![A B-26 Marauder (PN-X, serial number 41-34859) of the 459th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group lands at Andrews Field, October 1943. Passed for publication 17 October 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'PN-X. 134859.' On reverse: Baltimore Sun and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].](https://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/freeman/media-413226.jpg?itok=WsKOx_f5)
42nd Service Group
Group
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Andrews Field
Military site : airfield
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Farmers collect hay in a wagon at Andrews field whilst personnel of the 322nd Bomb Group work on a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31814) nicknamed "Bag Of Bolts". Written on slide casing: '131814, 8/43. Andrews field.' Roger Freeman Collection photo FRE 7089
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A line of 322nd Bomb Group B-26 Marauders taxii for take-off along the perimeter track at Andrews Field airbase. Nearest the camera is a 452nd Bomb Squadron B-26 Marauder ('DR'). Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG, 452BS.'
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B-26 Marauders of the 322nd Bomb Group line up for take off at Andrews Field. Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG. Andrewsfield.'
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An airman of the 322nd Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Li'l Po'kchop". Printed caption on reverse: 'A-60523 A.C. - Martin B-26, nicknamed "Li'l Po'kchop", of the 322nd Bomb Group, Andrews Field, Essex, England, 18 Nov. 1943.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Photo and Rene J. Francillon [Stamps].
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Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Pike's Little Peek". Printed caption on reverse: 'B-60523 A.C. - Martin B-26, nicknamed "Pappy's Pram"[sic], of the 322nd Bomb Group, Andrews Field, Essex, England, 10 Nov. 1943.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Photo and Rene J. Francillon [Stamps].
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Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Murder Inc.". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Mr. Freeman: Could this be the aircraft mentioned on page 101 of your "Mighty Eighth"? Or was there another "Murder Inc.", a B-17?' Printed caption on reverse: 'C-60523 A.C. - Martin B-26, nicknamed "Murder Inc.", of the 322nd Bomb Group, Andrews Field, Essex, England, 15 Oct. 1943.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Photo and Rene J. Francillon [Stamps].
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![A B-26 Marauder (PN-X, serial number 41-34859) of the 459th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group lands at Andrews Field, October 1943. Passed for publication 17 October 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'PN-X. 134859.' On reverse: Baltimore Sun and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].](https://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/freeman/media-413226.jpg?itok=dw8KrWZT)
A B-26 Marauder (PN-X, serial number 41-34859) of the 459th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group lands at Andrews Field, October 1943. Passed for publication 17 October 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'PN-X. 134859.' On reverse: Baltimore Sun and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].
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Engineers construct Andrews Field, home of the 96th Bomb Group and 322nd Bomb Group.
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A B-26 Marauder (ER-T, serial number 41-18072) of the 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group at Andrews Field airbase on the 14 May 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Andrews Field, 322BG, 450BS. Lt. N.L. Haltvey on 14/5/43.'
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The right engine of a 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group ('ER') B-26 Marauder is serviced on a hardstanding at Andrews Field airbase. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'V. Culhane photo. 322BG, 450BS. Oil or Fuel?'
The base was known as Great Saling when construction – by US Army engineers – began in 1942 but was renamed Andrews Field in honour of the memory of Gen. Frank M. Andrews, who was killed when the B-24 he was travelling in crash-landed in Iceland on 3 May 1943.
The 322nd Bomb Group, which arrived in June 1943, flew B-26 Marauders and, as was customary for medium bombers, the unit soon joined the Ninth Air Force but remained at Andrews Field. Once the Group moved to France, the base was returned to the RAF on 1 October 1944.
Detailed history
Not yet known
English Heritage's record description
A military airfield, opened in 1942 and closed in 1945. The airfield was constructed by American army engineers, and had concrete, tarmac and wood chipping landing surfaces with an area of 2100 by 50 yards. There were 50 loop shaped hard standings. Accommodation was temporary (Nissen Huts), and there were two T2 type hangars. Wartime construction methods typically involved the use of "temporary" building materials for many types of airfield buildings. The base was initially called Great Saling by the Air Ministry, but in it was renamed Andrews Field by the Americans in honour of Lieutenant General Frank Andrews, the United States Theatre Commander who had been killed in an aircraft accident over Iceland. In 1943 the airfield was used by the 96th Bomb Group flying B-17 aircraft, they were joined by 322nd Bomb Group fying Marauders. In October 1944, the base was handed over to the Royal Air Force 122 Wing, comprising 13 and 122 Squadron, along with 133 Wing comprising 129 Squadron, 306, 315 and 316 Polish Squadrons equipped with Mustangs. Later in the war the first allied jet unit, 606 Squadron, flying Gloster Meteors was based at Andrews Field. For a short time during 1945 Number 65 Squadron put on victory displays at the airfield. They were replaced by 504 squadron, the second allied jet Squadron, who used the base for training purposes. After the base closed in 1945, the land was divided between 4 farms for agricultural use. However, in 1972 part of the site was reopened as a grass landing strip by aviation enthusiasts. In 1976 this was officially registered for civil aviation use (mainly display aircraft). Although most of the original airfield buildings and structures have been destroyed or removed in 1995 a few of the site's Nissen Huts, firing buts, and the type 2 hangars were said to be still extant; it is not known if this is still the case in 2003.
