War Memorial #1639 ~ USAAF - Spanhoe Traditional Cache

History

The memorial was erected by the 315th Troop Carrier Group Association in 1983. It remembers those who served from the Second World War airfield, and especially those who died in service.

Spanhoe Airfield was originally intended to be an operational bomber station. It was completed late in 1943 and opened in early 1944. The airfield was allocated to the US Army Air Force as part of the development of the 9th Air Force. Its only operational use was by the 315th Troop Carrier Group, which, following intensive training, employed C-47 and C-53 aircraft to drop paratroopers and deliver troops and supplies by glider during the Allied invasion of Europe.

Forty-eight aircraft participated in the first assault on 4 June 1944. The Group was also employed in Operation Market Garden in September 1944; resupply missions to support advancing Allied troops in France; and in support of Operation Varsity, the crossing of the River Rhine, in March 1945. The Group left the airfield in April 1945. For the accuracy of its work on D-Day, the Group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and for its participation, and resulting losses, in Operation Market Garden, the Group is honoured annually by the Royal Family of the Netherlands.

Following the end of the Second World War, the airfield was used by No253 Maintenance Unit. This unit disbanded in 1947 and the airfield was returned to agricultural uses, except for the southern part which is still in use as an airfield.