Members from North Weald and Royal Norwegian air forces came together to commemorate the 75th anniversary of association yesterday.

Commemorative wreaths were laid at the North Weald Airfield memorial on Monday, July 15, to mark when Norwegian pilots flew from the airfield during World War II.

Major General Tonje Skinnarland Chief of the Royal Norwegian Airforce and senior Norwegian government officials joined Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Richard Bassett in laying wreaths to mark the anniversary.

Cllr Bassett said: “We are very happy to continue the cultural and personal ties forged during the war with our Norwegian friends and allies.

“Norwegian veterans have returned periodically – sometimes with the support of the Royal Norwegian Airforce - and people from North Weald visiting Norway.

“Our council bought the airfield in the 1980s and the Norwegian association is part of its rich history.”

Colonel John Andreas Olsen, Defence Attache to the Norwegian Embassy in London, also served representative of the Norwegian Government on the day.

The unique friendship came about in 1942 when two Norwegian squadrons Nos. 331 and 332 moved to North Weald to the Norwegian Government’s exile to the UK.

They became known as the North Weald Wing of the Norwegian Airforce and squadron 331 became the highest scoring fighter squadron in the South of England.