Service
Units
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322nd Bomb Group
Group
The 322nd Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was activated on 19-Jun-1942 at MacDill Field, Florida with B-26B Marauder aircraft. In late September 1942 the unit moved to Drane Field, Florida. The Ground echelon sailed for the UK aboard the Queen Elizabeth... -
96th Bomb Group
Group
The 96th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses to targets across occupied Europe from May 1943 to April 1945. ... -
18th Station Complement Squadron
Squadron
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21st Weather Squadron
Squadron
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361st Service Squadron
Squadron
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449th Bomb Squadron
Squadron
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450th Bomb Squadron
Squadron
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451st Bomb Squadron
Squadron
People
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Charles Abady
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail gunner | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Nantes in B-26 41-31974. Hit by flak in target area, smoke seen trailing from the starboard engine, control lost, A/C turned on its back, crashed Trois Moulins, 12km South of Nantes... -
Anthony Alaimo
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-pilot | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) repeat raid to power station at Ijmuiden, Holland in B-26 41-18086 'Draggin Lady'. Hit by flak on return ditched in North sea, co-pilot ejected from cockpit and sole survivor. Rescued by a... -
Milfred Allen
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-pilot | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 322BS, 451BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) from night mission as a Pathfinder in B-26 42-107680 'Pickled Dilly' 8-Jul-44. Bombing raid on V bomb storage facility at Chateau de Ribeaucourt, France. Killed in action (KIA) MACR 6623 ... -
Richard Bailey
Military | First Lieutenant | Bomber pilot | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. 65 combat missions including three on D-Day and the 23-Dec-44 relief of the Bulge. When wounded in head and both hands, requested medical officer didn't put him forward for Purple Heart as he considered he didn't... -
Douglas Barker
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 322nd Bomb Group
Born in England during 1921; family emigrated to the United States a few years later, settling in New Jersey. When Britain declared war on German in 1939 he wrote to the Air Ministry / Royal Air Force, seeking to join as a fighter pilot. RAF... -
John Berens
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 391st Bomb Group
Assigned to 391BG, 9AF USAAF. Transferred to 1st PFF Sqn(Prov), 9AF USAAF. Shot down by fighters leading 397BG to Ahrweiler, Germany in B-26 44-67881. Killed in Action (KIA). 23-Dec-44 MACR 15984. Awards: PH. -
William Betz
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator; Bombardier | 322nd Bomb Group
Killed in Action (KIA). May 17, 1943, in B26 41-17982 on mission to a power station in Holland, plane hit by flak and crashed in sand dunes west of Rozenburg, Holland. 3 Killed in Action (KIA) and 3 Prisoner of War (POW). See Pilot Robert Stillman's... -
Charles Bohm
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 391st Bomb Group
Assigned to 574BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. Transferred to 1st Pathfinder Sqn, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Euskirchen railroad bridge in B-26 42-95878 'Weary Lera' shot down by flak while leading 322BG crashed in flames near Bonn,... -
Walter Bond
Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio operator | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 452BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Awards: WWII Victory, EAME. -
Hoy Bonnett
Military | First Lieutenant | Co-pilot | 322nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 451BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. 28 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Ray-Sur-Authie, FR 29-Feb-44; hit by flak stbd engine feathered dropped out of formation salvoed bombs, Crashed Abbeville, FR Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 2455 ...
Aircraft
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41-18075 "Mr Five by Five"
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 451BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Missions flown 24. Failed to Return (FTR) Nimoyceques, FR with Herb Price crew. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 1216 -
41-31741 'Winnie Dee II'
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 322BG, 449BS, 9AF USAAF. Missions flown 96, 17 Jul 43 to 4 Jun 44; recoded PN-N, Missions flown 16; 17 Jun 44 to 12 Aug 44. ... -
41-31765 Fightin' Cock
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. ... -
41-31767 'Ginger'
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 449BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Siracourt,France. Damaged badly enough by AAA [hit in port engine, which was feathered and undercarriage dropped, possibly hydraulic damage] on the 21-Apr-44 mission to cause the crew to bail... -
41-31814 'Bag of Bolts'
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Amiens. Hit by flak, pilot wounded in stomach and unconscious, crew baled out, shortly later A/C exploded on impact, pilot having been ejected, strapped in his armored flight seat. 2 x EVD, 3... -
41-31875 Lady Liberty
B-26 Marauder
The B-26B Martin Marauder bomber, 41-31875, named, Lady Liberty, was assigned to the 450th BS, the 322ndBG, and the 9th AF. It flew on 25 combat missions. Pilot 1st Lt. Rowland G. Thornton. It was battle damaged on a ramrod to Abbeville. It crash... -
41-31888 'War Eagle'
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Cologne mission. Hit by flak below cockpit, fell out of formation into unrecoverable spin and exploded on impact with ground on highway adjacent to target at Zülpich, Germany. No chutes... -
41-31954
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Isigny, France hit by flak engine ablaze, salvoed bombs and bale out ordered, pilot did not escape 5 x POW, 1 x KIA. 9-May-44. MACR 4478. -
41-31974 "We Can't Miss Victory"
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Nantes. Hit by flak in target area, smoke seen trailing from starboard engine, control lost, A/C turned on its back, 2 chutes observed before lost below overcast, crashed Trois... -
41-34763 'Duchess of Barksdale'
B-26 Marauder
Assigned to 449BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Ste Andre de L'Eure fell behind formation and set upon by two Fw190's, after two coordinated attacks by both 190's crashed Quittebeuf. 6 x POW's. MACR 1046/1499. ...
Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 03 September 2019 12:33:52 | Emily | Changes to english heritage description |
| Sources | ||
Historic England National Monument Record TL 62 NE 30 |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 10 March 2017 09:18:26 | SavvyGA | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
Added US Army engineers |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 10 March 2017 09:15:49 | SavvyGA | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
Grammar changed |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:02:16 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978) |
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