Atcham
Airfield
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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 14th Fighter Group 20th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 49th Fighter Squadron 77th Fighter Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (20th Fighter Group) Headquarters (20th Fighter Group) Headquarters (55th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-659814
- Highest Rank: Major General
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/deputy group commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-421774
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 31st Fighter Group 309th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2906th Observation Training Group 336th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron 552nd Fighter Training Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885138
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885231
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 67th Observation Group 107th Reconnaissance Squadron 153rd Observation Squadron
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: Headquarters (VIII Fighter Command)