Chipping Ongar
Airfield![The control tower of the 387th Bomb Group at Willingale Airfield.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/freeman/media-380243.jpg)
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
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-7341.jpeg?itok=y0hVWVqO)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-793205
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-30554.jpeg?itok=0PG-R9zO)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-738049
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18054293 / O-662706
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-30556.jpeg?itok=ahSrCkfJ)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38207065
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-40070.jpeg?itok=0TMzl_DD)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: EG
Aircraft
Related videos and documents
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 17554