Monument record 1291/1 - Grafton Underwood WWII Airfield (USAAF & RAF)

A former World War Two and Post-War period military airfield, opened in 1942 and closed in 1959. It was originally planned as a Royal Air Force bomber station, but was assigned to the United States Army 8th Air Force, redesignated as Station 106. The original layout had been constructed in 1941, but was not considered adequate for the needs of large American heavy bombers and so was subsequently upgraded in 1942. The runways were lengthened, extra hard standings were added as were two aircraft hangars (type T2). 11 dispersed barrack sites and communal facilities were dispersed to the east of the flying field. On 12-May-1942 the airfield was the first in England to receive an 8th Air Force flying unit (15th Bomb Squadron). It was also the first United Kingdom airfield to launch a major American heavy bomber raid. This was carried out by 342nd and 414th Squadrons of 97th Group, the target was Rouen. Later the airfield was used by the 305th, 96th and 384th Bomb Groups. (The 305th was commanded by Curtis LeMay, who later planned the last bombing offensive against Japan, organised the Berlin airlift, was a senior officer in the Korean War and became Chief of Staff of the American Air Force in 1961 before entering politics). The airfield was also used for the last British based United States Air Force bombing operation of World War Two targeting the Skoda works at Pilsen (now Plzen in the Czech Republic). After the Americans departed in June 1945 the RAF repossessed the station with the 236 Maintenance Unit which disposed of large numbers of surplus motor vehicles which were parked on the runways. Military ownership of Grafton ceased in February 1959. After closure the runways were removed.

{1} Selection of annotated photographs.

{2} The airfield came into use in late 1941 and by early 1942 served as the satellite for Polebrook. Americans arrived at Grafton Underwood in May 1942. Incendiaries were dropped on a nissen hut in June of that year. Parts of the 97th Bomb Group and successively the 305th and 96th, and 384th Bomb Groups were based here. After the Americans departed in June 1945 the RAF repossessed the station with the 236 Maintenance Unit which disposed of large numbers of surplus motor vehicles. Military ownership of Grafton ceased in February 1959. Bowyer reports that the remaining buildings include the operations block and that the bomb dump to the east "can be made out".

{3} Airfield built by G. Wimpey & Co Ltd. Construction involved the destruction of two avenues of trees plus the buildings comprising Rectory Farm and Grafton Lodge Farm. Plan (Fig 6) depicts the location of main features including those placed in surrounding woodland. (Additional detail to that on the plan by Gibson of 1982). "… the living area consisted of wood and canvas hut constructions, the more permanent buildings being brick-built mess halls and clubs." Buildings included "a hospital, cinema and chapel." Officially known as Station 106 it "became an itegral part of the Eighth American Army Air Force."

{4} Home of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 8th Air Force. Lists other units based there briefly. B17 Flying Fortresses flew their first and last missions over Europe from here. A stained glass window in Grafton church commemorates the USAAF occupation of the site.

{5} Plan of the airfield and associated sites made in August 1944; also a list of resident flying units and an aerial photo from April 1951. USAAF Station 106, airfield code GU, elevation 388ft amsl. Summary (p.209-10): 384th Bomb Group, Grafton Underwood 314 missions; 9348 aircraft sorties; 22415 US tons bombs dropped; 154 aircraft went missing.

{7} Grafton Underwood/ Station 106 was originally planned as a Royal Air Force bomber station, but was assigned the the United States Army 8th Air Force, redesignated as Station 106. The original layout had been constructed in 1941, but was not considered adequate for the needs of large American heavy bombers and so was subsequently upgraded in 1942. The runways were lengthened, extra hard standings were added as were two aircraft hangars (type T2). 11 dispersed barrack sites and communal facilities were dispersed to the east of the flying field. On 12-May-1942 the airfield was the first in England to receive an 8th Air Force flying unit (15th Bomb Squadron). It was also the first United Kingdom airfield to launch a major American heavy bomber raid. This was carried out by 342nd and 414th Squadrons of 97th Group, the target was Rouen. Later the airfield was used by the 305th, 96th and 384th Bomb Groups. The 305th was commanded by Curtis LeMay. Post-war the airfield was used for the storage repair and sale of Air Ministry vehicles, which were parked on the runways. After closure the runways were removed.

{8} Grafton Underwood Airfield was not only the first UK airfield to launch Major American Heavy Bomber raid, it was also the last British base to launch a raid by American bombers in World War Two. This was on the Skoda works at Pilsen.

{10} Curtis LeMay: After service with 305 Bombardment Group based in Britain Curtis Lemay went on to plan the final bombing offensive on Japan and later organized the Berlin Air Lift. He was head of Strategic Air Command from 1948 to 1957, and was Chief of Staff of the Air Force in 1961. He retired from active service in 1965.

{11} A survey of numerous websites shows that General Curtis E. Lemay was an influential and sometimes controversial World War Two and Cold War tactician and commander who figured heavily in the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Korean War. He was allegedly the model for the American general in Peter Seller's Film, "Dr. Strangelove". He later attempted a career in politics and died in 1990.

<1> 1978, Northamptonshire at War 1939-45: A Selection of Photographs, p.121-4 (unchecked) (Book). SNN39875.

<2> Bowyer M.J.F., 1990, Action Stations 6: Military Airfields of The Cotswolds and The Central Midlands, (unchecked) (Book). SNN39505.

<3> 1991, GRAFTON UNDERWOOD, REF: LM/OCT.91 (unchecked) (Leaflet). SNN39870.

<4> Northamptonshire Enterprise, 1994, World War II American Airfield Nostalgia, (checked) (Pamphlet). SNN28528.

<5> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.209-10+256-57 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<6> Willis, S. and Holliss, B., 1987, Military airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945, p. 90 (Book). SNN111556.

<7> Freeman, R.A., 1978, Airfields of the eighth: then and now, p. 102-4 (Book). SNN111557.

<8> Airfield Research Group, 1996, Airfield Review, p. 30-1 (Journal). SNN114121.

<9> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), 1:10000, 1975 (Map). SNN112944.

<10> All Star Network, "Curtis E.LeMay", updated 12-MAR-2004. Accessed 14-APR-2004 (Website). SNN114122.

<11> ORAL REPORT, Compiler's Comment, Robin Page, 14-APR-2004 (Oral Report). SNN53287.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:34PM