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Metfield aerodrome (USAAF Station 366) was built to the standard Class-A bomber design, with three intersecting runways, 50 dispersal points and two T-2 type hangars, intended for the use of the United States Air Forces as a heavy bomber field. Additional buildings housed about 2900 personnel. Metfield aerodrome was one of the most isolated aerodromes of the Eighth Air Force in Suffolk.

Completed in August 1943, it was used as a base for the USAAF with the arrival of the 353rd Fighter Group. Flying P-47 Thunderbolts, they began combat operations on 9th August but due to a rearrangement of P-47 bases the 353rd moved out in April 1944. Its place was taken by the B-24 Liberators of the 491st Bomb Group (H) from June 1944 until August 1944, when a massive explosion occurred on the airfield, resulting in the relocation of the 491st to North Pickenham airfield. On 15 July 1944, a bomb exploded in the bomb dump, setting off the entire munitions storage area which contained 1200 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs, killing five men and severely damaging a number of B-24 fighter aircraft. Experts however believe the figure quoted to be unlikely, as an aerial photograph of the airfield (dated 18 January 1947) shows the crater rim covering one end bay outwards whereas the remaining three bays are shown as being intact. Presumably the contents of one bay, in combination with the contents of a truck being unloaded, detonated. Each bay would have contained between 50 to 75 tons but this could of course have been exceeded.

After the move to North Pickenham a small number of B-24s were retained at Metfield and put under the command of the European Division of Air Transport (USSTAF) to be used by the 1409th Army Air Force Base Unit, a classified unit engaged in clandestine operations to Sweden. For detailed information about these operations involving the Metfield aerodrome go to: Link

In May 1945 the aerodrome was closed and turned over to the RAF, and subsequently abandoned, ie sold off and returned to agriculture. Some sheds and brick buildings remain, as well as one bay of most runways. The memorial > Link at the southern edge of the airfield was put up by the current owner.

More information about Metfield airfield can be found here:
Link

See also: Link