Cheddington
Airfield
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5473 - Personnel of the 44th Bomb Group hoist a bicycle up a telegraph pole at Cheddington (Marsworth). Image via R Seaver.
The main runway at Cheddington fell short of the required 2,000 yards for a class A airfield and it was originally used as a satellite for groups at Bovingdon nearby. Between October 1942 and the end of war in Europe it was used as a Combat Crew Replacement Centre for B-24 crews and then, in the last year of the war, as a base for trainee fighter pilots flying P-47 Thunderbolts and soon to join either the Eighth or Ninth Air Force. The base was also home to specialist squadrons who worked to break down the enemy by means other than bombs.
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English Heritage's Record Description
A former military airfield opened in 1942. The base was initially designated as a training airfield for Royal Air Force bomber units (26 Operational Training Unit). However the hilly topography bordering the airfield did not make the base ideal for that role. In late 1942 and early 1943 the Americans took over and improved the facilities at the base within the constrictions of the local topography. The airfield was then used by specialist 8th United States Army Airforce units, such as the Night Leaflet Squadron and 36th "Bomb" Squadron , who were actually a Radio Countermeasures Squadron . By 1944 the airfield was equipped with concrete landing surfaces and looped hard standings, and four type T2 aircraft hangars. After the Allied victory in Europe the Americans left and the role of the base changed in 1946 to being the home of the Medical Training Establishment of the RAF. The base was also renamed RAF Marsworth. This closed in 1948, und the base was subsequently used as a military depot.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group 479th Fighter Group 492nd Bomb Group 436th Fighter Squadron 788th Bomb Squadron 859th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15125819 / O-701862
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot / Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 848th Bomb Squadron 850th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34931452
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 406th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group 858th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19004983
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Truckmaster/Heavy Automotive Equipment Operator/MOS931
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 848th Bomb Squadron 850th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-780498
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Charlene
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 562nd Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Good Time Cholly : Kathleen : Loma Lee
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron 545th Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Snafu : Alabama Whirlwind
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 802nd Reconnaissance Group (SP) 94th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Little warrior
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron 861st Bomb Squadron
