On the right-hand side next to the memorial cross.

A vertical-oriented, rectangular, stainless steel plaque set in dark-painted wooden frames.

 The plaque commemorates and lists the names of twenty-one 406^th Fighter Group airmen who died while stationed at RAF Ashford from April to July 1944. 

On 5 April the airmen of the 406th Fighter Group arrived, having crossed the Atlantic by troopship. The group arrived from Congaree Army Airfield South Carolina. Operational fighter squadrons and fuselage codes were:

• 512th Fighter Squadron (L3) (yellow)
• 513th Fighter Squadron (4P) (red)
• 514th Fighter Squadron (O7) (blue)

The 406th Fighter Group was part of the 303d Fighter Wing, XIX Tactical Air Command.

The 406th Fighter Group conducted its first operation on 9 May and was chiefly involved in fighter-bomber work. On 18 when the 513th started to use ALG A-13 at Tour-en-Bessin. The last remnants of the 406th departed RAF Ashford on 31 July.

Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, en.wikipedia.org

Source of Images: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register

RAF ASHFORD

Chilmington (Advanced Landing Ground 417)

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August to October 1943

414th & 430th Squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Forces served in P51 Mustangs

Three Flying Officers from 414th Squadron were lost

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April to July 1944

512, 513, & 514 Squadrons of the 406^th Fighter Group United States Army Air Force

Were stationed at RAF Ashford

Nearly 80 P47 Thunderbolt fighter/bombers flew thousands of sorties over Europe

In preparation for and supporting troop advances following the D-DAY landings on June 6^th

During their short time flying missions from RAF Ashford 21 Americans lost their lives

512th  SQUADRON

513th SQUADRON

514th SQUADRON

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616th Squadron RAF – 1944

Crashed in a Meteor Mk1 whilst attempting an emergency landing

The first active service RAF jet fatality

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They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going of the sun and in the morning

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM