Swanton Morley

Airfield
A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. Image stamped on reverse: 'Supplied by Photographic News Agency.' [stamp], 'Not to be published until 12 July 1942.' [stamp], 'USA(NIB) CCC.' [written annotation] and '209820.' [Censor No.] A printed caption from the Photographic news agency was previously attached the the reverse, however this has been lost. It is likely, based on images from other press agencies of this event, that it explains that the airmen have re media-378785.jpg FRE 916 A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. Image stamped on reverse: 'Supplied by Photographic News Agency.' [stamp], 'Not to be published until 12 July 1942.' [stamp], 'USA(NIB) CCC.' [written annotation] and '209820.' [Censor No.] A.19793 Printed caption on reverse: "USA Airmen heroes decorated. The awards to the American airmen, who took part in the big raid on Germany and occupied Countries recently, were presented today. O.P.S Maj. C. Kegelman and his crew in front of a Boston bomber. He received the DSC and his crew the DFC." Stamp : (Reviewed & passed as censored - US Army Press Censor, 11July 1942) Handwritten caption on reverse: '11/7/43.' Roger Freeman Collection

Caption update

Object Number - FRE 916 - A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. Image stamped on reverse: 'Supplied by Photographic News...

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Detailed History

For much of WW2, Swanton Morley was associated with light bomber squadrons of the RAF. However, the very first USAAF crews to fly combat operations from the UK were from the 15th Bomb Squadron (Light). They had been placed under the guidance of No 226 Squadron RAF, at Swanton Morley, to familiarise themselves with UK flight procedures and methods of light bomber attacks on enemy targets. Since the 15th had yet to receive aircraft of their own, they used Douglas Bostons belonging to their hosts which retained RAF markings. The Douglas Boston was the name given by the British to the A-20 Havoc.

The first combat sortie by a USAAF crew took place on June 29 1942 when one of twelve 226 Squadron Bostons attacking marshalling yards at Hazebrouck, was flown by Capt Kegelman and his crew.

On July 4th 1942, the 15th BS sent 6 of their crews with an equal number from 226 Squadron for a low level attack, in flights of three, on four enemy airfields in Holland. At De Kooy airfield, the aircraft piloted by 2nd Lieut Loehrl was hit by flak and crashed in flames. Capt Kegelman and his crew attacked the same airfield and had a very lucky escape when one engine was hit, causing the propeller to fly off and flames to appear from under the cowling. One wingtip touched the ground and the rear of the fuselage scraped the surface of the airfield. Fortunately, the flames in the damaged engine went out and Capt Kegelman managed to bring the aircraft home on the remaining engine - a feat that saw him awarded the American DSC. Three other men received well-earned American DFCs for their part in this raid.

In an attack on another airfield, Lieut Lynn and his crew were lost to anti-aircraft fire. One RAF aircraft also failed to return.

The general view of experienced RAF men was that this raid was one of the most strongly contested they had ever experienced.

The final American operation took place on July 12th when six of their crews were part of a medium-level attack on the airfield at Abbeville. All returned safely.

In August, the 15th BS received their own Bostons and commenced operations with the 8th AF but the following month they were assigned to the 12th Air Force and later moved to join the North African Campaign

People

A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. 

Image stamped on reverse: 'New York Times Photograph.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 12 July 1942.', 'USA(NIR)CCC.'[written annotation] and '209852.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'After receiving awards for U.S. Independence Day raid on Holland New York Times Photo shows: Major Charles C Kegelman (second from right) with his bomber crew after he had received the American D.S.C. for part he took in th
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 15th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-22412
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 15th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commander

Revisions

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Changes
Sources

The Mighty Eighth, Roger A Freeman, Macdonald

Swanton Morley: Gallery (3 items)