U.S. Army Air Forces Historical Society

U.S. Army Air Forces Historical Society The Society that keeps the legacy of the U.S.Army Air Forces alive. True living history by professional research, commitment and know how. U.S.

ARMY AIR FORCES HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Thanks for stopping by our page. The idea for this page and group started because a few friends with slightly different Air Power interests and impressions realized that there was so much more to the US Army Air Forces in Europe during WWII then just Bomb Groups-which is where most of us started. Since we collectively shared an interest in US WWII Air Power, we decided to expand our impressions to include not only Bomber Crews, but also Fighter Pilots, Medium Bomber Crews, Troop Carrier Crews, and Glider Pilots. We also recognized the need for impressions of the myriad of ground and support personnel that enabled those fliers to fly and who outnumbered them by more than a hundredfold. It was the unsung work of the Staff Personnel, Armorers, Maintenance Teams, Radio Repairman, Firefighters, Truck Drivers, Chaplains, and even MPs who propelled the AAF Groups to become the point of the spear for the World’s most powerful Air Force. So we welcome all AAF impressions, WASPs (Women Air Force Service Pilots) and even the ARC Mobile Service (American Red Cross Ladies) who played an important role for motivating the Airmen and Ground Crews with their Coffee, Doughnuts and ever loving smiles. But we do have a few very basic ground rules, which are common sense and have to do more with appearance then anything else. We look forward to hearing from you and once again thanks again for stopping by and don’t forget to keep checking in. Our Historical Society represents and honors the 381st Bomb Group and its 4 Bomb Squadrons, 532nd, 533th, 534th, 535th
Since FB maps does not know Ridgewell Airfield in Essex, 381st BG, Station 167, we have chosen a nearby location :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Ridgewell

A nice set of analogue photography as seen through a +80 years Speed Graflex Anniversary camera by the eye of photograp...
13/09/2026

A nice set of analogue photography as seen through a +80 years Speed Graflex Anniversary camera by the eye of photographer Roel Louwers, who surprised us by a photo session.

Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 camera—designated by the U.S. military as the PH-47—was the standard-issue large-format press camera used by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and other branch combat photographers during World War II.
(https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/ph-47-speed-graphic-army-photography),(https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1145431)

The PH-47 / Speed Graphic in the USAAF. Issued to documentation units, combat camera squads, and base photo labs to record aircraft operations, crash investigations, personnel, and combat missions. Format: Used large 4x5-inch sheet film, allowing high-detail negatives that could be cropped or enlarged heavily.

Known for its rugged, heavy wooden-and-metal box construction, optical viewfinder, and focal-plane shutter capable of fast speeds suited for action and news. (https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1145431)

Handheld or tripod-mounted, operated by enlisted and officer photographers assigned to public relations, historical documentation, and technical intelligence units.

An amazing camera that is still operative. Roel is a member of an US War Photographers and Correspondents re-enactment group who all are operating (pre)WWII analogue cameras and developing their own films.

Fantastic photo results, Roel 👌👏🫡

Airbase Goetsenhoven, Tienen (B).
Camera: Graflex Speed Graphic Anniversary 1941
Film: Fomapan 200 b/w 4x5"
Developer: Kodak HC-110
Photo © Roel Louwers.

'Airmen and Ground Crew´

A nice set of photos by our Flight Nurse, Febe, showing our mechanics, armourers at work at Goetsenhoven Airfield. Ofcou...
10/09/2026

A nice set of photos by our Flight Nurse, Febe, showing our mechanics, armourers at work at Goetsenhoven Airfield. Ofcourse our Mascot 'Odie' is in Focus too 😉

Happy Friday, everyone! 🙏👋

We had an excellent Weekend at Airfield Goetsenhoven. For the people who have visited our Air Base, thanks for your huge...
08/09/2026

We had an excellent Weekend at Airfield Goetsenhoven. For the people who have visited our Air Base, thanks for your huge interest. We'll be seeing us back on that Airfield in 2028, but before that you can ofcourse see us back on few Airshows or events involving the U.S. Army Air Forces. No doubt many photos will pop up soon on Facebook or the internet.

Have a good week Friends and Followers of our page. Keep'Em Flying 😉👋🫡

Goetsenhoven Airfield in Belgium suffered a surprise German Luftwaffe attack on May 10, 1940, and was later repaired and used by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) in late 1944.

