Attlebridge
AirfieldIWM, English Heritage Collection
Attlebridge was constructed for RAF use and completed to that standard in 1942. However, with news that it was to be assigned to the American Air Force, the runways were extended and additional hardstandings and outbuildings constructed for the heavy bombers that would shortly be arriving. In actual fact the first American visitors, of the 319th Bomb Group, flew medium B-26 Marauders. They arrived in October 1942 to use the base as a satellite field for Horsham St. Faith but by the next month they were moving on to North Africa with the Twelfth Air Force. After that the base was used to train B-24 Liberator crews for the 2nd Bomb Wing. The first full Group to be stationed at Attlebridge were the 466th Bomb Group, who arrived in February 1944.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-667575 and 20241927
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2015168
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O 751206
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot/Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: The Falcon
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Penthouse for Ten
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Biff Bam
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Glad Ta See Ya
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Black Cat
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Wasson, Earl and Brassfield, Chris, “Attlebridge Arsenal: The Men and Aircraft of the 466th Bomb Group.” Turner Publishing Company, Paducah, Kentucky, 2005. 96th Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, Attlebridge England, Station 120. 466th Bomb Group, 785th Bomb Squadron, Crew #584. Page 247.
Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978)