Aeródromo de Bottisham
La
base está localizada a cinco millas al este de Cambridge y al sur de la ciudad
de Bottisham. Fue abierto en marzo de 1940 siendo usado por Tiger Moths
transferidos del 22 EFTS preparados para actuar sobre una posible invasión. La
unidad actuó en él hasta octubre y el RLG hasta mediados de 1941.
Con la retirada del servicio de los Tiger Moths la base quedó para el 241 Sqn Army Co-operation Command equipado con Lyssander, Tomahawks y Mustang I. A partir del 15 de junio de 1942 el aeródromo quedó como base del 652º y 168º Sqdn.
Al llegar el contingente de la USAF este campo, al igual que otros muchos, quedó bajo el control de la USAF con la designación Station 374 (IM). La pista se amplió y se crearon nuevas zonas de refugios circulares para la protección de los aparatos. El que ocupó el campo fue el 361st Fighter Group (8º AF), integrado en el 65th Fighter Wing, que llegó desde Richmond el 30 de noviembre de 1943. Sus aparatos eran identificables por estar pintados de amarillo en la zona del motor y la cola con los siguientes escuadrones; 374th Fighter Squadron (B7), 375th Fighter Squadron (E2), 376th Fighter Squadron (E9). La unidad entró en combate por primera vez 21 de enero de 1944 con sus P-47 y en mayo los cambió por P-51. Sirvió como escolta para los bombarderos pesados en su trayecto de ida y vuelta sobre el continente. En septiembre de 1944 el 361st fue trasladado al aeródromo de Little Walden ya que la unidad que estaba ahí basada, el 409th Bombardment Group (Light), fue trasladado a Francia.
Desde mediados de 1945 hasta el 5 de enero 1946 Bottisham fue utilizado temporalmente por los aviadores belgas, hasta que se cerró. Hoy en día, poca queda del aeródromo de Bottisham ya que la tierra ha sido reclamada para la agricultura, sin embargo, algunos edificios siguen en uso.
Bottisham, 7 de mayo de 1946
Fuentes:
FREEMAN, R. “UK Airfields of the
Ninth: Then and Now 1994” After the battle, 1994
FREEMAN, R. “The Ninth Air Force in Colour: UK and the
Continent-World War Two” 1996
MAURER, M. “Air Force Combat Units Of World War II” Maxwell AFB, 1983
English version
The base is located five miles east of Cambridge
and south of the
city of Bottisham. It was opened
in March 1940 being used by Tiger Moths transferred
from 22 EFTS prepared
to act on a possible invasion.
The unit acted on
it until October to mid 1941 RLG.
With the decommissioning of the Tiger Moths was the basis for the 241 Sqn Army Co-operation Command equipped with Lyssander, Tomahawks and Mustang I. As of June 15, 1942 the airfield was the basis of 652º and 168º Sqdn.
With the decommissioning of the Tiger Moths was the basis for the 241 Sqn Army Co-operation Command equipped with Lyssander, Tomahawks and Mustang I. As of June 15, 1942 the airfield was the basis of 652º and 168º Sqdn.
Republic P-47D-11-RE Thunderbolt Serial 42-75452 of the 374th Fighter Squadron
By the USAF contingent this field, like many others, came under the control of the USAF under the designation Station 374 (IM). The track was expanded and created new areas of circular huts to protect the devices. Whoever took the field was the 361st Fighter Group (8th AF), integrated into the 65th Fighter Wing, which arrived from Richmond on November 30, 1943. Their devices were identifiable by being painted yellow in the engine area and tail with the following armies: 374th Fighter Squadron (B7), 375th Fighter Squadron (E2), 376th Fighter Squadron (E9). The unit saw combat for the first time January 21, 1944 with his P-47 and in May the P-51 changed. He served as an escort for heavy bombers on their way to and from the continent. In September 1944 the 361st was transferred to Little Walden airfield since the unit was based there, the 409th Bombardment Group (Light), was transferred to France.
From mid-1945 until January 5, 1946 Bottisham was used temporarily by Belgian airmen, until it closed. Today, little remains of Bottisham airfield as the land has been reclaimed for agriculture, however, some buildings still in use.
Bottisham, now
Sources:
FREEMAN, R. “UK Airfields of the
Ninth: Then and Now 1994” After the battle, 1994
FREEMAN, R. “The Ninth Air Force in Colour: UK and the
Continent-World War Two” 1996
MAURER, M. “Air Force Combat Units Of World War II” Maxwell AFB, 1983
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