Chipping Ongar
Airfield
media-380243.jpg
FRE 1306
The control tower of the 387th Bomb Group at Willingale Airfield.
Roger Freeman Collection
AAM Photo
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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-731784
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- 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
- 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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-406516
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Janets Dream
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Lil Grim Reaper
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: King Bee
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Mississippi Mudcat
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Wuneach Airplane
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron