Black and white aerial photograph showing a military aircraft flying over a large area of farmland with fields and trees. The aircraft appears to be a bomber or reconnaissance plane from mid-20th century.

Polebrook Airfield is a site rooted within human influence. Since its conversion from pure arable land in late 1940 - early 1941 by the RAF and subsequently developed by the USAAF in 1943; it has been a landscape of concrete and conflict. One of numerous similar sites in the area but made famous by the presence of Clark Gable shooting a recruitment video during the war. It has been generally regarded as a successful example of an American airbase supporting the Allies. The majority of buildings and structures were demolished for hardcore in the late 1960s, the only items left standing are the bunkers (Stanton shelters) and other steel reinforced buildings (considered too much effort to salvage).

There is a lot of research and data regarding the Airfield’s history – a good source without delving too deep can be found here: Trail 19 – Northamptonshire (American Ghosts Part II) | Aviation Trails (wordpress.com)

There is a rather grainy but very evocative film showing much of Polebrook Airfield during the war here: RAF Polebrook (AAF-110) - 351st Bomb Group - YouTube

 

The film Combat America shot with Clark Gable while he was stationed at Polebrook: Combat America - YouTube

 

Historic England’s listing of Ashton Wold: ASHTON WOLD, Ashton - 1001715 | Historic England

An old brick building in a wooded area with graffiti on the wall and surrounded by overgrown grass and trees.
Military personnel, including a Clark Gable on a vehicle operating a camera, are gathered around a vintage aircraft on an airfield during wartime.
A detailed map of Polebrook, Northamptonshire, England, showing the layout of the airfield, buildings, bases, and other military facilities during World War II, with markings for different squadrons and important sites.
Stanton shelter type bunker with arched structure leading to a door at the end, illuminated by light from outside.
A vintage black-and-white photograph of a military aircraft with a star insignia on the fuselage, in mid-flight, approaching a runway or landing area.
Black and white aerial photograph of an airfield with numerous parked airplanes, hangars, and surrounding fields and roads, dated December 10, 1946.