East Wretham
Airfield
media-377226.jpg
FRE 547
Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394) piloted by Captain René L Burtner Jr. (This was the first of Capt. Burtner's three P-51Ds and is seen here before the application of the "Hubert" noseart) First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group. P-51Ds returning from mission.'
Roger Freeman Collection
Added details of third aircraft
East Wretham was not improved to Class A standard. It retained its shorter runways, although eventually pierced-steel planking was laid to make take offs and landings easier for the Thunderbolt, and then Mustang, pilots. Steel matting was also laid to fashion more aircraft parking spaces on a site with only 27 hardstands. The 359th Fighter Group were based here between December 1943 and April 1945.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-062487 / O-2005203
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron 369th Fighter Squadron 370th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-435836
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-822590
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20135414 / O-803926
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15170119 / O-675633
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Connie
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 368th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Dotty
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
Related videos and documents
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 17573
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 17574
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 17575