Chelveston

Airfield

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.

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People

Abner Hardin Posey

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 305th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-663939 (18062140 on enlistment)
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Pilot

Aldon G Prescott

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Arthur W Riley

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
Role/Job: Radio Operator

Austin W Routhier

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 36198509
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Bernard Saltz

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 12033291
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

41-24618

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Unit: 2nd Bomb Group

41-24623

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron

41-24637

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

41-2628

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

41-9030

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Nicknames: Big Punk
Unit: 3rd Strategic Air Depot 305th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron