Fowlmere
Airfield
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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 503rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-727573
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 504th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
![A P-51 Mustang (D7-D) nicknamed "Bengal Lancer" of the 503rd Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group prepares for take off in snow at Fowlmere, 16 January 1945. Handwritten caption on reverse: '503 Sqdn. 339 G.' Printed caption on reverse: 'B-60012 AC - North American P-51 Mustang "Bengal Lancer" warming up in the snow on an England airbase. 16 January 1945. U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: R.C. Jones [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-400707.jpg.webp?itok=R7pCRvPi)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 503rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-817124
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 503rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-440020
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-689827
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot.
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Elizabeth Jane
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Pauline
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 503rd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Itzawhiz
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 504th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Lucky Boy
- Unit: 339th Fighter Group 505th Fighter Squadron
Revisions
Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)
