AAF Station 128 Deenethorpe: Then and Now

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:21 pm

I can't remember if I've posted something like this before, apologies in advance if I have.

AAF Station 128, RAF Deenethorpe in Northamptonshire, England, was home to the 401st Bomb Group (H) from 1943-45. The 401st were the only combat unit of any sort to use the base, which was built in 1943 and closed in 1946.
Today, most of the site has been returned to the farmer's fields upon which it was built, but a few remains still survive.
Where possible I use original wartime AAF photographs, find the exact spot and take a comparison. Some of the results are below.

Communications Section (W/T Training) building:

Parachute Workshop (Demolished a couple of months after I took the modern photo):

Sub Depot Workshops area:

cont......

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:25 pm

Control Tower:

614th Bomb Squadron Officers' Quarters:

Despite the modern infill, the two cottages in the background can still be seen.

And one from this afternoon:

More to come over the next few weeks, if anyone's interested.

TTFN,
PB

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:09 am

I'm glad you brought these to WIX, Paul. I enjoy nothing more (other than doing it myself) than to "go back in time" in photos like these.

I always feel that intangible connection to history when I see then and now photos.

Scott

Jiggersfromsphilly · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:15 pm **Posts:** 951

Please do post more.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:58 pm

The fog's lifted, so I braved the sleet and biting wind to get these this afternoon:

Cont...

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:59 pm

All the best,
PB

spriso · **Posted:** Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:55 pm

These are fantastic! I love visiting the wartime airfields of England during my visits there.

Thank you for posting these!

Michael

Larry Wielgosz · **Posted:** Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:40 am

I love the before & after pictures. I can only see them through books, magazines, or online like the photos you did. Wish I could visit England. A big thanks. Excellent job.

Larry

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 4:15 pm

More Then-and-Now photos to come shortly, but in the meantime here's one of the memorial from this evening:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them.

All the best,
PB

b29flteng · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 5:28 pm

I love these types of photos...

Alexandre Jay · **Posted:** Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:53 am

Fantastic photos, Paul, thanks for sharing. The comparison ones with the guys in are especially interesting.

I lived in Northamptonshire once, so have visited many of the old stations, but not this one.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:59 pm

More Deenethorpe Then and Now...

Combat Mess, Officers' hall:

Combat Mess again:

Post Exchange:

Officers' Club:

42-39873 IY-Q Stormy Weather falling off dispersal 22, 13th December 1943:

All the best,
PB

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:41 pm

It's been a while since the last then-and-now photos, but with a "Permitted Access" footpath running right across it I finally visited the Base Hospital for the first time:

Not much to see, but the concrete floor of the nearest Nissen hut can be seen behind the trailer in the middle of the picture.

When I said the path goes right across the hospital I did mean RIGHT across.
This is the floor of the northern wing of the hospital building, the same one as in the wartime photo:

The only original building still standing on the hospital site, the M&E plinth (electricity supply):

Closeup of the surviving (just) enamel warning sign reveals it to be Distribution Centre K:

All the best,
Paul

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:57 am

I get goosebumps looking at these pictures. Thanks, Paul. Those concrete slabs speak volumes even if the buildings are long gone.......

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:06 am

excellent job in matching the old pics with your new ones!! that took a keen eye to accomplish that!!

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AAF Station 128 Deenethorpe: Then and Now

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