Horsham St Faith

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Horsham St Faith airfield, 16 April 1946, taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1428. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-139.jpg RAF_106G_UK_1428_RS_4068 Aerial photograph of Horsham St Faith airfield, 16 April 1946, taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1428. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_1428_RS_4068 - Aerial photograph of Horsham St Faith airfield, 16 April 1946, taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1428. English Heritage (RAF...

Horsham St Faith was an RAF Bomber Command Station opened in June 1940. It was home to Bristol Blenheim medium-bombers, and was for a time occupied by fighters, including those of No. 19 Squadron and No. 264 Squadron. From September 1942 the airfield was used by the USAAF. Groups based here included the 319th Bomb Group, the 56th Fighter Group and the Liberator-equipped 458th Bomb Group, which operated from the airfield from early 1944. Horsham St Faith was handed over to RAF Fighter Command in July 1945, and continued to be used by the RAF well into the Cold War, home to Gloster Meteor jet fighters. The RAF left the airfield in 1967, and the site was redeveloped as an airport: Norwich International.

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English Heritage's Record Description

A World War Two military airfeld, now the civil airport for Norwich. The airfield was originally built pre-war but opened as an operational airfield called Horsham St Faith in 1940. It was initially used by Royal Air Force Bomber Command. It was provided with permanent brick buildings and five aircraft hangars (type C), though at this stage the flying field was grass. When the United States Army 8th Air Force took over in 1942 three concrete runways and a perimeter track were added, along with a number of hard standings. The Airfield was designated as Station 123. The American units using the base were 319th and 458th Bomb Groups. The airfield passed to Royal Air Force Control once more in July 1945. The east -west runway was extended in 1956. The Royal Air Force left between 1960-1967. The site then became a civil airport and an industrial estate. Some elements of the wartime defences of the airfield were noted in the 1980s and 1990s.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13125119 / T-62414
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 466th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 466th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747205
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot/Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38367896
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 490th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron 851st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11136205 / O-818106
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Bo
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 755th Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 458th Bomb Group prepare to board their B-24 Liberator, (serial number 41-28733) nicknamed "Rhapsody in Junk", for a mission, whilst ground crew refuel the aircraft. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], ' Passed for publication 28 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '317857.' [Censor no.] Printed caption attached to the reverse: ROUND THE CLOCK BOMBERS. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO SHOWS: As the ground crew refuels, the crew of a Liberator at a U.S. Bomber Base " somewhere in England"
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Rhapsody in Junk
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Meat Around the Corner
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
The shark mouth nose of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Flak Magnet" of the 458th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '458th B.G.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Flak Magnet
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Historic England National Monument Record TG 21 SW 63

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Horsham St Faith: Gallery (165 items)