Little Walden
Airfield
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 518 - A P-51 Mustang (E2-D_, serial number 44-14164) nicknamed "Detroit Miss" of the 361st Fighter Group at Little Walden. Handwritten caption on reverse:...
Little Walden was built as a Class A airfield suitable for American heavy bombers. The 409th Bomb Group, as part of the Ninth Air Force, was stationed at the base between March and September 1944, flying A-20 Havocs.
The base was then handed over to the Eighth Air Force's P-51 Mustang-flying 361st Fighter Group, which flew from Little Walden before setting up on the Continent in December 1944 to help counter the German offensive in the Ardennes from closer range. The Group flew from a base in Belgium before returning to Little Walden in April 1945.
In March 1945, the Eighth Air Force's 493rd Bomb Group temporarily based its B-17s here while runways at its base at Debach underwent repairs.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 409th Bomb Group 642nd Bomb Squadron
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron 375th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-065327
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 420th Air Service Group 493rd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-563333
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Flying Control Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 409th Bomb Group 641st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17029435
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 409th Bomb Group 642nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20757119 / O-806071
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 409th Bomb Group 643rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 409th Bomb Group 643rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 409th Bomb Group 641st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron 376th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Tika IV, Sailor Girl Shirl
- Unit: 361st Fighter Group 374th Fighter Squadron