Shepherd's Grove

Airfield

Hepworth was satellite station of Advanced Air Depot Honington. Work to complete this proposed bomber base was slow and still incomplete in April 1944 when it was renamed Shepherd's Grove, remaining unoccupied by 8th Air Force for the duration.

Opened for use by RAF in 1944; occupied after 1951 by US Air Force fighter units and, later, an RAF Thor missile base until 1963; some remaining buildings but mainly returned to agricultural use.

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 653rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1997774
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
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.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron 653rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-812999
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

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.'
  • Aircraft Type: Mosquito
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 653rd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorSavvyGA
Changes
Sources

Dates added

Date
ContributorSavvyGA
Changes
Sources

Clarified station numbering

Date
ContributorSavvyGA
Changes
Sources

Added USAF post-war use.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, The Mighty Eighth War Manual (London, 1991).
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