Knettishall

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Knettishall airfield looking south, the bomb dump is bottom left, 13 March 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC226. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). eh-341.jpg US_7PH_GP_LOC226_RS_4014 Aerial photograph of Knettishall airfield looking south, the bomb dump is bottom left, 13 March 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC226. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - US_7PH_GP_LOC226_RS_4014 - Aerial photograph of Knettishall airfield looking south, the bomb dump is bottom left, 13 March 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic...

Knettishall was built to Class A standard for an American Bomb Group that would be bringing up to forty heavy bombers with them in three or four Squadrons. The 388th Bomb Group, which stayed at Knettishall for their entire service in the ETO, flew B-17 Flying Fortresses on missions over occupied Europe. The Group also sent the 560th Bomb Squadron to Fersfield to fly Aphrodite missions. This involved crews flying full-loaded but worn-out B-17s to the edge of the British mainland before baling out and allowing a crew in another aircraft to radio-control the B-17 into the intended target. On one occasion the crew were unable to control the B-17 and it crashed at Sudbourne Park, Suffolk, leaving a crater 100 feet across.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33426113
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5898) nicknamed "Little Lass". The airmen (left to right) are: Standing- Paul Williams (Pilot), Israel Rogg (Co-Pilot) and Edwin Garver (Navigator). Kneeling- Ralph Cornwall (Waist Gunner), Alfred Gardin (Radio Operator), Ray Harwood (Top Turret Gunner), Roland Conners (Tail Gunner), Maynard Rollins (Waist Gunner) and Harold Moore (Ball Turret Gunner).
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35323924
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37428551
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-325
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: - Grope & Hope
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Miss Adventure
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Peg O My Heart
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-10706) nicknamed "Miss Bea Havin'" of the 388th Bomb Group flies over countryside. Image via Mark Brown, AFA. Written on slide casing: 'Miss Bea Havin 2107062 M, 562 BS.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Worry Bird/Miss Bea Haven
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have Knettishall 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)

Knettishall: Gallery (166 items)