493rd BG(H) Debach
Control Tower Page
Taken by John Taylor 2009
The Control Tower Museum.
The tower had been left to deteriorate up until 2000 when it was then
decided it should be brought back to its former glory.
Over the past few years, with the help from Volunteers, it has been
set out to resemble how it looked when the Americans were stationed
within its walls.
With the help of Veterans who worked in the Tower, the rooms have
been recreated with the same colours on the walls and the same usage
of the rooms with the exception of the one at the top of the stairs.
This room would have been yet another office but it was felt, it would
be more informative to re-create a typical RAF plotting room such
as those used in the Battle of Britain in controlling the spitfires
and hurricane fighters.
Most of the other rooms have their original use, with many mannequins
dressed in the uniforms of the 8th Army Air Force. Phones, typewriters
and the day to day essentials abound and a Doll’s Eye telephone exchange
is situated on the ground floor.
On the passageway walls you will find the squadron boards which show photographs and names of a selection of the air crews. A veteran tail gunner, Jack Rude, who has returned to Debach regularly, has his own pictorial board.
The Operation Room upstairs would have been buzzing with activity,
with on duty officers and waiting pilots looking out for the return
of their comrades.On show, a large wall map displays the location
of the targets of each mission. Along side the details of the missions
are listed.
The fire and weather room downstairs would have been on constant alert,
hence the beds and would have been manned around the clock. The windows
in this room are much higher and less tall – the reason for this was
that should an aircraft crash, the damage inside would be less harmful.
Up on the roof the view is amazing and in wartime would be the best
vantage point to watch for returning craft. There is also a cupola
on the roof for shelter when the weather was less than pleasant. Inside
the cupola is a diorama showing all the runways and buildings.
For a further selection of photographs see
the museum gallery.