Chipping Ongar
Airfield
media-380243.jpg
FRE 1306
The control tower of the 387th Bomb Group at Willingale Airfield.
Roger Freeman Collection
AAM Photo
The air base was constructed by the 831st Engineer Battalion (Aviation) in late August 1942. The 387th Bomb Group were the only American group to be based there, flying B-26 Marauders in strategic missions over France, first for the Eighth and then for the Ninth Air Force after October 1943. The Group supported the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and left Chipping Ongar in preparation for the move to France the following month.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 387th Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron 557th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16044004
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Togglier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15055746
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37423489
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31134836
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Flying Ginny
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Booger Red II
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Duck Butt II
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron