Alconbury

Airfield
Aerial photograph of Alconbury airfield, looking east. The technical site is at the top, the bomb dump is on the left, 9 May 1944. Photograph taken by 13th Photographic Squadron, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group USAAF, sortie number US/7GR/LOC334. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). eh-2.jpg US_7GR_LOC334_V_5021 Aerial photograph of Alconbury airfield, looking east. The technical site is at the top, the bomb dump is on the left, 9 May 1944. Photograph taken by 13th Photographic Squadron, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group USAAF, sortie number US/7GR/LOC334. English Heritage (USAAF Photography). Historic England

IWM, English Heritage Collection

Object Number - US_7GR_LOC334_V_5021 - Aerial photograph of Alconbury airfield, looking east. The technical site is at the top, the bomb dump is on the left, 9 May 1944. Photograph taken...

Alconbury had been constructed as a satellite airfield for RAF Upwood and Wyton and was used by RAF Squadrons: Nos. 15, 40 and 156. In preparation for the arrival of American heavy bombers, the base was developed in 1942 with the runways extended. When these extensions were finished the total area of land occupied by the base was 500 acres. Alconbury was the first Eighth Air Force base to be visited by King George VI, who visited the 93rd Bomb Group based there on 13 November 1942. In May 1943, while the 95th Bomb Group were stationed there, a fatal accident occurred. A 500lb bomb inexplicably went off whilst a B-17 was being loaded. It set off several others. Eighteen men were killed, twenty-seven injured and four B-17s completely destroyed. In the late summer of 1943 the 92nd Bomb Group left to make way for specialist Pathfinder Groups. It was announced in January 2015 by the US Department of Defense that RAF Alconbury will close as a USAFE base in 2022. The USAF intelligence and support elements currently located at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth will be combined in a new complex at RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire. RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, will also close as a USAFE base after 2020.

Connections

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English Heritage's Record Description

A military airfield built in 1938 as a satellite airfield for Royal Air Force Wyton. The airfield initially had 3 runways. Until 1942, it was the base for 15, 40 and 156 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. In 1942 the airfield was expanded to a 500 acre site, the length of the runways was increased and 26 hardstanding loops were added. In 1943 a Strategic Air Depot was built on the east side of the site in the village of Little Stukely. From 1942 onwards the site was used by the 8th United States Army Air Force. The 93rd bomber group flying Liberators were the first American Unit at the base, from September to December 1942; they were followed by the 92nd Bombardment Group, nicknamed "Fame's Famous Few", operating Flying Fortresses. For a short time between April and June of 1943 they were joined by 95th Bomber Group. On May 27th 1943, as aircraft were being armed there was an accidental detonation of some of the 500 pound bombs, which killed and injured a number of men and destroyed or damaged 15 aircraft. In September 1943 the 92nd moved out to be replaced by 482 Bombardment Group's pathfinders, operating B-17 Flying Fortresses and Liberators. From March 1944 they concentrated on testing and training with radar devices. The depot to the east side of the site was run as a seperate station by 2nd Strategic Air Depot. From November 1945 to 1948 the site was also used by the Royal Air Force 264 Munitions Unit. After World War Two the base continued to be used by the United States Air Force (Europe). The base was upgraded and modernised in 1951. In 1982 until the late 1980s the base was used by the 19th Reconnaissance Squadron. Special extra-wide hardened aircraft shelters were constructed to accommodate their large TR1 aircraft; in the late 1980s a 2-storey bunker was built as a centre for evaluating intelligence. The base closed in 1995. Some buildings survived in 2003, the site is said to be designated as a brown field site for housing or a distribution centre.

People

Amos Behl
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 813th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19058963
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11998665 /O-674111
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 814th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron 812th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 327th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37264777
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner/Waist Gunner

Aircraft

B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (VK-H, serial number 41-24606) nicknamed "Werewolf", of the 303rd Bomb Group. On reverse: US Army Examiner [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Werewolf
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 401st Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-2578) nicknamed "Butcher Shop" of the 92nd Bomb Group at Bovingdon. Written on slide casing: 'B-17 E 12578 Oldest fortress in 8AF Bovingdon, 1943.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Butcher Shop/ Big Tin Bird
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 340th Bomb Squadron 77th Fighter Squadron
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 92nd Bomb Group fly in formation during a training exercise. Aircraft are, from left to right: B-17E (serial number 41-9022) nicknamed "Alabama Exterminator", B-17E (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", B-17E (UX-?, serial number 41-9017) nicknamed "Heidi Ho", B-17E (UX-V, serial number 41-9013), B-17E (UX-S, serial number 41-9154) nicknamed "The Bat out of Hell", B-17E (serial number 41-9132). Printed caption on reverse: 'B-26340 AC - Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortres
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 341st Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 92nd Bomb Group
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].
  • 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 B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9019) nicknamed "Little Skunk Face" of the 92nd Bomb Group prepares for take off. Printed caption on reverse: 'New "Fortress" Makes History In The Air. Oct. 1942. The most striking development of the war in the air is undoubtedly the sensational success of the American "Boeing" Flying Fortresses in the daylight bombing of enemy-occupied territory. In the most recent operation 105 German craft were destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged, for the loss of four bombe
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lil Skunk Face
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 381st Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Historic England National Monument Record: TL 27 NW 25

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have 'Alconbury' in their biography fields.

Date
Contributorrossingtonj
Changes
Sources

Dates of American use added. Source: From Far Afield They Came... by Margaret Winham

Date
ContributorIWMPM
Changes
Sources

USAFE-AFAfrica Press Release, 08 January 2015. See http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123435803.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Alconbury: Gallery (58 items)