RAF Andrews Field: Difference between revisions
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== USAAF Use == |
== USAAF Use == |
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The airfield was opened in [[1943]] and was used by the [[United States Army Air Force]] [[Eighth Air Force]] |
The airfield was opened in [[1943]] and was used by the [[United States Army Air Force]] [[Eighth Air Force]] |
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Andrews Field was the only named US airfield in the United Kingdom. Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews was a pioneer exponent of air power and was destined to become a very high ranking figure in the history of the Second World War. He had already been chosen to succeed General Eisenhower when Fate decided otherwise. |
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On[[3 May]] 1943 General Andrews took off in a [[B-24 Liberator]] from [[RAF Bovingdon]] on a trip back to the United States. A weather check would have meant a landing at [[Prestwick]], but it seems the crew were confident that this was unnecessary. By the time the aircraft reached [[Iceland]] the weather had socked in and while searching for Meeks Field, the aircraft crashed into a hillside. Only the rear gunner survived from the 15 on board. And so it was that Frank Andrews was honored in a little corner of England |
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=== 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy)=== |
=== 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy)=== |
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On [[27 May]] 1943, the '''96th Bombardment Group (Heavy))''' flying [[B-17|B-17 Flying Fortresses]] arrived from [[RAF Grafton Underwood ]]. It's tail code was '''Square-C'''. The group consisted of the following squadrons: |
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96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) May-June 1943 B-17 |
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* 337th Bombardment (AX) |
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Arr from Grafton Underwood Airfield |
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* 338th Bombardment (BX) |
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Dep to Snetterton Heath Airfield |
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* 339th Bombardment (QJ) |
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* 413th Bombardment (MJ) |
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The 96th appears to have only carried out one mission while based at Andrews Field. On [[29 May]] 1943 they took part in a raid on Rennes naval storage depot from which one B-17 failed to return. The group was moved to [[RAF Snetterton Heath]] on [[12 June]] 1943 in a general exchange of bases with B-26 Marauder groups. |
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=== 322nd Bombardment Group (Medium) === |
=== 322nd Bombardment Group (Medium) === |
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Replacing the 96th was the '''322nd Bombardment Group (Medium)''' which arrived from [[RAF Bury St. Edmunds]] on [[14 June]] flying Douglas [[B-26 Marauder]]s. The group consisted of the following squadrons: |
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322nd Bombardment Group (Medium) June 1943-September 1944 B-26 |
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* 449th Bombardment (PN) |
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10/43, 322nd BG (M) transferred from VIIIth to IXth USAAF, 9/44 moved to France. Flew 34 missions losing 12 aircraft in action. |
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* 450th Bombardment (ER) |
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* 451st Bombardment (SS) |
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* 452d Bombardment (DR) |
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From Andrews Field the 322d received a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]]for the period 14 May 1943-24 Jul 1944, during which its combat performance helped to prove the effectiveness of the medium bombers. |
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Transferring to [[Ninth Air Force]] in [[October]] [[1943]], the group attacked enemy airfields in [[France]], [[Belgium]], and [[Holland]] attacking the principal targets but the group also attacked secondary targets such as power stations, shipyards, construction works, and marshalling yards. |
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Beginning in [[March]] 1944 the 322d bombed railroad and highway bridges, oil tanks, and missile sites in preparation for the [[Operation Overlord|invasion of Normandy]] and on [[D-Day]], [[6 June]] 1944 it hit coastal defenses and gun batteries. |
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Afterwards, during the Normandy campaign, the 322d pounded fuel and ammunition dumps, bridges, and road junctions, supporting the Allied offensive at [[Caen]] and the breakthrough at [[St Lo]] in [[July]]. |
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The 322d moved into [[France]] during [[September]] 1944, tranferring to Beauvais/Tille airfield, and aiding the drive of Third Army across France. |
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== RAF Use == |
== RAF Use == |
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With the departure of the Americans, Andrews Field was transferred to RAF control in [[October]] 1944, being used by 11 Group, ADGB. |
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10/44 to /45, Transferred to RAF and used by No. 19, 65, 122, 129, 306, 315, 316 and 504 Squadrons. Also 616 Sqn, the first Gloster Meteor jet equipped Sqn. |
