Great Ashfield

Airfield
Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.' media-413589.jpg FRE 4905 Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.' Roger Freeman Collection

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 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32214948 / O-677681
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
Bruno Gallerani
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31128083
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Panting Stork
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Vat 69
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 398th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron 600th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stork Club
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Homesick Angel
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association.  https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Great-Ashfield-Winter-1943-…

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association

https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Fire.pdf

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have 'Gt Ashfield' in their biography fields.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Great Ashfield: Gallery (132 items)