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

Adam M Matauic

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 443rd Sub-Depot 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 32197034
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Airplane and Engine Mechanic
The insignia of the 544th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

Alexander John McNair

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-709424
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane. Six men standing to the rear and five men sitting in front. Some of the men are wearing cold-weather flying gear.

Albert L Merlis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-718388
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aaron Miller

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 39847494
  • Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Supply Clerk

Alexander Dale Milne

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-886493
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

An airman of the 305th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Southern Comfort". Passed for publication 17 Feb 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '305BG. 16-2-43.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

41-24617

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Southern Comfort
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron

41-24623

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron

41-24624

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Madame Betterfly
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron

41-24637

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (JW-M, serial number 41-2629) used for training purposes, formerly of the 92nd Bomb Group and a Dragon Rapide, at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Written on slide casing: 'Mount Farm.'

41-2629

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorrossingtonj
Changes
Sources

Geddington Archive: http://www.geddington.net/latest-news/

Date
ContributorL2M2
Changes
Sources

Personal Records
Internet research

Date
Contributormcordell4
Changes
Sources

http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/SortieReport.php?SortieKey=47…

Date
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)

Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane parked on grass. Six men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front. Large canvas bags are on the ground.

Object number: UPL 67815 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 3 February 1945...

Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in three rows in front of a military airplane parked on grass. Six men standing to the rear and five men seated in front. Large canvas bags are on the ground.

Object number: UPL 67828 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 19 February 1945/The...

Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Five men standing to the rear, five men kneeling in front. The men are wearing cold-weather flying gear. Large canvas bags are laying in front of kneeling men

Object number: UPL 67858 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 9 December 1944...

Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Six men standing to the rear, five men seated in front. Large canvas bags are laying in front of kneeling men

Object number: UPL 67871 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 2 November 1944...

Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane. Six men standing to the rear and five men sitting in front. Some of the men are wearing cold-weather flying gear.

Object number: UPL 67884 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 10 November 1944...

Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Six men standing to the rear, five men kneeling in front. Large canvas bags are on the ground in front of kneeling men.

Object number: UPL 67934 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 25 November 1944...

Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane. Five men standing to the rear, six men kneeling in front. Large canvas bags are on the ground in front of kneeling men.

Object number: UPL 67961 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 30 October 1944...

Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane. Six men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front. Large canvas bags are on the ground.

Object number: UPL 67974 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 25 October 1944/...

Nine men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane. Five men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front.

Object number: UPL 67987 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 5 June 1944/384th...

Room with alter holding a religious statue, candles and flowers. to the side of the alter is a manger and trees with lights. There are drapes behind the alter and a rows of wooden benches to the front. Three wreathes hang on the wall behind the alter.

Object number: UPL 67993 - The Catholic chapel at Grafton Underwood.

Elongated, Half-round shaped building with stone stacked chimney stack on the end. Surrounded by trees and enclosed by a rustic wooden fence.

Object number: UPL 67998 - Officer's club, Grafton Underwood.

Two men wearing white chef's clothing in a kitchen setting with pots and pans on shelves. Both men are holding knives and carving poultry.

Object number: UPL 68003 - Grafton Underwood Chefs carving turkeys.