- CHELVESTON AIRFIELD
- GRAFTON UNDERWOOD AIRFIELD
- DEENETHORPE AIRFIELD
- POLEBROOK AIRFIELD
- SPANHOE AIRFIELD
- KINGS CLIFFE AIRFIELD
- HARRINGTON AIRFIELD
- PODDINGTON AIRFIELD
Northamptonshire.co.uk
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From 1942 to 1945 the United States 8th Air Force operated from seven
airfields in Northamptonshire. This page contains some brief information about those Northamptonshire WWII airfields.
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From 1942 to 1945 the United States 8th Air Force operated from seven airfields in Northamptonshire:
We've heard from several people who flew out of Chelveston - we're sorry for the ommission and we'll have info available soon!!!. If you have any pictures or memories of the field, do send us an e-mail.
Was the home of the 97th Bombardment Group and the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)Other units based briefly at the airfield were the 15th Bombardment Squadron,305th Bombardment Group and the 96th Bombardment Group, flying B17 Flying
Fortresses. A granite memorial now stands at the end of the former main runway.The village church also contains a memorial window.
From Deenethorpe the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 8th Air Force flew B17s on 254 missions over Germany and occupied Europe between October 1943 and May 1945.
Home to the 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 8th Air Force, who flew B17s on 311 group combat bombing missions between 1943 and 1945, during which time they lost 175 aircraft and crews.
This airfield, near Harringworth, housed the USAAF 315th Troop Carrier Group of the 9th Air Force. Dakota's from this airfield towed gliders carrying British Polish and American troops to the D-Day beaches.
Taken over from the RAF by the 20th Fighter Group of the USAAF 8th Airforce which flew P38 Lightnings and later P51 Mustangs on bomber escort duties.
Operating with the Office of Strategic Service(US) (OSS) the USAAF 801st Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force flew special missions in B24 Liberators and other aircraft. Housed nearby in the original Operations Block of the complex is the Carpet Baggers museum which contains a comprehensive exhibition showing the wide range of activities carried out from this base. In an adjoining nissen hut is the Northamptonshire Aviation Society Museum with exhibits illustrating the air war in the county.
Just over the Northamptonshire border, Poddington was the home of the USAAF 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 8th Air Force. B17 Flying Fortresses flew a total of 308 missions.
- Visitors with memories of the war years, or relatives of those stationed here are frequent visitors to the county. We are always happy to help if we can and will gladly deal with any E-Mails
we receive.
LINKS
The Carpetbaggers - Tom Ensminger's comprehensive siteThe 8th Airforce in WWII
Bpb's B17 Page - details of the B17 Bomber
The B24 Liberator Page
Lt.Thomas A Kucskar - B17 Navigator's Log from Polebrook
1Lt George W. Mears - pilot with 511th Sq.351st Bombardment Grp at Polebrook
384th Bombardment Group (H) tribute site
To advertise call 01536 746700 or e-mail
martyn.arnold@northamptonshire.co.uk
