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 549th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31171364
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16124767
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
![First Lieutenant Albert Rummans of the 385th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 26 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-13. His ship successfully bombed Regensburg - L/Lt.[sic] Albert Rummans, of Madison, Tenn., about to board his machine at the start of another onslaught on vital enemy targets.' Censor no: 285568. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Pre](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413633.jpg.webp?itok=wPXTh7yt)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 14069975 / O-795486
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-824894
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36827855
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Yank
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
![Bomber crews of the 385th Bomb Group return to base following a mission, they walk past a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30251) nicknamed "Piccadilly Queen". Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291750.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIR FORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive against continues against enemy continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great format](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380099.jpg.webp?itok=FQF3qJSi)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Piccadilly Queen
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lady Susie II*
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pregnant Portia, Portia's Revenge
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Dorsal Queen
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st 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)
