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.
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: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20809439 / O-688230
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31259062 / O-793680
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 82nd Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14076321 / O-792795
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 27th Air Transport Group 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 310th Ferry Squadron 61st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15071213 / O-661268
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 496th Fighter Training Group 55th Fighter Group 338th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36112790 / O-748896
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter 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
- Nicknames: WELA KAHAO!, Flak Bait
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron 351st Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 351st Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 551st Fighter Training Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron