Atcham

Airfield
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). 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

Object Number - 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...

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

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People

Major Leon M. Blanding, a pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, at Debden. He wears an A-2 flight jacket.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 335th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885205
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16004858 / O-686806
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12075402 / O-799063
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 356th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 360th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-190736
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
First Lieutenant Quince L. Brown of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, with P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-J, serial number 42-74753) probably at Duxford air base. 1943-1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '50203 USAF - Europe - First man in the European theatre to destroy four German planes on one day while flying a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter is 1/Lt. Quince L. Brown, Jr. of Bristow, Okla. He is pictured here with his dog, right next to his plane insignia "OKIE". For 19 long months a fligh
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18031550 / O-412502
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

The burning wreck of a P-38 Lightning (serial number 42-67490) of the 496th Fighter Training Group.
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 496th Fighter Training Group 552nd Fighter Squadron 554th Fighter Training Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
Engine from P-47 42-74640
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 370th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group Headquarters Squadron (2906th Observation Training Group)
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 551st Fighter Training Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Pistol Packin Mama
  • Unit: 48th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 493rd Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorCallan H
Changes
Sources

Google maps, internet research

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Atcham: Gallery (15 items)