Atcham
Airfield
eh-153.jpg
US_7GR_LOC416_FV_7044
Aerial photograph of Atcham airfield, looking north west, the fuel store is in the upper centre of the image, 9 September 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7GR/LOC416. English Heritage (USAAF Photography).
Historic England
IWM, English Heritage Collection
Atcham, at some remove from other American Air Force bases in Shropshire, was used by USAAF to train pilots from June 1942, several months before the American Eagle Squadrons were combined to form the 4th Fighter Group. Pilots here were mainly trained to fly P-47 Thunderbolts although a few also learnt to fly P-38 Lightnings. Atcham continued to see use as a training base until it was returned to the RAF in March 1945.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 350th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-695032
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-810471
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-000974/ O-2044946
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38031311 / O-661268
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 31st Fighter Group
- Service Numbers: O-020218
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 91st Bomb Group 551st Fighter Training Squadron 61st Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Muriel V
- Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 328th Fighter Squadron 487th Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 67th Observation Group 109th Observation Squadron 334th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron