Short Stirling N3756
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Suffolk
Great Ashfield — 385th Bomb Group Memorials
Great Ashfield, Suffolk
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
PCC confirmed as maintainer of church memorials (IWM records). Airfield gate plaque has no confirmed maintainer.
Type
Multiple — airfield gate plaque, church altar and reredos, stained glass window
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
All Saints Church, Elmswell Road, Great Ashfield, IP31 3HQ
All Saints Church is open to visitors. The airfield gate plaque is at the church perimeter. The former airfield is now largely agricultural land.
What Happened
The Royal Flying Corps had a grass landing strip on this site as early as 1918, and before the USAF arrived in mid-1943, the RAF had been using it for training. Fortunately for the personnel at the airfield, no specific crash incident was mentioned in the provided text.
Community Connection
The community connection was so strong that they even named a street after the airfield - Great Ashfield Airfield Road.
Remembrance
Royal Flying Corps grass landing strip(1918)
The Royal Flying Corps had a grass landing strip on this site as early as 1918.
RAF training(pre-mid 1943)
Before the USAF arrived in mid-1943, the RAF had been using it for training.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
B-17 Flying Fortress
Serial Number
Multiple aircraft
Squadron
385th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th USAAF
Station
USAAF Station 155, Great Ashfield
Date of Loss
WW2 (1943-1945)
Crew
400+ USAAF personnel killed in operations 1943–1945; 129 B-17s lost over 296 combat missions
Memorial Care
church_pcc
Organisation
Great Ashfield Parochial Church Council (PCC)
PCC confirmed as maintainer of church memorials (IWM records). Airfield gate plaque has no confirmed maintainer.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Great Ashfield Parochial Church Council (PCC)church pcc
Maintains the altar/reredos and stained glass window memorials inside All Saints Church
Royal British Legion — Suffolkbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Great Ashfield Parish Councilparish council
Local authority with interest in the former airfield site
385th Bomb Group Associationhistorical society
Primary custodian of the 385th BG's history; extensive photo archive at 385thbga.com
Elmswell History Grouplocal history
Documents the history of Great Ashfield airfield and surrounding area
American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.heritage trust
US non-profit monitoring and documenting American war memorials in Europe
Further Reading
385th Bomb Group AssociationRetrieved 2026-04-06
The 385th BGA maintains extensive records of the group's operations from Great Ashfield (USAAF Station 155), Suffolk. The group flew 296 combat missions between June 1943 and May 1945, losing 129 B-17s and 400+ men. Notable operations include targets across Germany, France, and occupied Europe. Their final sorties were humanitarian food drops over Holland in Operation Chowhound, May 1945.
What you'll find: Explore comprehensive records of the 385th Bomb Group's operations at Great Ashfield Airbase.
296 missions; 129 aircraft lost; 400+ killed; Glenn Miller performed at the base on reaching 200 missions; last missions were food drops over Holland (Operation Chowhound)
Elmswell History GroupRetrieved 2026-04-06
Local history documentation of the Great Ashfield airfield and its connection with the 385th Bomb Group. The airfield was sold off in 1955 after the war. Some deteriorated wartime buildings remain on what is now largely agricultural land.
What you'll find: Explore local history: Discover Great Ashfield airfield's role with the 385th Bomb Group and its post-war fate.
Airfield sold 1955; some wartime structures remain
Nearby Memorials
Sources
385th Bomb Group Association (retrieved 2026-04-06)
Elmswell History Group (retrieved 2026-04-06)
American Air Museum in Britain (website)
Suffolk Heritage Explorer — MSF24399 (heritage_register)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
With thanks to
Mary Blanche — Photos and PDF documentation of interpretation panel and memorial plaque
Last updated 2026-04-06
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