Little Walden

Airfield
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, Detroit Miss, E2.' media-377236.jpg 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, Detroit Miss, E2.' Roger Freeman Collection

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
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 409th Bomb Group 642nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39002286
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: bomber
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 409th Bomb Group 641st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752378
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 354th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14134344 / O-816968
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 361st Fighter Group
  • Service Numbers: 18035823, 2044539
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Flight Control Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 361st Fighter Group 376th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-812374
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

 P-51 Mustangs including (serial number 42-106434) of the 354th Fighter Group line up for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '59175 A.C.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Atlanta Peach
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron 374th Fighter Squadron
A P-51 Mustang (E2-D, serial number 42-106875) nicknamed "Queen Jean" of the 361st Fighter Group prepares for take off at Bottisham. Image via James D Smith. Written on slide casing: 'Queen Jean, -D, ready for T/O Bottisham.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Queen Jean
  • Unit: 361st Fighter Group 374th Fighter Squadron 375th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 409th Bomb Group 642nd Bomb Squadron
Two P-51 Mustangs, (E9-V, serial number 44-14600) and (E9-B, serial number 43-25044, "War Weary") of the 361st Fighter Group, fly together.
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 361st Fighter Group 376th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 493rd Bomb Group 863rd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorSavvyGA
Changes
Sources

493BG presence added

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Little Walden: Gallery (38 items)