in 1954 by Fred Spencer
Site 5 was located between 'big wood' and 'ladies walk wood' to the South. The site could be approached by a roadway on Burtonwood Road opposite gate 12 at the North end of BRD site. Also, access could be gained from site 4. The site buildings were laid out around a 'loop' road.
The site got its name 'Billy Mitchell' who was regarded as the father of the United States Air Force. Also, the North American B25 Mitchell aircraft was named after him. The site was completed in 1943 with 174 nissan huts being constructed. In 1947 the site was refitted out.
In addition to the nissan huts the site housed the mess hall & dining hall, flight kitchen, mail rooms, theatre, dark room, hobby shop, chaplin centre, American Red Cross, boiler houses, water tower & the supply buildings. When the Americans left there was no further use for site 5 and the site closed in the early 1960's.
Site 5 - Library next to the Chapel
In the 1950s, the main base PX was located between sites 4 and 5 in a purpose-built structure similar to a shopping mall. It housed a barbershop, snack bar, and a gift shop.
The following concessions are as follows. Peter Robinson's Ladies' dress shop, Peter Lord Shoe shop, Crown Staffordshire China shop, Automobile showroom, Harry Jones watch repairs, Wedgewood China shop, Laundry and dry cleaners, Hand tailoring and alterations, Choleatons film developing and photo studio.
More Concessions are listed in the Post Exchange [PX] site plan. Photos from Allan Long.
PX for sites 4 and 5 at Burtonwood at Christmas 1951
with a Badge on the Boss which is the 8th Air Force Badge Doctored with a 'BM' in the Middle for 'Billy Mitchell During WW2.
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