It was planned to open RAF Condover as a satellite station but when it opened in 1942 the RAF had decided to hand over the Atcham site for American use.[citation needed]
To support the USAAF, jurisdiction of Atcham Airfield was transferred from RAF Fighter Command to the USAAF on 15 June 1942 when a number of RAF stations were turned over to the Americans. It was designated as Station 342 (AP).[2]
USAAF Station Units assigned to RAF Atcham were:[4]
333d Service Group (VIII Air Force Composite Command)[6]
332d Service Squadron; HHS, 333d Service Group
42d Service Group (VIII Air Force Composite Command)[7]
356th, 361st Service Squadrons; HHS 42d Service Group
The 6th Fighter Wing was the original training organisation established on 27 August 1942, under the control of VIII Fighter Command.[8] During 1942 and early 1943, it trained pilots in combat operations as well as air-to-air-gunnery with the attached 1st Gunnery & Tow Target Flight.[8] The training was conducted using Supermarine Spitfies and pilots drawn from the 67th Observation GroupatRAF Membury (AAF-466) and RAF Middle Wallop (AAF-449).[8]
The 6th Fighter Wing provided training to the following groups:
After its training was completed in August 1942, the 31st moved to RAF Westhampnett in Sussex before moving into Tafaraoui Airfield, Oran, Algeria on 8 November 1942[9] as part of Twelfth Air Force.[11]
Republic P-47C-5-RE Thunderbolt Serial 41-6530 of the 551st Fighter Training Squadron. This aircraft was formerly assigned to the 56th Fighter Group at RAF Kings Cliffe. This aircraft was condemned due to enemy action 16 April 1946
The 6th Wing was discontinued on 13 September 1943.[14] Its place was taken by a provisional unit, the 2906th Observation Training Group (Fighter), which had been organized on 16 August.[15] The 2906th was replaced in turn by a regular unit, the 495th Fighter Training Group on 26 October 1943.[8] The 495th switched its mission to a Replacement Training Group (RTU) and was assigned two RTU squadrons:[16]
The 495 FTG stayed until February 1945, moving to RAF Cheddington. From August 1944 the Ninth AF P-38s from the 496 FTG/554 FTS from RAF Goxhill used Atcham as a training field.[2][16]
With the end of military control, Atcham airfield was returned to farmland with the runways being broken up and removed and the control tower demolished.[3]
Today there is little evidence of Atcham airfield. Some minor agricultural roads which were part of the perimeter track remain as access to farm fields, and the B4394 uses part of the former South West to North East runway. The three Callender Hamilton hangars of the former technical site remain together in use with all the administration buildings, the whole complex forming the Atcham Industrial Estate northwest of the former airfield area.[3]
Falconer, J (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN978-1-85780-349-5.
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.
Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN1-84037-141-2.
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.