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Within a week the HQ of No. I50 (Polish) Wing and an advanced party of No. 19 Squadron moved in. By the middle of October, Nos. 19, 65 and 122 Squadrons (No. 122 Wing) had joined the Polish Wing consisting of Nos. 129, 306 and 315 Squadrons. This joining of two wings probably constituted the largest Mustang gathering on any non-American airfield in the UK. |
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The main task of the Andrews Field Mustangs was as escort to the increasing daylight bombing raids by the RAF's Bomber Command Lancasters and Halifaxes. However, their home defense role continued in the role of intercepting V-1 flying bombs. |
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At the end of [[February]] [[1945]] the Meteor III jet fighters of 616 Squadron arrived They stayed for a month before being replaced by a detachment of Meteor IIIs from 504 Squadron. |
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In addition to the combat squadrons, the Air Sea Rescue Walruses of 276 Squadron who were resident from early June 1945. They left for foreign parts (to Kjevic, Norway) on the 23rd August. |
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== Postwar Use == |
== Postwar Use == |
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With the end of the war, 303 Squadron departed in [[December]] 1945 and the airfield was placed under care and maintenance and became a satellite of Great Sampford in [[1946]]. |
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After the war, the field was closed in [[1945]]. |
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The site was virtually abandoned by [[1948]] and soon took on an air of neglect. In common with other disused airfields, some of the buildings were taken over as temporary housing, even as late as [[1953]]. From there on, virtually all the buildings with the exception of the two T-2 hangars and most of the groundworks (runways, etc.) were removed and the land reverted to agriculture. |
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In 1972, aircraft again returned to Andrews Field (renamed Andrewsfield) when a 3,000 foot grass strip along part of the line of the original main runway was constructed. As flying increased, a clubhouse and flying control were erectred in [[1975]] for the Andrewsfield Flying Club. The popular airfield placed centrally in Essex was licensed by the CAA in [[1976]]. |
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The Rebel Air Museum was housed in a blister hangar near the clubhouse for some time, until it moved to new premises on Earls Colne airfield several years ago. |
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Other than the two T2 hangars, the firing-in butts and a few Nissen huts in the dispersed sites, little remains of this once busy airfield. There are two memorials. One in the village is positioned in front of the former Sick Quarters Site and commemorates the 819th Aviation Engineer Battalion who built the airfield. The other memorial is along the lane from the A120 to Great Saling and is to the memory of the 322nd Bomb Group (M). A mural depicting a B-26 adorns an interior wall of the Andrewsfield Flying Club clubhouse. Also on display are a number of photographs showing the airfield under construction. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://b26marauder.com/322nd/b26.html 322d Bomb Group Website] |
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* [http://www.andrewsfield.com Andrewsfield Aviation] |
* [http://www.andrewsfield.com Andrewsfield Aviation] |
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Revision as of 15:22, 14 October 2006
RAF Andrews Field (Also Known as Andrewsfield or Great Saling) is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located 5 miles W of Braintree in Essex.
USAAF Use
The airfield was opened in 1943 and was used by the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force. It was designated as Station 485 (GZ).
Andrews Field was the only named US airfield in the United Kingdom. Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews was a pioneer exponent of air power and was destined to become a very high ranking figure in the history of the Second World War. He had already been chosen to succeed General Eisenhower when Fate decided otherwise.
On3 May 1943 General Andrews took off in a B-24 Liberator from RAF Bovingdon on a trip back to the United States. A weather check would have meant a landing at Prestwick, but it seems the crew were confident that this was unnecessary. By the time the aircraft reached Iceland the weather had socked in and while searching for Meeks Field, the aircraft crashed into a hillside. Only the rear gunner survived from the 15 on board. And so it was that Frank Andrews was honored in a little corner of England
96th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
On 27 May 1943, the 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy)) flying B-17 Flying Fortresses arrived from RAF Grafton Underwood . It's tail code was Square-C. The group consisted of the following squadrons:
- 337th Bombardment (AX)
- 338th Bombardment (BX)
- 339th Bombardment (QJ)
- 413th Bombardment (MJ)
The 96th appears to have only carried out one mission while based at Andrews Field. On 29 May 1943 they took part in a raid on Rennes naval storage depot from which one B-17 failed to return. The group was moved to RAF Snetterton Heath on 12 June 1943 in a general exchange of bases with B-26 Marauder groups.
