Burtonwood

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Burtonwood airfield, 10 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/622. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-184.jpg RAF_106G_UK_622_RS_4025 Aerial photograph of Burtonwood airfield, 10 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/622. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_622_RS_4025 - Aerial photograph of Burtonwood airfield, 10 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/622. English Heritage (RAF...

Built for the RAF in 1939-40, the RAF's No. 37 Maintenance Unit used the base from 1940 to 1942, before it became a joint Anglo-American maintenance and servicing airfield - a Base Air Depot. After the war it continued to be used as a maintenance and supply site. The final Second World War buildings were demolished in 2008-9.

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Detailed History

Built for the RAF and civilian use as Burtonwood Repair Depot in 1939-40, the RAF's No. 37 Maintenance Unit and No 21 School of Technical Training used the base from 1940 to 1942.



On 23 May 1942 an agreement was reached between the RAF and the US Army Air Forces on the plan to transfer repair depot at Burtonwood to US forces following period of joint control to begin at end of June before it became Base Air Depot Area and Base Air Depot #1, as the center of supply and maintenance of all US aircraft in the 8th & 9th Air Forces. Burtonwood later becomes greatest AAF depot overseas





After the war it reverted to the RAF until 1948 when it passed back to the USAF as the support base for the US deterrent continuing in this role until 1965 when the airfield closed.



The US Army took occupation from 1967 to 1993 using it as a supply base for potential war in Europe. The final Second World War buildings were demolished in 2008-9

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 1, US Strategic Air Forces
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 10th Air Depot Group 10th Depot Repair Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Service Numbers: AF6974033
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Aerial gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 1
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 27th Fighter Group 93rd Bomb Group 310th Ferry Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Snoozin Susan
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30227) nicknamed "Wabbit Twacks II" of the 96th Bomb Group in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: 'Wabbit Twacks II - A/C interned in 7/43 flight.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wabbit Twacks III Boots III
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 413th Bomb Squadron 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stump Jumper
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: T'aint A Bird II
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shady Lady
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

AAM

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Date
ContributorAldon
Changes
Sources

None of your selected media really has anything to do with Burtonwood and I suggest it is removed. Station summary is incorrect I suggest it is changed to the following:

Built for the RAF and civilian use as Burtonwood Repair Depot in 1939-40, the RAF's No. 37 Maintenance Unit and No 21 School of Technical Training used the base from 1940 to 42, before it became Base Air Depot Area and Base Air Depot #1 as the center of supply and maintenance of all US aircraft in the 8th & 9th Air Forces. After the war it reverted to the RAF until 1948 when it passed back to the USAF as the support base for the US deterrent continuing in this role until 1965 when the airfield closed. The US Army took occupation from 1967 to 1993 using it as a supply base for potential war in Europe. The final Second World War buildings were demolished in 2008-9

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Manual (London, 2001)

David J. Smith. Action Stations 3: Military Airfields of Wales and the North-West (Cambridge, 1981)

Burtonwood: Gallery (71 items)