Chipping Ongar
Airfield
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.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32078682
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33054239
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Lucky Lady (No Pokes)
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Duffy Hot Garters #2
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Miss Kam & Blond Rebel
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
![A B-26 Marauder (ER-V, serial number 42-107685) of the 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group in flight over ships heading for Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Printed caption on reverse: '51590 AC - One of the deadly Martin B-26 (Marauders) of the 9th AF roars over the Channel at a low altitude to blast gun installations and coastal defences while landing craft steam towards the French coast. These Marauders kept up and[sic] incessant bombardment while the greatest airborne troop carrying armada ever assem](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-457888.jpg.webp?itok=raQWyovE)
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Front Burner II
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron