ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION UPPER HEYFORD Memorial Web Site "Gone But Not Forgotten"
4th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion UNITED STATES ARMY
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The 4th A.A.A. Battalion From the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
To the men and Officers of the 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 60 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
The 4th A.A.A. Battalion Unit History Page 61 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.

Lt. Col. T.H. Rousseau, Jr. Commanding Officer Page 62 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
HQ & HQ Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 63 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.

HQ & HQ Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 64 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.	HQ & HQ Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 65 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
HQ & HQ Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 66 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.	Candid Camera Page 67 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
'A' Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 68 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.	'A' Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 69 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
'B' Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 70 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.	'B' Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 71 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
'C' Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 72 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.	'C' Battery 4th A.A.A. Battalion Page 73 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.
Candid Camera Page 74 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.	Candid Camera Page 75 of the 1954 RAF Upper Heyford Yearbook. Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore, 3918th Headquarters Squadron, Dec 1952 - Dec 1955.

Submitted by Rob R. Gordon, Jr. PFC, Headquarters Battery, 4th A.A.A. Battalion, 32 Brigade, United States Army D.O.S. at RAF Upper Heyford: Jan 1955 - May 1956 I was on an outpost where we had to carry our water in a "jerry can" and we had an outdoor privy. Conditions were very primitive in those early days. I was an operations and intelligence specialist (a fancy description for an early warning radar operator). We had to walk along the flight line for approximately 2 miles to the air mess and showers. Eventually we were moved into garrison in Air Force barracks located near Lower Heyford. They had a very small PX at this end of the base. Our radar site was setup inside the gate leading to the army motor pool. The most excitement that we had during my tour was a B-47 crashing after aborting a takeoff near our radar site. The B-47 Wings would come over for 90 days and the B-36 Wings would come over for 2 weeks. As long as there was a bomber on the ground we had duty. There were also two chemical companies located near us. Their duty was to lay smoke screens when unidentified aircraft would penetrate the security of the base and they knew how to choke us with smoke. They would be in place before first morning light and not return to garrison until well after dark. They had it rough in the during the summer hours because of the extended days hours. The Army personnel were subject to duty 24 hours a day as long as you were on the base. The AP's wrote us up constantly because we were on the main part of the base in our fatigue uniforms after duty hours. We used to visit the "BLOKE" tea shop which was located approximately midway between the main base and the army area while walking to the main base for haircuts, sickcall and visits to the mainbase PX. We were always getting DR's, which the Army disregarded because we were not supposed to look pretty all the time. The AP's never could comprehend our status. Incidentally we were paid by the Department of the Air Force. In general duty with the AIR FORCE was a drastic improvement over sleeping in holes and the standard ARMY lifestyle. During the luxury of off time we spent our time in Northampton, Oxford and occasionally London. We used to patronize Whites Bar and The Nagshead Bar in Oxford at least one evening per week. There is an airman who was stationed at Upper Heyford who has been organizing annual reunions. His name is Bill Parkhurst and he runs an ad on the website regarding the reunions. I have never been able to attend because the reunions are in conflict with a veterans organization of which I am an active member and they hold their National Convention at the same time. I am on his roster which consist army personnel and airman. you may want to look him up on the website. I believe that I found him searching RAF STATION-UPPER HEYFORD. Regards, Rob

Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore 3918th Headquarters Squadron D.O.S. at RAF Upper Heyford: Dec 1952 - Dec 1955 These were really WWII type technologies. The 4th AAA had 40mm guns, which probably couldn't hit anything -- outside of a WWII aircraft. One time, some F84s flew in from Europe -- they were USAF assigned to NATO. Coming in, one dropped its auxiliary fuel tank -- and in minutes one gun site had uncovered its weapon and was preparing for shooting. The next day or so, Lt. Co. Rousseau of the 4th AAA and his guys were in base Hq. discussing SOPs on shooting at airplanes. Once each week, the RAF would fly its Meteors over on low altitude, hi speed runs for 4th AAA tracking practice. The Meteor was somewhat impressive in early 52, but was very quickly obsolete. In the mid-50s, the 4th AAA converted to a 75mm gun, called the "Skyscraper," which in turn, became obsolete quickly. The army units were well disciplined and sharp. Their officers were a tough bunch of guys. The 98th was another WWII unit whose time had passed. The theory was sort of like WWII newsreels, when ships would lay down smokescreens to hide their intentions. But radar sort of put these techniques to rest. Wanna bomb Heyford? The whole countryside is clear. But that little patch is covered with white smoke. Remember: in 52, it wasn't too far past WWII, altho we thought a lot of NCOs from that period used quaint and dated expressions. We were new guys and some of those "old army" expressions were amusing. We were the fun kids of the 50s, not a bunch of old WWII guys. Our NCOs were normally in their 30s, and didn't get out when the war ended. We kind of felt sorry for them. And England? Remember, in those days there were still many open areas, bordered up in London with damage from the war. Rationing had just ended. The girls in the PX probably made about 5-6 bucks a week. It was a poor, ragged country.

