Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group on a parachute drop.B-24 of the 44th Bomb Group hit by enemy fire on a mission over enemy territory.Medal of Honor Ceremony for Col Leon Johnson at Shipdham Airfield, 1943.Final approach on NE-SW runway, September 2008.
RAF Shipdham was the first US heavy bomber base in Norfolk and was also the continuous host to Consolidated B-24 Liberators longer than any other Eighth Air Force combat airfield in Britain - from October 1942 to late 1945. It was constructed 1941-42[1] and was assigned USAAF designation Station 115 (SJ).[2]
With the departure of the 319th BG, Shipdham was assigned to the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy),[7] arriving from Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma on 10 October 1942.[8]
The 44th was assigned to the 14th Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a "Circle-A". Its operational squadrons were:
The group flew Consolidated B-24 Liberators as part of the Eighth Air Force's strategic bombing campaign. The 44th was the first USAAF group to be equipped with the Liberator and the unit had helped form other groups destined to fly the type. The Group was initially under strength, one of its four squadrons having been detached in the US. In March 1943 the 506th Squadron was assigned to the group.[6]
The 44th Bomb Group's operations consisted primarily of assaults against strategic targets in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Romania, Austria, Poland, and Sicily. Among the targets attacked were submarine installations, industrial establishments, airfields, harbors, shipyards, and other objectives, November 1942 - June 1943.[7]
The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at Kiel on 14 May 1943: Its B-24's flew in the wake of the main formation and carried incendiaries to be dropped after three Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress groups had released high explosive bombs, thus the group's aircraft were particularly vulnerable lacking the protection of the firepower of the main force. This vulnerability increased when the group opened its own formation for the attack; but the 44th blanketed the target with incendiaries in spite of the concentrated flak and continuous interceptor attacks it encountered.[7]
Late in June 1943 a large detachment moved to Libya to help facilitate the Allied invasion of Sicily by bombing airfields and marshalling yards in Italy. The detachment also participated in the famous low-level raid on the Ploesti oil fields on 1 August 1943. The group was awarded a DUC for its part in this raid and its commander, ColonelLeon W. Johnson, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his daring and initiative in leading his men into smoke, flame, and alerted fighter and antiaircraft opposition over the target, which already had been bombed in error by another group.[7]
Before returning to England at the end of August, the detachment bombed an aircraft factory in Austria and supported ground forces in Sicily. In September 1943 the group struck airfields in the Netherlands and France and convoys in the North Sea. Also in September, a detachment was sent to North Africa to support the Salerno operations.[8]
This proved to be the 44th's last detachment and in October when several new B-24 groups were arriving in Norfolk, the 44th was fully committed to the combined bomber offensive from the UK. From November 1943 to April 1945, the group carried out operations against targets in western Europe, concentrating on airfields, oil installations, and marshalling yards.[8]
The group took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944. The group flew support and interdictory missions; struck airfields, railroads, and V-weapon sites in preparation for the Normandy invasion; supported the invasion in June 1944 by attacking strong points in the beachhead area and transportation targets behind the front lines. The group aided the Caen offensive and the Saint-Lô breakthrough in July; and dropped food, ammunition, and other supplies to troops engaged in the airborne attack on the Netherlands in September. The group also helped to check the enemy offensive during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944–January 1945, by striking bridges, tunnels, choke points, rail and road junctions, and communications in the battle area. The group attacked airfields and transportation in support of the advance into Germany, and flew a resupply mission during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.[8]
The 44th Bomb Group flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945. During the course of hostilities, the 44th flew a total of 343 missions and its gunners were credited with 330 enemy fighters shot down; its own losses, the highest of any B-24 group in the Eighth, were 153.[citation needed] The unit returned to Sioux Falls Army Airfield, South Dakota in June 1945.[8]
Part of Shipdham was sold in 1957 and the remainder between 1962 and 1963.[6]
Current use
With the end of military control Arrow Air Services acquired the airfield from a local farmer and applied for planning permission to re-open the airfield. This was granted in September 1969, and the following April. work began on refurbishing the facility. Two of the concrete runways were refurbished, together with the approach road and perimeter track. The runway lights were found to be still serviceable, although they had to be brought up to modern standards.[6]
Shipdham was opened to private flying on 16 June 1970[2] and currently is the home of the Shipdham Aero Club.[citation needed] Its clubhouse is home to their museum and the airfield is unlicensed. Most of the airfield buildings remain in various states of decay,[citation needed] and part of the site is in use as an industrial estate.[6]
In 2012, Powererd Paraglider training operation - Ufly4fun Pilots Club moved to the airfield from Northrepps Aerodrome.
It was reported in July 2023 that the airfield would close for good in November 2023 and would be redeveloped as a solar farm.[10]
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Freeman, R. Airfields of the Eighth - Then and Now. After the Battle. London, UK: Battle of Britain International Ltd., 2001. ISBN0-9009-13-09-6.
Freeman, Roger A. (1991) The Mighty Eighth: The Colour Record. Cassell & Co. ISBN0-304-35708-1
Maurer, M. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. USAF Historical Division. Washington D.C., USA: Zenger Publishing Co., Inc, 1980. ISBN0-89201-092-4.
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