Great Ashfield
Airfield
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4905 - Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.'
The airfield was built in 1942 by John Laing & Son Ltd. 108,000 tons of concrete was used in its construction, creating a Class 'A' airfield suitable for heavy bombers. The 385th Bomb Group took up residence in the summer of 1943, and remained at the airfield until 1945. In total the 385th flew 296 missions from Great Ashfield, losing 129 B-17s. From October 1945 Maintenance Command took control of the airfield, before the site was abandoned in 1959-1960.
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: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18038978 / O-664864
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12150071
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-827757
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
![A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9017) of the 92nd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 5 Sep 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Q.13312: A Flying Fortress photographed in flight at a U.S. Training Centre.' On reverse: Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408318.jpg.webp?itok=fHieGQdP)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Heidi Ho
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 342nd Bomb Squadron
![A formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group fly B-17 (serial number 41-9103) nicknamed "Dixie Demo", at Bassingbourn following a raid on Antwerp, 6 April 1943. A censor has obscured a hanger in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 6 APR 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 6 APR 1943 INTLD 29 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp]. 'Copyright Planet News ?, Johnson's Court, London E.C.4' [stamp].'256834'[Censor](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379128.jpg.webp?itok=-joMBehz)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Dixie Demo
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Slick Chick
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Wee Willie Wilber
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Kentucky Winner
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association. https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Great-Ashfield-Winter-1943-…
Connected aircraft records that have 'Gt Ashfield' in their biography fields.
Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)
![Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group plan the route of their next raid. A censor has obscured the maps they are viewing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed as censored 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291704.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIR FORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive against Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Forces and the RAF.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380130.jpg.webp?itok=NfKSZvtf)
![Sergeant Gerald Farley Syracuse, chief clark of the 385th Bomb Group passes a message to Major James H. Lewis. A censor has obscured some of the documents pinned to the board in the background. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287573.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Master Sgt. Gerald Farley Syracuse, New York, chief](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380138.jpg.webp?itok=n5FELNiG)
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
![Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group with a captured flag bearing the Nazi swastika. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sept 1943.' [stamp], '282478.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#77 Airmen with insignia off Nazi flag.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380156.jpg.webp?itok=JyiL5AF2)
![Lieutenant-Colonel Preston Piper of the 385th Bomb Group reports to intelligence officer First Lieutenant John Murray after a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication [illegible] Nov 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘292906.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO THE HEROIC FLYERS OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE. So many American flyers of the Eighth Air Force here achieved many high distinctions that the presentation of medals and awards ha](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380169.jpg.webp?itok=Rr_MGZxP)
