History of RAF Ridgewell & 381st Bomb Group
A Brief history of RAF Ridgewell
1941
Construction of the airfield commences. RAF Ridgewell would eventually consist of : three runways, 3 miles of perimeter track, two T2 type hangers, 36 hardstands, hospital site, bomb store, technical site, headquarters site and eleven domestic sites (455 buildings, accommodating 2,894 men)
December 1941
RAF Ridgewell is one of the first airfields to be completed to a Class A heavy bomber specification. Arrival of 90 Squadron RAF.
June 1942
RAF Ridgewell is officially allocated to the 8th Airforce, but the airfield will be used by the RAF temporarily from December 1942.
January 1943
First operation by 90sq RAF from Ridgewell airfield. Mine laying in German waters.
April 1943
Seventeen Stirling aircraft were sent to attack a German Heinkel aircraft factory in Rostock. Three Stirlings failed to return, with the loss of 21 men. This was 90 squadrons biggest loss from RAF Ridgewell.
May 1943
90 squadrons final operation from Ridgewell, to Wuppertal, a German manufacturing area.
90 squadron leave Ridgewell.
While at Ridgewell, 90 squadron had completed 51 operations, and lost twenty eight Stirlings.
Stirling Aircraft
Ridgewell from Above
Medical Barracks
Tarmacing
3rd June 1943
Ground crew from the 381st Bomb Group, USAAF arrive at Ridgewell/ Station 167.
22nd June 1943
The 381st BG first mission over Europe. To Antwerp in Belgium. Four B-17 aircraft were lost and ten men killed.
23rd June 1943
The aircraft ‘Caroline’ exploded on her hardstand, killing 23 Americans and one British civilian. This was the worst ground accident for the 8th Airforce during WW2.
17th August 1943
One of the 381sts costliest raid, to Schweinfurt, Germany. Bad weather, a delay in departure and heavy German Luftwaffe attacks resulted in the loss of eleven B-17,s and over one hundred men.
24th December 1943
The men of the 381st BG host a Christmas party for local children at the base, it was expected than 250 children would attend but 375 arrived in the day! For some of the children this would be their first taste of ice cream.
19th April 1944
The commander of the 8th Airforce, Lieutenant General James ‘ Jimmy’ Doolittle visits Ridgewell.
27th April 1944
The 381st BG flys it’s 100 th mission.
6th June 1944
D- Day. 48 aircraft from Ridgewell are dispatched on two missions to bomb German installations in Normandy. All aircraft and crews return with no losses.
2nd September 1944
Bing Crosby visits Ridgewell to perform a two hour show. Around 4,000 people attend. The show is performed in one of the hangers and men are seen hanging off the roof girders to get a good view.
Actress Vivian Leigh speaks to the 381st Bomb Group during the christening of B-17 Stage Door Canteen
Ridgewell from Above
Actor Edward G. Robinson (second from right) enjoys a cigar in the Ridgewell Officers' Mess, 1944
B-17 Stage Door Canteen christening by Mary Churchill
21st January 1945
Aircraft: ‘Egg Haid’ and ‘Schnozzle’ on returning to Ridgewell, collide into each other near the airfield. 18 men are killed.
23rd April 1945
Five crew and 26 passengers board B-17 43-38856 for a rest and recuperation trip to Northern Ireland. As the aircraft approached the Isle of Man it struck the slopes of North Barrule (the Isle of Mans second highest peak).
All on board, (31 men) were killed instantly. This was to be the Isle of Mans worst air disaster.
25th April 1945
The 381sts last mission from Ridgewell to Pilsen in Czechoslovakia. No losses.
20th June 1945
381st operations from 1943 to 1945:
Operational days : 748
Missions : 297
B- 17’s lost : 165
The 381st BG leave Ridgewell for the last time.
15th July 1945
RAF Ridgewell is officially transferred back to RAF Maintenance Command.
94 Maintenance Unit was stationed at Ridgewell from September 1946 until March 1955. (Ridgewell is used to store and dispose of unused ordnance).
31st March 1957
RAF Ridgewell is decommissioned.
1st Lt. John A. Silvernale and crew after completing their tour in March 1944
B17 Flying Fortress
Takeoff
USAAF servicemen and villagers from Great Yeldham, England, 1945
Recommended Reading:
Bomb Group
by Paul Bingley and Mike Peters
Published 2022, Hardback,406 pages.
This is a in-depth history of the 381st USAAF / 8th Airforce at Ridgewell.
Available via Amazon.
The Airmen of Ridgewell
by Derek Wyndham Mayes
Paperback, published in 2019. 249 pages. This book includes information on 90 squadron RAF at Ridgewell, the 381st, and the airfields use post war as a maintenance unit.
£12 plus postage.
Available from the museum shop
Our museum is only possible with your support
-
Become a Member
Help us maintain the museum and its collection by becoming a member. In return, you’ll receive newsletters and exclusive invitations to special events, including free walking tours.
-
Donate Now
Make a donation to the Ridgewell Airfield Museum and help us preserve and share the stories of those who served at this historic base, while supporting the continued growth and development of the museum.
-
Visit Us
We’re open on the second Sunday of each month, from March to October. Explore the rich history of the Royal Air Force No. 90 Squadron and the U.S. Eighth Air Force’s 381st Bomb Group through our fascinating exhibits.
