Grafton Underwood

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Grafton Underwood airfield looking north east, Geddington village is on the left, 22 April 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC309. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). eh-258.jpg US_7PH_GP_LOC309_V_5020 Aerial photograph of Grafton Underwood airfield looking north east, Geddington village is on the left, 22 April 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC309. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). Historic England

384thbombgroup.com

Object Number - US_7PH_GP_LOC309_V_5020 - Aerial photograph of Grafton Underwood airfield looking north east, Geddington village is on the left, 22 April 1944. Photograph taken by 7th...

Grafton Underwood was built in 1941 by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd. It was the first airfield in England to receive an Eighth Air Force flying unit, when in May 1942 personnel of the 15th Bomb Squadron took up residence. As a satellite airfield for Polebrook, the airfield was then home to two squadrons of the 97th Bomb Group. The airfield became home to succession of Bomb Groups, including the 305th, 96th, and 384th, all equipped with B-17s. The RAF's No. 236 Maintenance Unit occupied the airfield after the war, before being declared surplus to requirements in 1959. A memorial to the crews that flew from the airfield was erected in 1977.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Alfred Norris Miner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34788584 / O-2070094
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Alex Joseph Nemeth

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 35528109
  • Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Ground Crew
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front. Some of the men are wearing flying gear.

Alfred Charles Nuttall

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 545th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (384th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-404094
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Group Operations Officer / Squadron Commander

Albert O Obregon

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group Detachment A (1140th Military Police Company)
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class
The insignia of the 546th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

Alfred J Rose

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39054199
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9017) of the 92nd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 5 Sep 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Q.13312: A Flying Fortress photographed in flight at a U.S. Training Centre.' On reverse: Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

41-9017

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Heidi Ho
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 342nd Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9019) nicknamed "Little Skunk Face" of the 92nd Bomb Group prepares for take off. Printed caption on reverse: 'New "Fortress" Makes History In The Air. Oct. 1942. The most striking development of the war in the air is undoubtedly the sensational success of the American "Boeing" Flying Fortresses in the daylight bombing of enemy-occupied territory. In the most recent operation 105 German craft were destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged, for the loss of four bombe

41-9019

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lil Skunk Face
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 381st Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 92nd Bomb Group fly in formation during a training exercise. Aircraft are, from left to right: B-17E (serial number 41-9022) nicknamed "Alabama Exterminator", B-17E (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", B-17E (UX-?, serial number 41-9017) nicknamed "Heidi Ho", B-17E (UX-V, serial number 41-9013), B-17E (UX-S, serial number 41-9154) nicknamed "The Bat out of Hell", B-17E (serial number 41-9132). Printed caption on reverse: 'B-26340 AC - Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortres

41-9022

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Alabama Exterminator II
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 92nd Bomb Group

41-9023

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yankee Doodle
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron 324th Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron

41-9024

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: King Condor
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Removed media associations which do not depict, or cannot be positively identified to depict Grafton Underwood

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected up aircraft records with 'Grafton Underwood' in their biography field.

Date
Contributorrossingtonj
Changes
Sources

Geddington Archive: http://www.geddington.net/latest-news/

Date
ContributorL2M2
Changes
Sources

Personal Records
Internet research

Date
Contributormcordell4
Changes
Sources

http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/SortieReport.php?SortieKey=47…

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978).

Grafton Underwood: Gallery (191 items)

Half-circle corrugated metal building with sign that reads, Officer's Club & Mess. Three women in white nurses uniform walking outside the building.

Object number: UPL 68008 - Grafton Underwood Officers Club mess and nurses.

Two half-circle shaped buildings with chimney stack at the end of one building. There are bicycles parked outside. A man is leaning out a window.

Object number: UPL 68013 - Grafton Underwood Photo Lab.

A large wooden airplane hanger with a military airplane parked inside. The plane is missing two propellors. A man is sitting atop of the airplane with

Object number: UPL 68018 - Major aircraft maintenance at Grafton Underwood.

The underside of a military airplane in the air. The letter J, D, X, and a circle that contains a star are painted on the side of the plane.

Object number: UPL 68027 - 44-8789, 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group

Military airplane in flight. Plane is silver with the letter SD and D painted on the side. A triangle containing the letter P is painted on the tail. There are two other planes in the background.

Object number: UPL 68036 - 43-38647, 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

Bottom view of silver military airplane in flight. The letters JD and C are painted on the side. There is a triangle painted on the tail and a circle with a star in the middle is painted on the side and wing.

Object number: UPL 68045 - 44-8408, 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group

Man in military uniform, including leather bomber jacket and gloves, standing in front of military aircraft.

Object number: UPL 68058 - Col. Julius K. Lacey, 384th Bombardment Group...

Headshot of man wearing military uniform. The man has dark hair with gray hair on the sides.

Object number: UPL 68071 - Colonel Julius Kahn Lacey, 384th BG CO from 6...

Two men, wearing Air Force uniform including hat, standing outdoors, facing each other, and shaking hands.

Object number: UPL 68101 - Col. Julius Lacey (right) takes command of the...

Two men, wearing Air Force uniform including hat, standing outdoors front of a car, facing each other, and shaking hands.

Object number: UPL 68110 - Left to right: Colonel Julius K. Lacey, Colonel...

Large gathering of men grouped into three rows. All but two of the men are in Air Force uniform. The first row of men are kneeling. They are standing in front of a single story structure with a metal corrugated roof.

Object number: UPL 68125 - Press and Army Officers visiting Grafton Underwood...

Man in Air Force uniform standing in front of a plane with one propellor

Object number: UPL 68149 - Col. Budd Peaslee, HQ, 384th Bomb group, and his P...