German Attack (May 1940)
The Invasion: On May 10, 1940, the German Luftwaffe bombed and strafed Goetsenhoven Airfield during the initial invasion of Belgium.
The Damage: The surprise assault killed several personnel, destroyed multiple Belgian military aircraft on the ground, and forced surviving units to retreat.

Occupation: The German Wehrmacht seized control of the battered airfield shortly after the retreat, using it as a reserve facility during the occupation.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goetsenhoven_Airfield)

US Air Force and Allied Arrival (Late 1944)
Allied Bombing & Sweeps: As German forces retreated, the USAAF Ninth Air Force targeted the base with B-26 Marauders and P-47 Thunderbolts in October 1944 to neutralize remaining enemy presence.

Reconstruction: Allied ground troops moved into the Tienen area around October 20, 1944. Shortly after, the USAAF IX Engineering Command (specifically the 862d Engineer Aviation Battalion) built a 3,600-foot all-weather Pierced Steel Planking runway at the airfield. (https://military history.fandom.com/wiki/Goetsenhoven_Military_Airfield)

Goetsenhoven Air Base, establsihed in 1922 was the first military airfield in Belgium.

Pre-WWII Era (1922–1940)Foundation: Built as a grass airfield by the Belgian military (Aéronautique Militaire Belge). The inaugural air meeting took place in September 1922 and drew over 50,000 visitors (https://1winghistoricalcentre.be/Int%C3%A9rieur_du_Mus%C3%A9e_-_In_het_Museum___Goetsenhoven_-_Gossoncourt)
Early Operations:
It initially served as a base for observation and reconnaissance aircraft, including Ansaldo A.300 and De Havilland DH.9 biplanes.

Wartime Buildup: Right before WWII, it served as a primary base for fighter-bomber squadrons flying Fairey Foxes, and it housed a basic flight school utilizing Stampe-Vertongen SV.4 training aircraft.

Post-WWII Era (1950–Present)
The Return of the Air Force: After the US military departed and the base was reconstructed, the Belgian Air Force officially reopened Goetsenhoven in 1950. [1] (https://www.urbex.nl/elementary-flying-school/)
The Training Hub: It became the permanent home of the Elementaire Vliegschool (EVS) / Elementary Flying School. For decades, every prospective Belgian military pilot completed their first flight hours here. They trained on iconic aircraft like the Stampe-Vertongen SV-4b and, from 1969 onward, the SIAI Marchetti SF.260 (https://defensieblog.com/2026/01/24/defensie-goetsenhoven/)

Modern Status: Permanent military flight training moved to Beauvechain Airbase in 1996, effectively ending daily military operations. However, the Belgian Defense department still retains absolute usage rights to the field, using it alongside local civilian flying clubs and ULM flight groups. (https://www.hangarflying.eu/erfgoedsites/gebouwen-van-het-militair-vliegveld-goetsenhoven/)

'We are where planes are'. 😉Come and visit us at Airfield Goetsenhoven, Belgium, and Airfield with a WWII history.It is ...
04/09/2026

'We are where planes are'. 😉Come and visit us at Airfield Goetsenhoven, Belgium, and Airfield with a WWII history.

It is promising a dry and sunny weekend.
If you are in the neighbourhood, see you around 👋

Happy Friday and Keep' Em Flying, everyone ☕️🍩🫡

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02/09/2026

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02/09/2026
02/09/2026

The only B-29 in Europe during WW2! YB-29-BW (41-36393) nicknamed "Hobo Queen" was flown to several British airfields in early 1944 as part of a deception campaign to make Germany believe the bomber would be deployed against them.

Always good finding ourselves back in the 95th Bomb Group magazine. Thanks Robin! https://www.facebook.com/Angelsonourwi...
29/08/2026

Always good finding ourselves back in the 95th Bomb Group magazine. Thanks Robin!
https://www.facebook.com/Angelsonourwings

The amazing nose art, patches on our A2 jackets was done by our good friend Simon Williams. Simon is known for his excellent painting work. Every nose art can be reflected back to a WWII Airman history of the 95th Bomb Group. Some original jackets are to be seen in the 95th Bomb Group museum. A must go if you have never been there.

The scene of the photos was taken during our 'Friendly Invasion' visit at Thorpe Abbotts, 100th Bomb Group, on a hot sunny day.

The 95th and the 100th BG, our Air Base Homes when we are in the UK 😉🫡
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556298487488

Have a good weekend friends and followers 🙏👋

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Airfield
Ridgewell
167

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