Leiston

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Leiston airfield looking south, the control tower and technical site are to the right, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/929. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Object Number - RAF_106G_UK_929_RP_3212 - Aerial photograph of Leiston airfield looking south, the control tower and technical site are to the right, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No....

Leiston's location only three miles from the North Sea Coast made it ideal as a Fighter Group air base whose job would be to escort bombers across the sea and over occupied Europe. The air base also witnessed the arrival of many very damaged Allied aircraft who were just grateful to make landfall in Britain. The 358th Fighter Group were replaced by the 357th Fighter Group early in 1944, flying P-51 Mustangs rather than P-47 Thunderbolts. These Mustangs were able to fly greater distances in escorting bombers to eastern German targets like sites in Berlin and Leipzig.

Connections

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

People

Alan Kent Abner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2059705
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Bryant Yeck Anderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 66th Fighter Wing 357th Fighter Group 364th Fighter Squadron 82nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13044062 / O-792943
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Captain Clarence E. Jr. "Bud" Anderson, ace of the 357th Fighter Group, sits on the wing of his P-51 Mustang (B6-S, serial number 43-12315) nicknamed "Old Crow". Image signed on reverse by Anderson. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Major C E Anderson ace 357 FG. A/c name 'Old Crow'.

Clarence Emil Anderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (357th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-730324
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Clifford Anderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 362nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-667767
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Corlys Albert Bedford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 358th Fighter Group 367th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15096685 at enlistment, then O-671488
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-103007

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Joan Swoose
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 496th Fighter Training Group Base Air Depot 1 362nd Fighter Squadron 555th Fighter Training Squadron

42-8416

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron

42-97381

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group
Ground crew of the 357th Fighter Group winch a P-51 Mustang (G4-H, serial number 43-12474) following a landing accident at Raydon 21 January 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Olmsted, Raydon.'

43-12474

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group 109th Reconnaissance Squadron 362nd Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date12 Oct 2016 12:41:25
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

AAM Db Correction.

Date12 Oct 2016 11:54:06
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

AAM Db Correction.

Date12 Oct 2016 10:33:49
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

AAM Db correction.

Date6 Oct 2016 22:13:49
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

Correction to AAM Db.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:02:17
ContributorAAM
Sources

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

Leiston: Gallery (58 items)

A memorial service is held for the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt at Leiston air base where the 357th Fighter Group were stationed, 15 April 1945.

Object number: FRE 142 - A memorial service is held for the late President...

Lieutenant Warren Corwin, of the 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang at Leiston. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lieutenant Warren Corwin of the 362nd Sqdn at Leiston. Note the cloth flying helmet, goggles and oxygen breathing equipment. P. Barber.'

Object number: FRE 3103 - Lieutenant Warren Corwin, of the 362nd Fighter...

P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group line up for take off at Leiston.

Object number: FRE 3107 - P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group line up...

A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group prepares for take off at Leiston. On reverse: Merle Olmsted Collection [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 3123 - A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group prepares...

Personnel with a P-51D Mustang nicknamed "The Tender Terror" of the 364th Fighter Group, 357th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'P-51D "Mustang", 364th Fgt. Sqd.'

Object number: FRE 3124 - Personnel with a P-51D Mustang nicknamed "The...

A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group inside a hangar at Leiston.

Object number: FRE 3129 - A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group inside a...

A P-51 Mustang (G4-S_, serial number 44-63221) nicknamed "Moose" of the 357th Fighter Group prepares to land at Leiston. Handwritten caption on reverse: '"Moose" on final, Leiston. Becvolt.'

Object number: FRE 3137 - A P-51 Mustang (G4-S_, serial number 44-63221)...

P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group break formation as they fly low over blister hangars at Leiston. On reverse: Merle Olmsted Collection [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 3139 - P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group break...

A P-51 Mustang (B6-H, serial number 44-14356) nicknamed "Lonesome Polecat" of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B6-H, 44-14356. 3 Feb '45. Photo by (credit) Wm Weith, via Jim Crow.' On reverse: Merle Olmsted Collection [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 3142 - A P-51 Mustang (B6-H, serial number 44-14356)...

A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group lands at Leiston.

Object number: FRE 3144 - A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group lands at...

P-51 Mustangs (B6-H, serial number 44-14356) nicknamed "Lonesome Polecat" and (serial number 44-15504) of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group after a ground collision. 3 February 1945. Handwritten caption on reverse: '3 Feb '45. B6-H, Lonesome Polecat, 44-14356. Collision with 44-15504.' On reverse: Merle Olmsted Collection [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 3151 - P-51 Mustangs (B6-H, serial number 44-14356)...

A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group takes off at Leiston. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Photo by Ant Swanson.' On reverse: Merle Olmsted Collection [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 3156 - A P-51 Mustang of the 357th Fighter Group takes...