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

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

People

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

Quince Lucien Brown

  • 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
Lieutenant Barney P. Casteel of the 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, stands beside his battle damaged P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-A, serial number 43-25531), May 1944.

Barney Parks Casteel

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-810471
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Anthony Samuel Cavallo

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-000974/ O-2044946
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Charles C Clamp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38031311 / O-661268
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Albert Patton Clark

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group
  • Service Numbers: O-020218
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-7982

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron
A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8442) formerly of the 56th Fighter Group, used as a hack plane and formation monitor by the 91st Bomb Group at Bassingbourn, Image by William D "Bill" Pulliam, 91st Bomb Group. Written on slide casing: 'P-47 Bassingbourn, 1943?'

42-8442

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 91st Bomb Group 551st Fighter Training Squadron 61st Fighter Squadron

42-8481

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Muriel V
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 328th Fighter Squadron 487th Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron

AD511

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

AD564

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 67th Observation Group 109th Observation Squadron 334th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron No 71 'Eagle' 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)