Knettishall

Airfield

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.

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People

Anthony Benedict Massa

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 32163544 / O-801075
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Navigator

Albert Raymond Maxbauer

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 16088844
Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
Role/Job: Radio Operator

Alexander A McDonell

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-818180
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Alvin Alonzo Miller

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 15105231
Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
Role/Job: Radio Operator

Second Lieutenant James E. Zengerle and Second Lieutenant Albert B. Millin of the 388th Bomb Group, talks about their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed "Tom Paine" to Professor Frank Dobie. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943. [stamp] and '289761.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. Associated Press Photo Shows: Left to right: 2nd Lt James E Zengerle, Pilot of the Flying Fortress

Albert Benton Millin

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-745728
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

42-30066

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Nicknames: Mugwump, Rum Boogie II
Unit: 100th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron 418th Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron