78th Fighter Group
78th Fighter Group
8th Air Force Neighbors . .
For specific locations of these Facilities, Please refer to the map, " 8th Air Force Bases - East Anglia ".
Debden...the 4th Fighter Group. . .the "Debden Eagles"
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Built between 1935-1939, Debden Air Field( Station 356 ) was similar in construction to Duxford with permanent brick barracks and administrative buildings. Three hangars, concrete runways and hard stands were also available about the time that the facility was occupied by the USAAF 4th Fighter Group in 1942. The three RAF Spitfire equipped "Eagle" Squadrons formed the initial elements of the 4th Fighter Group. They were officially turned over to the USAAF on September 29, 1942. The Group transitioned from their beloved Spitfires to P-47 Thunderbolts and eventually to P-51 Mustangs. The Group compiled 583.5 air victories and 469 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. This was the highest total for any unit of the USAAF in World War II. The 4th Fighter Group remained at Debden( known as the " Eagles Nest " ) until July, 1945.
A "Gathering of Eagles"; P-47Cs of the 4th Fighter Group maneuver for takeoff from the eastern end of the Debden main runway. Abbots farm( a landmark north of the Field )can be seen in the background. ( Picture Source: " Airfields of the Eighth ..Then and Now ", Roger A. Freeman, After the Battle Magazine, Battle of Britain Prints, Ltd., 1978 )
Please visit the " 4th Fighter Group Association " web page for additional information.
Steeple Morden...the 355th Fighter Group
Established as an 8th Air Force Fighter Base in 1943( Station 122 ), Steeple Morden was originally used as a small satellite field for Bassingbourne. The addition of concrete runways, living and technical facilities allowed expanded operations and accommodations for some 2,000 personnel. the base was occupied by the 355th Fighter Group for two years. The Unit operated both P-47 and P-51 aircraft and holds the record for the most enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground by an 8th Air Force Unit. Please visit the 355th Fighter Group for more information.
The P-51D, WR-A, "Man O' War", s/n 44-73144 sits on a hard stand at the southeast corner of the field. It was the personal aircraft of Colonel Claiborne Kinnard, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 355th Fighter Group. ( Picture Source: " Airfields of the Eighth ..Then and Now ", Roger A. Freeman, After the Battle Magazine, Battle of Britain Prints, Ltd., 1978 )
Bassingbourne...the 91st Heavy Bombardment Group
Bassingbourne( Station 121 ), just North of Royston was the home of the 91st Bomb Group from November 7, 1942 to April 25, 1945. Similar to Duxford, Bassingbourne was built by the RAF in the late 1930s and offered heated brick building living quarters and an established technical area. The 91st BG, known as "The Ragged Irregulars", flew over 340 missions from Bassingbourne.
Bassingbourne viewed from the top of the #3 hangar facing North in mid 1944. On parade are a variety of aircraft including(from L to R), a L-4 Grasshopper , a UC-64 Norseman, a P-47D(coded MX which was assigned to the 82nd FS, 78th FG, absent however, are the distinctive "checkerboard" nose markings) and a UC-78 Bobcat. A 91st BG B-17G taxis past the Control Tower. Always ready, emergency vehicles can be seen lined up next to the Tower. In the distance(right) a B-26 Marauder can be seen on the Apron in front of #4 hangar.( Picture Source: " Airfields of the Eighth ..Then and Now ", Roger A. Freeman, After the Battle Magazine, Battle of Britain Prints, Ltd., 1978 )
Due to the close proximity of their Bases, personnel from the 78th and the 91st BG shared a number of "social" establishments and activities. Close friendships and rivalries soon developed. One of the more famous incidents between the two Units occurred shortly after the German surrender. It was known as the
Redline Incident.
In November,1944, the 78th Fighter Group moved flight operations temporarily to Bassingbourne during the construction of a new PSP(perforated steel plate) runway at Duxford. 78th pilots and maitenence crews commuted daily to the air field from Duxford.
78th Fighter Group aircraft were temporarily stationed at Bassingbourne during the November, 1944 PSP runway construction. P-47D MX-S, s/n 42-27339 was assigned to Lt.Col. Joseph Myers,then a Major with the 82nd Squadron. Major Myers in this aircraft was to be credited with the first 8th Air Force Fighter Command Me-262 jet victory. The next aircraft in line is a P-47D, MX-W, s/n 42-26387," Miss Behave", assigned to Lt. Robert A. Bosworth. This aircraft was the second to the last block "22" razorback P-47D to be built. All others woud be produced with Bubble canopies.
Please visit the " 91st Bomb Group " web page for additional information.
This page was last revised on 1 / 26 / 01
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