East Wretham

Airfield
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). 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, 3 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

Object Number - 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,...

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

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Edward L Clark

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1641165
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Buell R Clark

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15375411 / O-834582
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Cornelius J Collins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12168395 / O-547340
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Bruce E Compton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37449126
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio Mechanic

Dick D Connelly

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 364th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Squadron 384th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17065726 / O-692662
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

42-75409

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Squadron

42-75416

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Squadron 397th Fighter Squadron

42-76416

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 406th Fighter Group 370th Fighter Squadron 513th Fighter Squadron
P-47 Thunderbolts (LJ-B, serial number 42-8381, "War Weary") nicknamed "Little One" and (LJ-D, serial number 42-7896, "War Weary") and RAF AT-6 Texans at East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Assoicated caption:' P-47 "Little One" LJ-P 28381 dark green w/ white cowl band, tow target ship that TP Smith flew up to 39,500 ft.'

42-7896

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron 3rd Gunnery & Tow Target Flight
P-47 Thunderbolts (LJ-B, serial number 42-8381, "War Weary") nicknamed "Little One" and (LJ-D, serial number 42-7896, "War Weary") and RAF AT-6 Texans at East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Assoicated caption:' P-47 "Little One" LJ-P 28381 dark green w/ white cowl band, tow target ship that TP Smith flew up to 39,500 ft.'

42-8381

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: - Little One
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 328th Fighter Squadron 3rd Gunnery & Tow Target Flight

Revisions

Date
Contributorcpeters58
Changes
Sources

Adding

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)

East Wretham: Gallery (201 items)

370th Fighter Squadron Pilots stand with a board outlining details of their last mission at East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Printed caption on reverse: '359th FG Photos Source: T.P. Smith via Char Baldridge, Historian Description: #55 a flight of pilots for last mission L-R: B. Schwartz, unidentified, John F. McAlevey, Harry L. Schecter, Albert Bennyworth.'

Object number: FRE 6159 - 370th Fighter Squadron Pilots stand with a board...

The insignia of the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group after ebign taken down at East Wretham. Associated caption: '370th socre board.'

Object number: FRE 6160 - The insignia of the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th...

Personnel of the 359th Fighter Group with the insignia of the 370th Fighter Squadron and signage that has been taken down at East Wretham. Caption on reverse: '359th FG Photos Source: T.P. Smith via Char Baldridge, Historian. Description: #58 personnel pose w/ signage after it was torn down. Holding sign over his head Dick Straub, John Benton (S2) holding intellegence sign, 2nd form [sic] right is James K. Lovett behind locker sign is Berg, to left of locer [sic] sign is John F. McAlevey.'

Object number: FRE 6161 - Personnel of the 359th Fighter Group with the...

Signage, including a mission board for the 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group after being taken down at East Wretham. Associated caption: 'Pile of junk with 370th mission board.'

Object number: FRE 6162 - Signage, including a mission board for the 370th...

The ruins of an old chruch near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Associated caption: 'Old ruins near East Wretham.'

Object number: FRE 6163 - The ruins of an old chruch near East Wretham, home...

St Andrews Church near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Associated caption: 'Old St Andrews church.'

Object number: FRE 6164 - St Andrews Church near East Wretham, home of the...

A road leading from East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group, to a nearby farmhouse. Associated caption: 'Road to farm house near base.'

Object number: FRE 6165 - A road leading from East Wretham, home of the...

A farmhouse near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Assoicated caption: 'House by road.'

Object number: FRE 6166 - A farmhouse near East Wretham, home of the 359th...

Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Associated caption: 'An elevation of the hall at East Wretham.'

Object number: FRE 6167 - Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th...

Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Associated caption: 'An elevation of the hall at East Wretham.'

Object number: FRE 6168 - Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th...

Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Associated caption: 'An elevation of the hall at East Wretham.'

Object number: FRE 6169 - Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th...

Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Associated caption: 'An elevation of the hall at East Wretham.'

Object number: FRE 6170 - Wretham Hall near East Wretham, home of the 359th...