Attlebridge
Airfield
IWM, English Heritage Collection
Object Number - RAF_3G_TUD_UK_51_V_5191 - Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken...
Attlebridge was constructed for RAF use and completed to that standard in 1942. However, with news that it was to be assigned to the American Air Force, the runways were extended and additional hardstandings and outbuildings constructed for the heavy bombers that would shortly be arriving. In actual fact the first American visitors, of the 319th Bomb Group, flew medium B-26 Marauders. They arrived in October 1942 to use the base as a satellite field for Horsham St. Faith but by the next month they were moving on to North Africa with the Twelfth Air Force. After that the base was used to train B-24 Liberator crews for the 2nd Bomb Wing. The first full Group to be stationed at Attlebridge were the 466th Bomb Group, who arrived in February 1944.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 787th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39695275
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Nose Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18108816
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 466th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32729517
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-417335
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Squadron Commander - Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Mammy Yokum
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Lady Lightning
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: The Madame
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Slick Chick
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group
Revisions
Wasson, Earl and Brassfield, Chris, “Attlebridge Arsenal: The Men and Aircraft of the 466th Bomb Group.” Turner Publishing Company, Paducah, Kentucky, 2005. 96th Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Attlebridge England, Station 120. 466th Bomb Group, 785th Bomb Squadron, Crew #584. Page 247.
Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)
