390th Bomber Group, Heavy
Military Years
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Bob enlisted and was trained to become a co/pilot to a B-17 Bombers. He was sent to England, to Framlingham, at the Parham Air base. The Parham air base, was quite the piece of work, built in 1942; within the build there was lots of materials used. “500,000 square yards of concrete, 4,500,000 bricks, 32,000 square yards of tarmac, 20 miles of drains, 6 miles of water mains, 4 miles of sewers, 10 miles of roads, which was 20 feet wide, roads, paths and runways totalled in excess of 35 miles and 10 miles of electrical conduit. The total cost was £1,000,000 which is equal to $4,000,000 U.S dollars (based on the 1943 currency exchange rate).” Information Parham Airfield Museum website (http://www.parhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/index.htm). Just to put into today’s perspective, that has the same buying power as nearly 56 million dollars in our current economy. The 568th through the 571st bomber squadrons were stationed here--out of which Robert belonged to the 570th bombardier squadron. Second Lieutenant Watson was flying his fourth combat mission; It was June 12, 1944; as the 390th Bomber Group, Heavy went out to fly their mission over Northeastern France. The goal was to take out some German controlled airfields, railroads, bridges, and other geographical advantages. The weather conditions were very poor, making an already dangerous task that much worse. he was hit in the face with flak, which blew out his left eye, killing him instantly. Making Robert J. Watson a Purple heart recipient and an American Hero.