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 550th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14164765
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Mississippi Miss
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Sweet Chariot
- Unit: 549th Bomb Squadron 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Gloria Ann II
![Lieutenant Robert M. Turner of the 385th Bomb Group examines bomb damage in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (SG-N, serial number 42-107031) at Great Ashfield, 23 May 1944. Official caption on image: "(GM-26-12-385)(23-5-44)(G.A. Bomb Damage)." Official caption also on front of other print: "62618 A.C." Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt. Robert M. Turner, 550th Squadron, Lost on 13 July 1944 over Munich - nickname? Know of this history behind this shot? [CredD?] E. Vandevanter.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413693.jpg.webp?itok=pBFaNSFe)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Reluctant Lady
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th 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)
