USAAF in Yorkshire of nearby counties

[garbfink]

Hi all.

I've been slamming my head against a brick wall for the last three years now. I'm not sure if is ever going to get broken through but we'll see.

Im trying to trace a USAAF individual who was present in Yorkshire or close to during late 1942 early 1943.

My military knowledge is pretty rubbish but if anyone can point me in the right direction of what bases in your score may have been used by the USAAF during that period then I would appreciate it.

Also are the records for all usaaf personnel in tact or have some been lost etc?

Any help would be appreciated.

All the best

Simon.

[MaxD]

Have you searched at the US National Archives?  Here https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/018.html for example are the records they hold.  An email  https://www.archives.gov/contact may get some guidance?  They also hold veterans records (subject to some restrictions) (top tab) if you find your individual.

maxD

[BumbleB]

This website professes to name all the USAAF bases in England from 1942.

http://www.controltowers.co.uk/usaaf%20list.htm

Added:  If you just google "USAAF bases in England during WW2" there is a long list of sites offering information.

[BumbleB]

It appears that 75% of service records were lost in a fire in 1973.

https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States_World_War_II_Service_Records

[garbfink]

Thanks for the help.

I'm gong to have a look at all of that tonight.

S.

[Hornchurch]

Hi all.

I've been slamming my head against a brick wall for the last three years now. I'm not sure if is ever going to get broken through but we'll see.

Im trying to trace a USAAF individual who was present in Yorkshire or close to during late 1942 early 1943.

My military knowledge is pretty rubbish but if anyone can point me in the right direction of what bases in your score may have been used by the USAAF during that period then I would appreciate it.

Also are the records for all usaaf personnel in tact or have some been lost etc?

Any help would be appreciated.

All the best

Simon.

'


 Simon,   I am MANY years (too?), late here, as I've only just this sec; read your post.

 My immediate reaction was (& still is), that THE base you may well be looking for, is "Goxhill".

 I'm a lifelong (since 1960's) Military aircraft enthusiast & have always been interested in the USAAF

 "Goxhill" was THE base that screamed-out at me, as I read your post, it's seems like the ideal candidate.

 Whilst the Wiki' entry would suggest it's in Northern Lincolnshire (well, it is !), it's actually considered to be part of 'Kingston Upon Hull'  (i.e, Hull, but "on the South Bank, hence Linc's)

 Kingston upon Hull being "in the East Riding of Yorkshire" definitely fits your bill.

 The Yanks took it over in August 1942 - (or, "late 1942" as you posted, so it fits-in well)

 American USAAF Bombers started slowly, as things GRADUALLY built up & even the initial USAAF bombing raids were carried-out by reverse 'Lease-Lend' Douglas Bostons (USA-UK-USA), as the fledgling 8th Air Force had to (rather embarrassingly), borrow RAF '2-Group' Bostons to initiate their own raids, whilst waiting for the early B.24s & B.17s to turn-up.

 Goxhill was part of the build up for the USAAF's 8th & 9th Air Force & was/is THE furthest USAAF base up THAT side of the East Coast that I know of - It was known as "Station # 345"

  https://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/the-first-of-many-raf-goxhill.html

  Here's a fine link (ABOVE), showing you it's (former) Tower & various wartime shots of P.38s & P.47s

  Hope that helps (?),  even "if" I am a Gazillion years to late, to the party