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: No 2 Combat Crew Replacement Center 93rd Bomb Group 2nd Replacement & Training Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17180109
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 848th Bomb Squadron 850th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13144366 / O-829084
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 848th Bomb Squadron 850th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17136856
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball turret gunner