Bernie,
My admiration and respect for the people of UK started when I was a kid. There was one defining moment, in modern history, when the British and American peoples were at their closest. This was during the wartime years, between 1941-45. My grandfather served in the great World War 2. In a military organization know as the 8th Army Air Force, 452nd Bomb Group stationed at Deopham Green Airfield in East Anglia England. Do you know anything about Norfolk or Suffolk in East Anglia? Do you want me to go on?
Deopham Green is about 5.5 miles south west of Wymondham, between Hingham and Great Ellingham. The airfield was constructed during 1942-43 by John Laing & Sons Ltd to Class A specification for heavy bomber use. It had a 2000-yard main runway with two intersecting 1400-yard auxiliary runways, all 50 yards wide. A 50-feet wide perimeter track about 3.5 miles long connected the ends of the runways. There were 50 looped or pan hardstandings; two type T2 hangars, one each side of the airfield; Mk II lighting on the main runway and full technical facilities. There was temporary accommodation for 2900 men.
The airfield was occupied by the 452nd Bomb Group on 3rd January 1944 equipped with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses carrying ten crew members. Combat operations began on 5th February 1944. The group flew 250 missions from Deopham Green during the war and lost 110 bombers in this time. The group suffered particularly high losses during the spring of 1944.
Well, during those terrible times the local English people would have dances, volunteer for hospital duty and bring flowers and especially strawberries to the "Yanks" as my grandfather was called. He took me to England with him to one of the reunions. He asked me before he died to make sure if I got a chance to do something nice for any of the English people to do it. That is why I am a supporter of the UK pool ladies Bernie. I promised him!!!!!! So now you know! Hell, most assuredly will have frozen over before I would ever forget my promise.
Now on a lighter note. We are friends which live with in 200 miles of each other. I am informed of the tournament schedule my friends keep and when they are close I go to see them play. For an example of which I am very proud I gave some cues to Kelly and Val to get started with as 24 hours after coming to the Colonies they went right to playing tournament 9-Ball and had nothing but snooker cues. My grandfather would have loved it.
Attached photo 60 years old of the bomb dump in the backround you can see a B-17 being armed my favorite photo. I know this has nothing to do with pool but maybe this has everything to do with pool as my grandfather played it.
Cheers,
Gremlin