Toome

Airfield

Built during 1942-43 as a bomber OTU satellite, first to RAF Cluntoe and then to RAF Nutt’s Corner, Toome had three concrete runways, 30 pan type hardstandings, and two pairs of T2 hangars. 50 concrete 'fingers’ were added for aircraft storage during the winter of 1943-44. Transferred to the Eighth Air Force in July 1943 for training A-20 and B-26 crews for both the 8th and Ninth Air Forces, the station became home to the HQ of the 3rd Combat Crew Replacement Centre Group in November 1943. This remained assigned to Eighth Air Force Composite Command, despite training twin-engine bomber crews exclusively for Ninth Air Force Bomber Command. Handed back to the RAF in November 1944, Toome had no more resident flying units and was transferred to the Admiralty in 1954. Closed in 1959, the site was gradually returned to agriculture from 1961 and largely demolished. However, the Control Tower was converted as a private home and several other wartime buildings also survive, albeit in derelict condition.

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2073028
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator, Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center)
  • Service Numbers: 34336934
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 1253rd Military Police Company
  • Service Numbers: 35487587
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class
  • Role/Job: Military Policeman
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center
  • Service Numbers: 33067613 / O-815093
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bomber pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center
  • Service Numbers: 12139370 / O-762712
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center)
A B-26 Marauder (ER-T, serial number 41-18072) of the 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group at Andrews Field airbase on the 14 May 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Andrews Field, 322BG, 450BS. Lt. N.L. Haltvey on 14/5/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Ninth Then and Now (London, 1994)

David J. Smith, Action Stations 7: Military Airfields of Scotland, the North-east and Northern Ireland (Cambridge, 1989)

http://ww2ni.webs.com/countylderryairfields.htm

http://www.controltowers.co.uk/T-V/Toome.htm