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

Philip Philander Griffee

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 387th Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16044004
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Togglier

James H Hamilton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15055746
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner

Norbert F Hesse

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37423489
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Gunner

George Harold Hodgson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31134836
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Captain Sherman (wearing sunglasses) of the 387th Bomb Group stands with his crew, including Lieutenant Keefe (furthest right) and B-26 Marauder nicknamed "General Sherman". Image via Henry Mitigner. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Capt. Sherman (dark glasses), Lt. Martin Keefe (last on right).'

Martin Keefe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant

Aircraft

41-31723

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Flying Ginny
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
Major Howard D. "Deacon" Hively of the 4th Fighter Group sits in the cockpit of a visiting B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Bogger Red II" of the 387th Bomb Group. Image via Romack. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Jan 14, 44. Deacon Hively flies a visiting B-26 and almost crashed it.'

41-31874

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Booger Red II
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron

41-31908

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron

41-31911

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group

41-31917

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Duck Butt II
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributordrh1957nb
Changes
Sources

Crew Photo

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
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)