East Wretham

Airfield
Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3 media-377226.jpg FRE 547 Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394) piloted by Captain René L Burtner Jr. (This was the first of Capt. Burtner's three P-51Ds and is seen here before the application of the "Hubert" noseart) First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group. P-51Ds returning from mission.' Roger Freeman Collection

Added details of third aircraft

Object Number - FRE 547 - Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P,...

East Wretham was not improved to Class A standard. It retained its shorter runways, although eventually pierced-steel planking was laid to make take offs and landings easier for the Thunderbolt, and then Mustang, pilots. Steel matting was also laid to fashion more aircraft parking spaces on a site with only 27 hardstands. The 359th Fighter Group were based here between December 1943 and April 1945.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-062487 / O-2005203
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron 369th Fighter Squadron 370th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-435836
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-822590
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20135414 / O-803926
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15170119 / O-675633
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 551st Fighter Training Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
Captain Frederick W. Glover of the 336th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group  with P-51C Mustang (VF-C, serial no. 42-103602) nicknamed "Connie", Autumn, 1944.
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Connie
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Dotty
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorcpeters58
Changes
Sources

Adding

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

East Wretham: Gallery (201 items)