Chelveston

Airfield
Ground crews of 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortresses wait for their aircraft to return to Chelveston airbase after a raid on the 30 June 1943; a B-17 Flying Fortress is coming in to land. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresse media-458191.jpg FRE 10410 Ground crews of 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortresses wait for their aircraft to return to Chelveston airbase after a raid on the 30 June 1943; a B-17 Flying Fortress is coming in to land. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses station where hige[sic] bombers take off for the raids or return from their missions to be serviced by the ground crews, ready for the next raid. Keystone Photo Shows:-' Damaged printed caption also attached to reverse: 'Ground crews waiting for Flying Fortress [to?] return from a mission. [U.S.]Pool/F. Keystone (SS). 13-18.' Censor no: 272245. On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 10410 - Ground crews of 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortresses wait for their aircraft to return to Chelveston airbase after a raid on the 30 June 1943; a...

Chelveston was adapted and expanded in preparation for the arrival of American forces. Rather than heavy bombers, the first aircraft to fly from its runways were C-47 Skytrains that were flown by the 60th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. The first combat group posted to Chelveston were the 301st Bomb Group who flew a handful of missions before moving to North Africa with the Twelfth Air Force in the aftermath of Operation Torch. The next Bomb Group to fly from the base were the 305th, another B-17 Group. The Group flew 330 missions from here and, as one of the first B-17 Groups to fly in the ETO, it was from here that some of the pioneering techniques and formations were developed.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Arnold H Mercier

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728225
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Observer

Albert F Miller

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Albert Ray Moline

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37047972
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Bishop Adna Wright Leonard with Colonel Anthony Mustoe and Brigadier General Chauncey. Image stamped on reverse: 'Confidential.' [stamp],'Passed for publication 27 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '26114.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Bishop Adna Wright Leonard, Was DC, Chairman of the General Committee of Army and Navy Chaplains at a US Air force Headquarters in England. Greeting himis Col Anthony O Mustoe, weather office, Hot Springs VA, while Brig Gen Chauncey, Air Force Chief of Staff effects the i

Anthony Quintus Mustoe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 1st Bomb Division 305th Bomb Group 18th Weather Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-18000
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Archibald Bertie Parker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12031618
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Togglier

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 384th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Rigor Mortis". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 12 Jun 1943.' [stamp] and '269268.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"RIGOR MORTIS" CARRIES LIVE BOMBS AFTER RAID. Associated Press Photo shows: The full crew of the "Rigor Mortis" at their base after their return from Wilhelmhaven Friday, June 11. Front row, left to right: Sgt. William Mooney, Chicago; Sgt. Bernard M Knight

41-24591

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Rigor Mortis
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron

41-24593

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: El Lobo
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron

41-24601

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
B-17 Flying Fortresses, destined for the 305th Bomb Group, lined up in Gander. Handwritten caption on reverse: '41-24604 "Arkie", 305 BG Gander 21/10/42.'

41-24604

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Arkie
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron

41-24611

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Boomerang
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- user Despitz

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft record based on information in their biography.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)

Chelveston: Gallery (105 items)

Object number: UPL 23261 - Overhead view of Chelveston AF#105

Object number: UPL 23936 - B-17 Flying Fortress Moonbeam Assigned to 365BS...

Object number: UPL 23938 - Hell-Cat's crash landing Sept. 15, 1943

Object number: UPL 23939 - The picture was sent to my grandma from Don W...

Object number: UPL 24222 - B-17 Flying Fortress Moonbeam Assigned to 365BS...

Object number: UPL 24387 - Buffalo Evening News photo about the St. Nazaire...

Object number: UPL 26651 - Original crew of 41-24624 Madame Betterfly 22...

Object number: UPL 28081 - Robert E. DeMille. Co-Pilot (Top row- far left)

Object number: UPL 32349 - Captain Ivan C, Lindaman beside B-17 at Chelveston...

Object number: UPL 32350 - Captain Ivan C, Lindaman on base at 305th BG

Object number: UPL 32363 - Lloyd Lester Lund and his crew at 305th BG...

Object number: UPL 34408 - B-17 42-39948 "Leading Lady"