Fowlmere

Airfield
The control tower at Fowlmere, home of the 339th Fighter Group, 1945. Image via James G Robinson. Written on slide casing: 'Fowlmere Tower, 1945.' media-388198.jpg FRE 5982 The control tower at Fowlmere, home of the 339th Fighter Group, 1945. Image via James G Robinson. Written on slide casing: 'Fowlmere Tower, 1945.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5982 - The control tower at Fowlmere, home of the 339th Fighter Group, 1945. Image via James G Robinson. Written on slide casing: 'Fowlmere Tower, 1945.'

Just as nearby Duxford was known as the 'Duck pond' by American airmen, so Fowlmere was known as 'the Hen Puddle' because of the wet conditions that pervaded the bases during the winter of 1943-1944. The 339th Fighter Group had no choice but to persist and, flying their new P-51B Mustangs on operations from the end of April 1944, went on to record the highest claims of air and ground enemy aircraft victories in the space of one year. Fowlmere was sold to local farmers in 1957, and since 1988 part of the site has continued to operate as an airfield.

Connections

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

People

Carroll Wilfred Bennett

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 504th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19004755 / O-661696
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Brooks J Bline

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38022416 / O-661698
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Billy B Booth

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16119641
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Alec Boychuck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 503rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13023108 / O-1297656
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Elton J Brownshadel

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 504th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18114987 / O-676615
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Aircraft

42-106725

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Lil Sack
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron

42-106809

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Little Liquidator
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron 504th Fighter Squadron

42-106886

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Swede Punkie
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 504th Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron

42-106937

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron

43-12145

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron 503rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters Squadron (8th Air Force)

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Fowlmere: Gallery (121 items)

Six members of United States Army Air Force personnel, off-duty. Handwritten on slide:"Six unknown officers off-duty Fowlmere James G. Robinson"

Object number: FRE 5962 - Six members of United States Army Air Force...

A pilot entering the cockpit of a P-51 Mustang. Handwritten on slide: "Maj Enoch Stephenson 503FS about to get into P-51 for F/B mission 8/44 James G. Robinson"

Object number: FRE 5963 - A pilot entering the cockpit of a P-51 Mustang...

Four United States Army Air Force officers standing in front of a Nissen hut. Handwritten on slide: "Paul Fickel, Bernie Allen, Anthony Hawkins, Ethelbert Graham 503FS Fowlmere James G. Robinson"

Object number: FRE 5964 - Four United States Army Air Force officers...

A pilot of the 339th Fighter Group wearing a parachute, ready to board his aircraft. Handwritten on slide: "unknown pilot with chute ready for t/o"

Object number: FRE 5965 - A pilot of the 339th Fighter Group wearing a...

The pilot of a P-51 Mustang. Handwritten on slide: "Major Stephenson in cockpit 8/44 James G. Robinson"

Object number: FRE 5966 - The pilot of a P-51 Mustang. Handwritten on slide...

Ground personnel of the 339th Fighter Group enjoy refreshements from a Red Cross van on the flight line at Fowlmere. Image via James G Robinson. Written on slide casing: 'Flight Line crew get refreshments from Red Cross.'

Object number: FRE 5967 - Ground personnel of the 339th Fighter Group enjoy...

A flight surgeon of the 339th Fighter Group with his field ambulance at Fowlmere. Image via James G Robinson. Written on slide casing: 505 FS flight surgeon and ambulance, Fowlmere.'

Object number: FRE 5972 - A flight surgeon of the 339th Fighter Group with...

An airman of the 339th Fighter Group with a Red Cross Girl in her Red Cross Van on the flight line at Fowlmere. Written on slide casing: 'Unknown officer and Red Cross Girl.'

Object number: FRE 5974 - An airman of the 339th Fighter Group with a Red...

P-51 Mustangs, including (5Q-D, serial number 44-14011) nicknamed "Lou 'N Sue" of the 339th Fighter Group lined up at Fowlmere. Image via James Starnes. Written on slide casing: '504 FS dispersals Fowlmere.'

Object number: FRE 5979 - P-51 Mustangs, including (5Q-D, serial number 44...

The control tower at Fowlmere, home of the 339th Fighter Group, 1945. Image via James G Robinson. Written on slide casing: 'Fowlmere Tower, 1945.'

Object number: FRE 5982 - The control tower at Fowlmere, home of the 339th...

Captain Lloyd J "Jeff" French and airman of the 339th Fighter Group with a P-51 Mustang (D7-A, serial number 44-11623) nicknamed "Rusty". Image via James Starnes. Written on slide casing: 'Cpt JL French & 411623 D7-A. A/C which Preddy KIA.'

Object number: FRE 5983 - Captain Lloyd J "Jeff" French and airman of the...

A P-51 Mustang (5Q-O, serial number 44-15499) nicknamed "Punkie II" of the 339th Fighter Group.

Object number: FRE 5984 - A P-51 Mustang (5Q-O, serial number 44-15499)...