Grafton Underwood

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Grafton Underwood airfield looking north east, Geddington village is on the left, 22 April 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC309. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). eh-258.jpg US_7PH_GP_LOC309_V_5020 Aerial photograph of Grafton Underwood airfield looking north east, Geddington village is on the left, 22 April 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC309. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). Historic England

384thbombgroup.com

Object Number - US_7PH_GP_LOC309_V_5020 - Aerial photograph of Grafton Underwood airfield looking north east, Geddington village is on the left, 22 April 1944. Photograph taken by 7th...

Grafton Underwood was built in 1941 by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd. It was the first airfield in England to receive an Eighth Air Force flying unit, when in May 1942 personnel of the 15th Bomb Squadron took up residence. As a satellite airfield for Polebrook, the airfield was then home to two squadrons of the 97th Bomb Group. The airfield became home to succession of Bomb Groups, including the 305th, 96th, and 384th, all equipped with B-17s. The RAF's No. 236 Maintenance Unit occupied the airfield after the war, before being declared surplus to requirements in 1959. A memorial to the crews that flew from the airfield was erected in 1977.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32931629
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-2075207
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane.  Five men standing to the rear, five men kneeling in front.  Large canvas bags are laying in front of kneeling men
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-753791
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-581896
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Intelligence Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Mokler and his crew of the 305th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Printed caption on reverse: '1st Lt. Mokler and crew of the 305th bomb Gp., are shown beside a B-17 Flying Fortress. 22 November 1942. England (GP-64A). U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 384th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Rigor Mortis". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 12 Jun 1943.' [stamp] and '269268.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"RIGOR MORTIS" CARRIES LIVE BOMBS AFTER RAID. Associated Press Photo shows: The full crew of the "Rigor Mortis" at their base after their return from Wilhelmhaven Friday, June 11. Front row, left to right: Sgt. William Mooney, Chicago; Sgt. Bernard M Knight
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Rigor Mortis
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 305th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission. B-17F (KY-G, serial number 41-24592) nicknamed "Madame Betterfly" is visible in the foreground. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publciation 26 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '280694.' [Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Madame Butterfly
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: El Lobo
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Removed media associations which do not depict, or cannot be positively identified to depict Grafton Underwood

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ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected up aircraft records with 'Grafton Underwood' in their biography field.

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Contributorrossingtonj
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ContributorL2M2
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Personal Records
Internet research

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ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Grafton Underwood: Gallery (191 items)