Great Ashfield

Airfield
Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.' media-413589.jpg FRE 4905 Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4905 - Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.'

The airfield was built in 1942 by John Laing & Son Ltd. 108,000 tons of concrete was used in its construction, creating a Class 'A' airfield suitable for heavy bombers. The 385th Bomb Group took up residence in the summer of 1943, and remained at the airfield until 1945. In total the 385th flew 296 missions from Great Ashfield, losing 129 B-17s. From October 1945 Maintenance Command took control of the airfield, before the site was abandoned in 1959-1960.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Arthur E Alexander

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Arlis Anderson

Arlis King Anderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18038978 / O-664864
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. A

Anthony J Ardzinski

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12150071
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Charles Joseph Armbruster

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-827757
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Albert E Audette

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9017) of the 92nd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 5 Sep 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Q.13312: A Flying Fortress photographed in flight at a U.S. Training Centre.' On reverse: Westminster Press Provincial Newspapers Ltd and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

41-9017

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Heidi Ho
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 342nd Bomb Squadron
A formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group fly B-17 (serial number 41-9103) nicknamed "Dixie Demo", at Bassingbourn following a raid on Antwerp, 6 April 1943. A censor has obscured a hanger in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 6 APR 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 6 APR 1943 INTLD 29 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp]. 'Copyright Planet News ?, Johnson's Court, London E.C.4' [stamp].'256834'[Censor

41-9103

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Dixie Demo
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron

42-102431

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Slick Chick
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group

42-102465

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wee Willie Wilber
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron

42-102481

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kentucky Winner
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association.  https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Great-Ashfield-Winter-1943-…

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association

https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Fire.pdf

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have 'Gt Ashfield' in their biography fields.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Great Ashfield: Gallery (132 items)

Object number: UPL 31195 - Time Team S06, E08 Reedham Marshes, Norfolk which...

Bob James- co-pilot, Fred Heiser- pilot and John Hill- navigator, all of the 385th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via Tim Bivens. Biven's has handwritten on reverse: 'L to R: Bob James- Copilot (later KIA in USAAF Mosquito), Fred Heiser- Pilot, John Hill- Navigator, 550th BS, 385th BG, 1944. Note 550th BS patch on A-2's.'

Object number: FRE 1339 - Bob James- co-pilot, Fred Heiser- pilot and John...

An airman of the 385th Bomb Group sits beneath the European Theatre of Operation's "Biggest Pin-up" painted on the wall of the barracks. Official caption printed on image: 'GPR 314-11-385)(1-12-44)(ETO's Biggest Pin-up).'

Object number: FRE 1346 - An airman of the 385th Bomb Group sits beneath the...

Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group plan the route of their next raid. A censor has obscured the maps they are viewing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed as censored 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291704.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIR FORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive against Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Forces and the RAF.

Object number: FRE 1375 - Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group plan the route...

Sergeant Gerald Farley Syracuse, chief clark of the 385th Bomb Group passes a message to Major James H. Lewis. A censor has obscured some of the documents pinned to the board in the background. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287573.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Master Sgt. Gerald Farley Syracuse, New York, chief

Object number: FRE 1384 - Sergeant Gerald Farley, of Syracuse, New York...

A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t

Object number: FRE 1386 - A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B...

Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group with a captured flag bearing the Nazi swastika. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sept 1943.' [stamp], '282478.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#77 Airmen with insignia off Nazi flag.'

Object number: FRE 1402 - Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group with the tail fin...

Lieutenant-Colonel Preston Piper of the 385th Bomb Group reports to intelligence officer First Lieutenant John Murray after a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication [illegible] Nov 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘292906.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO THE HEROIC FLYERS OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE. So many American flyers of the Eighth Air Force here achieved many high distinctions that the presentation of medals and awards ha

Object number: FRE 1415 - Lieutenant-Colonel Preston Piper of the 385th Bomb...

Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Replica of entrance to Station 155.'

Object number: FRE 4905 - Replica entrance sign at Great Ashfield, home of...

Major James G. McDonald, Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott Vandevanter Jr and Major Preston Piper of the 395th Bomb Group examine maps. Passed for publication 26 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-42a-62a. Principal Flying Officers at this youthful Flying Fortress station - (left to right) Major James G. McDonald of Boston, Group Operations Officer who, at 29, is the "old man" of the outfit; Lt. Col. Elliott Vandevanter Jr. of Washington D.C., Group Commander, aged 26

Object number: FRE 4919 - Major James G. McDonald, Lieutenant-Colonel...

Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group inspect the bomb dump at Great Ashfield. Passed for publication 5 Nov 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '385. Great Ashfield.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Americans Keep Up Daylight Attacks On Germany ... Today They Visited The Ruhr In Great Strength ... 5/11/43. O.P.S. A consignment of 2,000 and 1,000 lb bombs stacked up ready to deliver on the Ruhr today.' Censor no: 291650. On reverse: Daily Sketch, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Cens

Object number: FRE 4921 - Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group inspect the bomb...

Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott Vandevanter Jr. commanding officer of the 385th Bomb Group, talks to First Lieutenant Sam Dixon, Second Lieutenant Warren Bock and Technical Sergeant Alford Peterson after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress "Lady Susie II". Passed for publication 28 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-35. The young Commander of this youthful Fortress unit returns from a mission which he led. (Left to right) Lt. Col. Elliott Vandevanter Jr., of Was

Object number: FRE 4940 - Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott Vandevanter Jr...