Kimbolton

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Kimbolton airfield looking west, the bomb dump and technical site with a T2 hangar is on the left, 10 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/635. English Heritage (RAF Photography). eh-81.jpg RAF_106G_UK_635_RP_3217 Aerial photograph of Kimbolton airfield looking west, the bomb dump and technical site with a T2 hangar is on the left, 10 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/635. English Heritage (RAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_635_RP_3217 - Aerial photograph of Kimbolton airfield looking west, the bomb dump and technical site with a T2 hangar is on the left, 10 August 1945. Photograph...

Planned for RAF use, Kimbolton airfield was built by W and C French Ltd. in 1941. The airfield was increased in size to accommodate a full US heavy Bomb Group, and the first such unit to us it was the 91st Bomb Group, who arrived in September 1942. They quickly switched to Bassingbourn, and for a time the B-26s of the 17th Bomb Group occupied the base. Kimbolton is most associated with the 379th Bomb Group, who were resident at the airfield from late 1942. The 379th was one of the most successful of all of the Eighth's Bomb Groups. The airfield was handed back to the RAF at the end of the war, and was eventually sold off in the early 1960s.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot "Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Image via Byron Clark. A printed caption has been attached to the reverse: 'Swamp Fire First Crew. Kimbolton, May 1 1944 [handwritten annotation to this says: 'Photo Taken.']. Rear Row, L to R. Berj Bejian- Engineer & Top Turret, Roy Avery- Waist Gunner, Andrew Stroman- Ball Turret, John Rose- Waist Gunner, Elijah Lewis- Tail Gunner, Edward Pryzybyla- Radio Gun
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34385123
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Airplane Mechanic / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32399904 on enlisting, later T-137474
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36830746
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Anthony Tomaselli
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32749155
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19080965
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ruthie ii
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sons of Satan
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Peter Wabbit
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have 'Kimbolton' in their biography fields.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Kimbolton: Gallery (112 items)