History of the Airfield Construction of the airfield started in 1941, with the removal of the fruit orchards. The 386th Bomb Group arrived in May 1943 and was assigned to the US 9th Tactical Air Force and flew the Martin B26 Marauder. The group’s role was to destroy strategic targets such as airfields, convoys, tanks, trains etc. The first mission from Boxted was to bomb Woensdrecht airfield in Holland; one Marauder was lost, but the mission was successful. The 386th only stayed at Boxted for three months before being transferred to Dunmow in September 1943. The 354th Fighter Group came to Boxted in November 1943. This group flew the new Merlin engine P51B Mustang. Their primary role was to escort the bombers on their missions over the continent and eventually all the way to Germany. After their first commanding officer, Kenneth Martin, was shot down and captured, James Howard was put in charge. Jim was the perfect choice, he had seen combat with the Flying Tigers in China. On11th January 1944 Lt Col. JamesHoward, C.O. of the356thFS, flying abomber supportmission, came upon a formation of thirty enemy fighters attacking B17s of the 401st Bomb Group over Oschersleben, Germany. Finding himself temporarily alone and without any thought for his own safety he attacked the enemy formation. He pressed home his attacks claiming three destroyed From inside the community 35
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