Headcorn

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Headcorn airfield looking north, 4 April 1946. Photograph taken by No. 540 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1377. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-294.jpg RAF_106G_UK_1377_FV_7037 Aerial photograph of Headcorn airfield looking north, 4 April 1946. Photograph taken by No. 540 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1377. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_1377_FV_7037 - Aerial photograph of Headcorn airfield looking north, 4 April 1946. Photograph taken by No. 540 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1377. English...

Built as an RAF Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), work on the airfield began in early 1943. It was improved and made ready for USAAF use by adding more aircraft standings and temporary buildings. Accommodation was provided in the form of tents and requisitioned local buildings. The first American unit to be based there was the 362nd Fighter Group, equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. It arrived in April, and flew from the base until July, when it moved to France to support the Allied liberation of Europe. The temporary airfield was returned to its civilian owners in September 1944, and the land returned to agriculture.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 377th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 377th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-745388
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 377th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36014941 and O-802041
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 379th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12180990
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class
  • Role/Job: Armorer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 379th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793536
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 379th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Damon's Demon, Archie and Mehatibel
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 379th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 377th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Ninth Then and Now (London, 1994)

Headcorn: Gallery (5 items)