RAF Molesworth and the 303rd Bombardment Group

Arrival at RAF Molesworth

On February 3rd, 1942, the 303rd Bombardment Group, equipped with B-17s, activated at Pendleton Field, Oregon. After completing training in Idaho, New Mexico and Texas, the 303rd Bombardment Group left for Great Britain, arriving at RAF Molesworth on September 12th, 1942.

The first B-17s to arrive at Molesworth on October 21st, 1942, were from the 359th Squadron: Yehudi, Lady Fairweather, Green Hornet, Knockout Dropper, 8 Ball and Idaho Potato Peeler.

There were thirty-five B-17s originally assigned to the 303rd, with many more to follow. The 303rd Bombardment Group later became known as the "Hell's Angels" after one of its most famous B-17's. The aircraft which gave the 303rd its nickname was the birst B-17 in the 8th Air Force, whose crew completed 25 combat missions. Not one of its crew members was wounded in action, although the aircraft was riddled with shrapnel and bullet holes. Reportedly, the name was given by the crew after the pilots remark during an early flight, that "this was the closest to the Angels that Hell will ever get."

Hell's Angels completed forty missions before it aborted due to a minor technical difficulty. After its forty-eight mission it returned to the United States with its crew to participate in a publicity tour of war factories and became famous all over the world.

Another famous B-17 from the 303rd Bombardment Group was "Knockout Dropper," who became the first bomber in 8th Air Force to complete 50 and 75 sorties. "Knockout Dropper" then returned to the United States to promote the sale of War Bonds.

Famous people

RAF Molesworth and the 303rd Bombardment Group had a couple of famous people assigned to it. Captain Clark Gable flew five missions with the group before returning to the United States to promote the sale of War Bonds.

Additionally, Captain Werner Goering, American-born nephew of Hermann Goering, flew B-17s from the base.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Two of the "Hell's Angels" received the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism.

The first was awarded posthumously to First Lieutenant Jack Mathis, bombardier of the B-17 "Duchess." Although horribly wounded by German fighter fire and flak during an March 18th, 1943 mission, Lt Mathis remained at his bomb site and ensured an accurate bomb drop before collapsing.

Five days before Christmas 1943, Technical Sergeant Forrest I. Volser demonstrated his bravery in the skies over the shipyards of Bremen, Germany aboard the B-17 "Jersey Bounce, Jr." When his aircraft, heavily damaged by anti-aircraft fire and German fighter strafing, went down in the English Channel, TSgt Vosler, though badly wounded, kept an unconscious fellow crew member afloat until they were rescued.

For more information about these two brave men please see the 303rd Bombardment Group, Hell's Angels site

Time to leave

The 303rd Bomb Group conducted its final raid from RAF Molesworth on April 25th 1945, when her bombers attacked an aircraft factory in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Hell's Angels carried out 364 bombing missions against targets in Europe, with 10.721 combat sorties, dropping 23,246 tons of bombs. Both figures were greater than any other Group in the 8th Air Force. Losses included 817 men killed in action, 754 taken prisoner and 185 B-17s destroyed.

In early June, Hell's Angels departed RAF Molesworth for Casablanca to perform transport duty in Operation Green, which moved 40,000 troops back to the States each month. Between May and June the entire 8th Air Force deployed and was later deactivated. On July 23rd 1945 the 303rd was deactivated in Casablanca.

Tragedy at the Church

The graves of the four airmen, with the old spire behind them (beside the tree)

RAF Molesworth was re-manned by the British Government on July 1st 1945 and assigned to the FAF's Number 12 Group, Fighter Command. On July 16th 1945 the 441st and 442nd Squadrons of the Canadian Forces arrived with their Mustang F3 fighters and support aircraft. After their brief stay at RAF Molesworth, the Canadians disbanded on August 10th, but not before losing the crew of a Hampden who now rest in Old Weston churchyard.

There has been a mystery as to why these brave young men were buried here. Through extensive research, and comments from visitors to this site we may have at last an explanation.

Rest in peace....