Visit to USAAF Station 110 Polebrook
CAF UK Wing Colonels were honoured to attend the airfield walk organised by the “Friends of the 384th Bomb Group”, a local group of history enthusiasts based around the historic Northamptonshire airfield of Grafton Underwood.
Polebrook is located just south of Peterborough near Oundle Northamptonshire. Polebrook, saw service during WW2 and was originally built for the RAF. It served the USAAF heavy bombers of the Eighth air force during WW2 and later in the 1950’s was the site of the first British Nuclear deterrent missile system the “Thor”.
From 12 December 1943 to 12 June 1945, Polebrook served as headquarters for the 94th Combat Bombardment Wing of the 1st Bombardment Division. It was designated USAAF Station 110.
During the War Polebrook was the home for the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), and later the 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy).
One of the most famous crewmembers to serve at Polebrook was Hollywood actor Clark (William Clark) Gable.
“Clark Gable flew at least 5 missions as Captain filming 50,000 ft of gunnery combat during 1943. He received the Air Medal for his service. 1 mission was flown with the 303rd BG. The rest were with the 351st BG in different aircraft. The film was named 'Combat America' and was released to help increase recruitment in the Army. He was later awarded the DFC.” “Clark Gable volunteered for the AAF, training as an aerial gunner and photographer. He was assigned to England to film air gunners in aerial combat. The end result was released as “Combat America”. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force and joined the 351st Bombardment Group, stationed at Polebrook. Officially, he flew 5 missions but veterans remember he flew many more. He followed the crew of B-17 “Ain’t it Gruesome” with a cameraman and sound engineer through 24 missions.”
During our visit to Polebrook- we were able to walk the remnants of the original flight line and visit a number of the remaining WW2 buildings as well as the Thor Missile launch pad stands. We were joined by the landowner and a number of local residents whom had grown up in the war and 1950’s in the adjacent area. It was a great privilege to hear their first hand accounts as children fraternizing with the GI’s on the base, and hear their accounts of the exploits and tales from the GI’s. It was also a rare opportunity to hear of first hand accounts from residents who witnessed the frequent drills of the Thor missiles being made ready during the cold war standoff. These first hand accounts brought to life the now decaying remnants of the buildings and structures and helped us understand the significance of this airfield and its role in both WW2 and the early cold war.
Notable structures at Polebrook that survive today are: the WW2 Battle HQ Bunker, Numerous Stanton airfield air raid shelters, Base Electricity Generator and oil store, several original hangers, numerous airfield defence pillboxes and structures. The land is entirely within private ownership so is not generally accessible to members of the public. This visit was made entirely with the landowners permission. Thanks to the “Friends of the 384th” and the landowners for facilitating this fantastic opportunity to explore this forgotten historical site in Northamptonshire.
Original Photographs and maps courtesy of the America Air Museum in Britain (AAMB) Imperial War Museum.