Chipping Ongar

Airfield
The control tower of the 387th Bomb Group at Willingale Airfield. media-380243.jpg FRE 1306 The control tower of the 387th Bomb Group at Willingale Airfield. Roger Freeman Collection

AAM Photo

Object Number - FRE 1306 - The control tower of the 387th Bomb Group at Willingale Airfield.

The air base was constructed by the 831st Engineer Battalion (Aviation) in late August 1942. The 387th Bomb Group were the only American group to be based there, flying B-26 Marauders in strategic missions over France, first for the Eighth and then for the Ninth Air Force after October 1943. The Group supported the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and left Chipping Ongar in preparation for the move to France the following month.

Connections

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People

Robert L Abell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Gunner

Ernest L Anderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-731784
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Neil G Bartholme

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-677649
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Houston H Bartley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20836581 at enlistment, then O-xxxxxx
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

William T Boren

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-406516
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

41-31629

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Janets Dream
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron

41-31640

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Lil Grim Reaper
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron

41-31653

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: King Bee
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31657) nicknamed "Mississippi Mudcat" of the 387th Bomb Group, at Chipping Ongar, 1944. Image via George Vasaumper.

41-31657

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Mississippi Mudcat
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
Colonel George Snyder of the 387th Bomb Group and his crew, with their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Wuneach". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'George Snyder (Ext Left) & crew. From Col RW Keller.'

41-31666

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Wuneach Airplane
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date17 Feb 2015 06:13:12
Contributordrh1957nb
ChangesChanges to media associations
Sources

Crew Photo

Date27 Sep 2014 18:02:16
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

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

Chipping Ongar: Gallery (31 items)