Hethel

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Hethel airfield, looking south, the technical site with three T2 hangars is left, 16 April 1946. Photograph by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1429. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-309.jpg RAF_106G_UK_1429_RP_3169 Aerial photograph of Hethel airfield, looking south, the technical site with three T2 hangars is left, 16 April 1946. Photograph by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1429. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_1429_RP_3169 - Aerial photograph of Hethel airfield, looking south, the technical site with three T2 hangars is left, 16 April 1946. Photograph by No. 541 Squadron,...

Construction of Hethel airfield began in 1941, and was finished in late 1942. The number of hardstandings was increased from the planned 36 to 50 in 1942, in order to accommodate a full heavy bomb group. The 320th Bomb Group occupied the base for ten days in November 1942 before moving to North Africa. Elements of the 310th moved in in 1943, and in June that year, the 389th Bomb Group took up residence. Although assigned temporarily to North Africa and the Mediterranean, the 389th and its B-24 Liberators flew over 300 missions from Hethel. In May 1945, the airfield was handed over to the RAF, and it was closed in 1948.

Connections

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People

Arthur C Delclisur

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-688513
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Adelbert Earl Dorsett

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12086632 at enlistment, then O-689520
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Callistus Eugene Fager

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17064828 / O-739928
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Anthony J Falsone

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-704176
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Andrew Edward Felbinger

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700721
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

41-28824

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Sackwarmer
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
An AT-6D Texan (serial number 41-34624) used by 8th Air Force Headquarters at Hethel, home of the 389th Bomb Group.

41-34624

  • Aircraft Type: AT-6 Texan/Harvard
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group Headquarters (389th Bomb Group)

42-100085

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
A crashed B-24 Liberator (HP-U_, serial number 42-100146) nicknamed "Mistah Chick" of the 567th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '2100146. Mistah Chick. HP-U_. 389BG, 41 raids.'

42-100146

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Mistah Chick
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron

42-109795

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: “Q-Bar Queenie”
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb 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).

Hethel: Gallery (129 items)

A Jeep (serial number 2208943-S) in front of a T-2 Hangar at Hethel, home of the 389th Bomb Group.

Object number: FRE 7883 - A Jeep (serial number 2208943-S) in front of a T-2...

B-24 Liberators of the 389th Bomb Group line up for take off at Hethel, 31 May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '31/5/44, 234.' Printed caption removed from reverse. Censor no: 323479. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 7918 - B-24 Liberators of the 389th Bomb Group line up...

A B-24J Liberator (serial number 42-3883)of the 389th Bomb Group used as a flight assembly ship. Handwritten caption on image: "2 Comb Wing, 389 GP (Hethel) Form B-24J. Assembly Ship (no guns). Photo - John Bode." Handwritten caption on reverse: '389BG (Hethel).'

Object number: FRE 7920 - A B-24J Liberator (serial number 42-3883)of the...

The burning wreck of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40085) nicknamed "Z-Bar" of the 389th Bomb Group after crash landing at Hethel, after being damaged by British flak, 22 April 1944 Official caption on image: "A-52292 A.C." Handwritten caption on reverse: '22/4/44 B, 218. 218/RFWD225. 389BG Crash landing at base after returning from mission - all crewmen escaped.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A-52292 AC - Consolidated B-24 "Z-Bar" hit by flak over Hamm, Germany, limped home after dark in the midst of

Object number: FRE 7939 - The burning wreck of a B-24 Liberator (serial...

P-47 Thunderbolts and C-45 Expeditor of the 389th Bomb Group, used for communication purposes in front of a T-2 hangar at Hethel. Handwritten caption on reverse: ''Airfields of the Eight', Pg. 123. 'Communications a/c of Hethel station flight include P-47s minus wing guns and a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor.'

Object number: FRE 7945 - P-47 Thunderbolts and C-45 Expeditor of the 389th...

P-47 Thunderbolts and C-45 Expeditor of the 389th Bomb Group, used for communication purposes in front of a T-2 hangar at Hethel. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hethel.'

Object number: FRE 7946 - P-47 Thunderbolts and C-45 Expeditor of the 389th...

A visiting P-51 Mustang with B-24 Liberators of the 389th Bomb Group at Hethel.

Object number: FRE 7947 - A visiting P-51 Mustang with B-24 Liberators of...

A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 389th Bomb Group, used for communication purposes, at Hethel. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'P-47.'

Object number: FRE 7948 - A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 389th Bomb Group, used...

A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 389th Bomb Group, used for communication purposes, in front of a T-2 Hangar at Hethel. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'P-47.'

Object number: FRE 7949 - A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 389th Bomb Group, used...

A P-51 Mustang, used for communcation purposes at Hethel, home of the 389th Bomb Group.

Object number: FRE 7951 - A P-51 Mustang, used for communcation purposes at...

A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-28659) in front of a T-2 Hangar at Hethel, home of the 389th Bomb Group.

Object number: FRE 7953 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-28659) in...

A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-28659) at Hethel, home of the 389th Bomb Group.

Object number: FRE 7954 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-28659) at...