North Weald Airfield is set to welcome members from the Norwegian Airforce on to celebrate 75 years of association on Monday.

The unique friendship came about in 1942 when two Norwegian squadrons Nos. 331 and 332 moved to North Weald dur 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.

Major General Tonje Skinnarland, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Airforce and senior Norwegian government officials will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at North Weald to mark the occasion.

Epping Forest District Chairman, Cllr Richard Bassett, will represent North Weald Airfield at the anniversary meeting.

He said: “North Weald Airfield has a long and important history mainly for its involvement in 2 World Wars. It has associations with our own Royal Air Force, the Norwegian Air Force and the American Eagle Squadrons – volunteers from the US who also flew under RAF control from North Weald.”

“Cultural and personal ties forged during the war have endured. Norwegian veterans have returned periodically – sometimes with the support of the Royal Norwegian Airforce – and people from North Weald have visited Norway.

“Our council bought the airfield in the 1980s and we are proud to continue this association with our Norwegian friends.”

Throughout the Second World War and post-war period, the fighter squadrons based at North Weald became a symbol of resistance to the Norwegian nation.

General Skinnarland will be accompanied by Colonel John Andreas Olsen – Defence Attache to the Norwegian Embassy in London as representative of the Norwegian Government.

The ceremony will take place at North Weald Airfield Memorial on High Road on Monday, July, 15, midday.

The public are also welcome to attend.