...taken from the excellent book "Suffolk Airfields in the Second World War" by Graham Smith, published by Countryside Books, Newbury, Berkshire, England.
ISBN 1-85306-342-8.

Click on the cover image to Buy the book, here, now!

Shepherd's Grove owes its name to a small wood situated to the west of the field (see today's map).  It had been recognised as a suitable site for a bomber station as far back as August 1942, when it was known as Hepworth, from the neighbouring village.  But there was quite a wait for its moments of glory.

Building of Shepherd's Grove commenced in 1943, to be used by the 8th Air force. But, by the time it was completed in early 1944 the USAAF had sufficient airfields, so it was allocated to No.3 Group of (British) Bomber Command, as a satellite to No.31 Base at Stradishall.  No.1657 Heavy Conversion Unit arrived with Stirlings and for the rest of the war Shepherd's Grove was essentially a Stirling base.

By early 1944, the Group's squadrons were getting involved in SOE operations and engaged in dropping small units of SAS (Special Air Service) men into occupied territories.

In January 1945 squadrons 196 and 299 arrived at Shepherd's Grove.  On the night of 25/26 February a Stirling from 196 squadron was lost over southern Norway.  On 2/3 March two Stirlings from 299 squadron were lost on another Norwegian mission.  Towards the end of the month both squadrons were in Operation Varsity - the Allied armies' crossing of the Rhine - with the Group contributing 319 Stirlings and Halifaxes towing Horsa and Hamilcar gliders.

On 7/8 April the large SAS operation Amhurst dropped supplies, SAS troops and jeeps into occupied northern Holland.  Aircraft flew at 500 feet at just 130mph, making them vulnerable to small arms fire let alone flak.  Only one of 38 Group's 44 aircraft was lost.  Four nights later each squadron lost another aircraft.  Next day the 2 crew of a damaged Mosquito were killed while attempting an emergency landing at Shepherd's Grove.

During the Cold War, on 27th August 1951, F-86A Sabre jets of 81st Fighter Interceptor Wing of the USAF arrived, to become the first foreign aircraft to be assigned to the air defence of Great Britain.  For seven years Shepherd's Grove was the home of American jet fighters.

The airfield still shows up on maps and on aerial photographs.

Also of interest:

The entire 1959 Year Book, scanned by Connie Manos, and much more,  at 78th Bushmasters web site.

Jack Nixon's Shepherd's Grove web site, for Bushmasters 1954-58

The entire SG 1958 Year Book by Charles Lee (permission Bill Smiley)