Earls Colne
AirfieldIWM, English Heritage Collection
Earls Colne was built in 1941 as an airfield for No.3 Group, RAF Bomber Command, although never used as such. Assigned to the US Eighth Air Force (as Station 358) in 1942, its 36 hardstands were increased to 50, bringing the airfield up to Air Ministry 'Class A’ standard.
Part of the site occupied land requisitioned from the Marks Hall estate, whose Jacobean mansion was taken over by various USAAF HQ units in December 1942.
Earls Colne’s first operational tenants were B-17Fs of the Eighth Air Force's 94th Bomb Group in May 1943. Its four squadrons moved to Rougham, Suffolk, on 13 June, having lost nine bombers that day during a mission to Kiel.
The following month, B-26 Marauder ‘medium’ bombers of the 323rd Bomb Group moved in, staying at Earls Colne until July 1944 – having transferred to the US Ninth Air Force on October 16, 1943.
Meanwhile, Marks Hall had operated independently, first as headquarters for the Eighth AF’s 4th Bomb Wing. In October 1943 it became the command and control centre of the Ninth AF’s IX Bomber Command, at which point Earls Colne airfield became the headquarters of the 98th Combat Bomb Wing while continuing to host the 323rd Bomb Group.
After the Americans left for France in the summer of 1944, the RAF’s 296 and 297 Squadrons, flying Halifax aircraft in army co-operation roles, occupied Earls Colne until May 1946.
Today the site includes an industrial park, golf course, leisure centre and an airstrip used by a flying school. It is also home to the Essex Air Ambulance.
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English Heritage's Record Description
A former World War Two military airfield, now used for civil light aircraft. The military airfield was established in 1942 but did not become active until 1943. It was provided with three concrete and tarmac runways and two type T2 aircraft hangars. During World War Two, it was used both by the Royal Air Force and by the 9th United States Army Air Force. The airfield was designated by the Americans as station 358. Earls Colne was home to both Bomber and fighter units, later also transport aircraft. In 2000-2001 the former military airfield area was reported as being partly in use for light aircraft, partly used as Earls Colne Business Park, also a golf course, sports centre and for agriculture. Part of the perimeter track, hangars are said to have survived to 2001. The control tower was demolished in 2003.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-678576
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-736382
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot; Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35662878
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron 456th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-791865
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: "Gee" Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Longhorn
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Sugar Puss
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Snafu : Alabama Whirlwind
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 802nd Reconnaissance Group (SP) 94th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Flak Happy
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 333rd Bomb Squadron 410th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
Related media
- Media Type: Video
- Object Number: UPL 57403
- Description: Pathé News footage of Earls Colne airfield during its tenure by the 323rd Bomb Group.
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 17565
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 17566
- Media Type: Document
- Collection Name: Leo Dale Rush collection
- Object Number: Document 29983
- Description: Lt. Leo Dale Rush, Jr.
- Media Type: Document
- Collection Name: Leo Dale Rush collection
- Object Number: Document 29985
- Description: Lt. Charles H. Stirneman of San Bernardino, California reading in the Nissen hut he shared with Lt. Leo Dale Rush, Jr. of New Mexico, Lt. John...
- Media Type: Document
- Collection Name: Leo Dale Rush collection
- Object Number: Document 29987
- Description: Short Snorter The signatures are from top to bottom - Lt. Col. Robert O. “Bob” Barker Commanding Officer, 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group...