Discover the Stories of the Masters of the Air
Explore the Air War Over Europe
Discover the history of Allied air operations and the challenges faced by bomber crews during the Second World War.
Learn About the Airmen's Experiences
Understand the risks, courage and personal stories of those who took part in the air campaigns.
Visit the airfields of bomber and fighter groups
We visit Steeple Morden, Snetterton, Old Buckenham, Thorpe Abbotts and Bottisham to explore the bases used by Eighth Air Force units. In The Footsteps Tours, we connect the airfields with aircraft such as the P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang and the bombers associated with the campaign. Our historian shares the operational context of each group and considers how life on these stations supported missions over occupied Europe. Aircrew shaped daily missions.
Connect the air war with museums and remembrance
The itinerary includes the Imperial War Museum and American Air Museum at Duxford, a themed walk in Bury St Edmunds and the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. In The Footsteps Tours, we use museum collections and memorial records to connect the airfields with the people who served from them. The three-day private tour begins in London and includes local visits across East Anglia before the return journey. Names preserve memory.
Day 1
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Steeple Morden, base of the 355th Fighter Group (P-47 Thunderbolt, later P-51 Mustang), which destroyed more enemy aircraft by ground strafing than any other Eighth Air Force fighter group
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The Imperial War Museum and American Air Museum at Duxford (lunch at one of two cafes)
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Overnight in Bury St Edmunds
Day 2
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A one-hour "Masters of the Air" walking tour of Bury St Edmunds
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Snetterton, home of the 96th Bomb Group, which had the highest loss rate of any Eighth Air Force bomb group
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Old Buckenham, home of the 453rd Bomb Group, where Major Jimmy Stewart served as Group Operations Officer and Walter Matthau as a radioman-gunner (lunch at the Liberator Cafe)
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Thorpe Abbotts, home of the 100th Bomb Group, the "Bloody Hundredth" at the centre of the Masters of the Air series, and its airfield museum
Day 3
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Bottisham, base of the 361st Fighter Group, which flew P-47s and then P-51s from January 1944
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Lunch at an English pub
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The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial: 3,811 US war dead and 5,127 names on the Walls of the Missing
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The Eagle pub in Cambridge, then return to London
Itineraries are subject to change for operational reasons. Any changes will be advised before departure.
Price: From £885.00 GBP per person
Based on: pick-up and drop-off from your tour hotel; six people touring; a dedicated tour vehicle driven by an expert battlefield historian; two people sharing a twin room.
Notes: Costs may vary with hotel availability and selection. Single occupancy supplement £330.00. A supplement may apply for anniversary dates. Deposit is 30% per person. Booking indicates acceptance of the Standard Terms and Conditions.