Submitted by Gerald "Jerry" E. Moore 3918th Headquarters Squadron D.O.S. at RAF Upper Heyford: Dec 1952 - Dec 1955 Personal recollections: the ones I knew were nice guys. They were in what we called "Site 3," down the road toward Lower Heyford. We had the miserable assignment of doing KP in the army messhall when ours was closed. The army guys were also in our flight line parades and always looked good--they knew how to keep in step, unlike the AF. Many of their people had rows of ribbons with combat infantry badges--they had been around. In pulling KP and watching the army morning formations, we were impressed by their demeanor. I was friends with some of them in the beer bar from 5 to closing.

Submitted Feb. 6, 2007 from: Al Trzeciak PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade D.O.S. at RAF Upper Heyford: Oct 1955 - Dec 1956 "...photos concerning the roll of the U.S. Army played at RAF base Upper Heyford. The Cold War was a serious concern. We had about four radar installations in close proximity to the flight line. Our mission at the time was to provide early warning security. At the time (1956) the base was a SAC stop with B-47's coming in from the States from the midwest. We had mess in the Air Force mess hall and the food was great. Everyone got along. Great duty, great place, great people. 50 years ago and the memories are still quite fresh."
"One of our Radar sites at RAF Upper Heyford." 4th AAA Battallion	Hq. Radar - Upper Heyford Oct 1956 Flight Line and US Army Radar Installation 4th AAA Battallion US Army Motor Pool in foreground.
"Taken from the roof of our barracks. Notice the B-47 jet bombers on the airfield in the background. 1956. 4th AAA Battallion Upper Heyford facilities shared with Air Force SAC Units TDY rotating from SAC bases in U.S."	US Army 98th Chemical Company Barracks August 1956 "Looks dreary doesn't it? Really not that bad."
Strategic Air Command B-47 1956 Upper Heyford US Army Motor Pool in foreground.	75 MM Radar Controlled AA Gun 1956 4th AAA Battallion US Army Upper Heyford
B-47s Upper Heyford 1956	HQ. Battery 4th AAA Battallion Interior of Barracks C-54 Upper Heyford, England Oct 1956
Home Sweet Home Upper Heyford, England Notice Fire Warning Triangle August 1956 Exterior 4th AAA Battallion

Off Duty/Off Base

"Oxford Tower and Corner in center of town. The guys usually meet their dates there. English parents didn't like "Yanks" as we are called here." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. August 1956 Oxford

"Looking toward the center of town. Notice double decker buses." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. Oxford August 1956

"Magdeline Tower in Oxford." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. August 1956

"Excursion boat, Thames River." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. Oxford August 1956

"Typical Rural Home. Notice the roofwork. Very common of a lot of homes out of town. I caught the old man coming out of the house to add some life to the picture." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. August 1956

"Building on right hand side of street all part of Oxford University. Very little traffic. Economy recovering after WWII." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. August 1956

"Looking down the main street in Oxford. Lack of autos; recovering from WWII." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. August 1956

"The New Inn. One of the local attractions in Oxford. Meeting place of Yanks. Also frequented by some real nice local ladies." Submitted by Al Trzeciak, PFC US ARMY, 4th AAA Batallion, Headquarters Battery, 32nd Brigade. August 1956

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This page was last updated on 19 April 2008.