the high civilian casualties it caused.
Photos Mark Griffiths