Prime minister Winston Churchill and American major general Dwight Eisenhower stood side by side in the control tower of RAF Swanton Morley as a dozen Douglas Boston bombers lifted off into the sky.
Their targets on that day in 1942 were four airfields in the Nazi-controlled Netherlands, which they attacked in a daring low-level daylight raid.
It was July 4 - the day the US celebrates as Independence Day - but this time it resonated far beyond America's shores.
For the raid was the USA’s first official involvement in the Second World War following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7 the previous year.
READ MORE: Have runaway rheas really roamed 30 miles across Norfolk?
And this week the 81st anniversary of this 'transatlantic air alliance' has been celebrated at the same spot - now the site of Robertson Barracks - which has been home to light cavalry reconnaissance regiment the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards since 2015.
Major Arthur Purbrick, who organised the July 11 event, said: “Tonight was a joint commemoration of those who have flown on operations from this airfield during the Second World War.
“We have celebrated our enduring relationship with our American cousins by hosting US service people from Norfolk in Norfolk once again.
“I don’t think it’s ever been more important. It started here and endures to this day.”
Station and unit commanders from RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Marham were at the celebration, along with generals, admirals and other serving and past members of the British and American armed forces, and supporters.
The bombers that took part in the raid were American-made, and part of 226 Squadron, which was based at the airfield.
Six were manned by aircrew of the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the forerunner of the United States Air Force.
Three bombers - two crewed by Americans and one by British aviators - were lost in the raid on the airfields at Bergen Alkmaar, Haamstede, De Kooy and Valkenburg.
READ MORE: Relief as missing goats Sugar and Spice are found after being spooked by fireworks
And the 'transatlantic air alliance' remains strong - MoD figures show there are more than 1,800 American personnel and their families still stationed in Norfolk, and the USAF operates from Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Marham.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here