Halesworth

Airfield
P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the 61st Fighter Squadron chat to one another after their latest mission, at Halesworth air base where the 56th Fighter Group were stationed. Left to right they are: Lieutenant-Colonel Francis S. Gabreski, Lieutenant Eugene E. Barnum and Lieutenant Frank W. Klibbe. Passed for publication 26 November 1943. media-377462.jpg FRE 218 P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the 61st Fighter Squadron chat to one another after their latest mission, at Halesworth air base where the 56th Fighter Group were stationed. Left to right they are: Lieutenant-Colonel Francis S. Gabreski, Lieutenant Eugene E. Barnum and Lieutenant Frank W. Klibbe. Passed for publication 26 November 1943. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 218 - P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the 61st Fighter Squadron chat to one another after their latest mission, at Halesworth air base where the 56th Fighter...

Halesworth was constructed in 1942-1943. Initially planned as a bomber airfield, its location close to the Suffolk coast meant that it was in an ideal position to operate escort fighters, where range was a critical factor. Consequently, the 56th Fighter Group with their P-47 Thunderbolts moved in - one of the most successful Fighter Groups in the USAAF. In April 1944 the fighters were replaced with the B-24 Liberators of the 489th Bomb Group, who occupied the airfield until November. The 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron occupied Halesworth from January 1945, equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts, CA-10 Catalinas and lifeboat-equipped B-17s. The airfield was also briefly used as a training base for P-51 pilots before the end of the war in Europe. The Royal Navy took over Halesworth in August 1945, using it as a training base, before it was closed for flying in early 1946. It was sold in 1963.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 489th Bomb Group 845th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32202452 / O-686150
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
The nose art of a P-47 Thunderbolt (5f-E, serial number 42-8693) nicknamed "Miss Margaret (Pee Wee)" of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'June 4, 45. Debden, Essex. A rare shot of 5th ERS, P-47s. Note dinghy racks under wing.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 489th Bomb Group 844th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18082022 / O-693557
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 489th Bomb Group 844th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17072533
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

A P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft (HV-A serial number 42-75154), of the 56th Fighter Group. Handwritten on slide:"16 MM"
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Sad Sam
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Charming Ellen
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7552) nicknamed "Lil Cookie" of the 489th Bomb Group, used as a flight assembly ship. Image via W Portouw.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lil Cookie
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Group
The wreck of a P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-Z , serial number 42-75864) of the 56th Fighter Group owned by Colonel Hubert Zemke, but crashed by anther airman. Handwritten on image: '275864 Sal 17/3/44.' Zemke has handwritten on the reverse: 'This what happens when your aircraft is lent out. In Nov 1944 I was sent to the zone of interior on a visit to bases- & on bond ralleys. Somehow my personal aircraft was lent to someone nt quite up to its capabilities. On my return I noticed a later freshly painted model stoo
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: The Greek
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Roger Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Manual (London, 2001)

Michael Bowyer, Action Stations 1: Wartime Military Airfields of East Anglia 1939-1945 (Cambridge, 1979)

Halesworth: Gallery (156 items)