Swanton Morley
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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
- 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