322nd Bombardment Group (Medium)
Replacing the 96th was the 322nd Bombardment Group (Medium) which arrived from RAF Bury St. Edmunds on 14 June flying Douglas B-26 Marauders. The group consisted of the following squadrons:
- 449th Bombardment (PN)
- 450th Bombardment (ER)
- 451st Bombardment (SS)
- 452d Bombardment (DR)
From Andrews Field the 322d received a Distinguished Unit Citationfor the period 14 May 1943-24 Jul 1944, during which its combat performance helped to prove the effectiveness of the medium bombers.
Transferring to Ninth Air Force in October 1943, the group attacked enemy airfields in France, Belgium, and Holland attacking the principal targets but the group also attacked secondary targets such as power stations, shipyards, construction works, and marshalling yards.
Beginning in March 1944 the 322d bombed railroad and highway bridges, oil tanks, and missile sites in preparation for the invasion of Normandy and on D-Day, 6 June 1944 it hit coastal defenses and gun batteries.
Afterwards, during the Normandy campaign, the 322d pounded fuel and ammunition dumps, bridges, and road junctions, supporting the Allied offensive at Caen and the breakthrough at St Lo in July.
The 322d moved into France during September 1944, tranferring to Beauvais/Tille airfield, and aiding the drive of Third Army across France.
RAF Use
With the departure of the Americans, Andrews Field was transferred to RAF control in October 1944, being used by 11 Group, ADGB.
Within a week the HQ of No. I50 (Polish) Wing and an advanced party of No. 19 Squadron moved in. By the middle of October, Nos. 19, 65 and 122 Squadrons (No. 122 Wing) had joined the Polish Wing consisting of Nos. 129, 306 and 315 Squadrons. This joining of two wings probably constituted the largest Mustang gathering on any non-American airfield in the UK.
The main task of the Andrews Field Mustangs was as escort to the increasing daylight bombing raids by the RAF's Bomber Command Lancasters and Halifaxes. However, their home defense role continued in the role of intercepting V-1 flying bombs.
At the end of February 1945 the Meteor III jet fighters of 616 Squadron arrived They stayed for a month before being replaced by a detachment of Meteor IIIs from 504 Squadron.
In addition to the combat squadrons, the Air Sea Rescue Walruses of 276 Squadron who were resident from early June 1945. They left for foreign parts (to Kjevic, Norway) on the 23rd August.
Postwar Use
With the end of the war, 303 Squadron departed in December 1945 and the airfield was placed under care and maintenance and became a satellite of Great Sampford in 1946.
The site was virtually abandoned by 1948 and soon took on an air of neglect. In common with other disused airfields, some of the buildings were taken over as temporary housing, even as late as 1953. From there on, virtually all the buildings with the exception of the two T-2 hangars and most of the groundworks (runways, etc.) were removed and the land reverted to agriculture.
In 1972, aircraft again returned to Andrews Field (renamed Andrewsfield) when a 3,000 foot grass strip along part of the line of the original main runway was constructed. As flying increased, a clubhouse and flying control were erectred in 1975 for the Andrewsfield Flying Club. The popular airfield placed centrally in Essex was licensed by the CAA in 1976.
The Rebel Air Museum was housed in a blister hangar near the clubhouse for some time, until it moved to new premises on Earls Colne airfield several years ago.
Other than the two T2 hangars, the firing-in butts and a few Nissen huts in the dispersed sites, little remains of this once busy airfield. There are two memorials. One in the village is positioned in front of the former Sick Quarters Site and commemorates the 819th Aviation Engineer Battalion who built the airfield. The other memorial is along the lane from the A120 to Great Saling and is to the memory of the 322nd Bomb Group (M). A mural depicting a B-26 adorns an interior wall of the Andrewsfield Flying Club clubhouse. Also on display are a number of photographs showing the airfield under construction.
See also
References
- Freeman, Roger A., Airfields Of The Eighth, Then And Now, 1978
- www.controltowers.co.uk Andrews Field
- mighty8thaf.preller.us Andrews Field
External links
 | This United States Air Force article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |