Nuthampstead Airfield Museum

Nuthampstead was commissioned by the USAAF in 1942, to the standard bomber field specification, with a completion date of 1st April 1943. The airfield itself was built on Scales Park, which was land owned by Baron Dimsdale, with the majority of the camp situated to the west, in and around Nuthampstead village.  Local people remember the Americans felling the forest using chains drawn between 2 bulldozers, and the ground being 'levelled overnight'.

Construction was undertaken by the 814th and 830th US Engineer (Aviation) Battalions, with the 1st Battalion of the 346th Engineer Regiment assisting in the final stages.  The base was handed over, whilst still under construction, to the USAAF in August 1942. Official dedication ceremonies were held on 17th June 1943, when the base was formally named Station 131.  It was estimated at the time, that approximately 3,000,000 square feet of concrete was used to construct the 6,107 feet main runway, two 4,200 feet runways, plus 54,000 feet of taxiing space.
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 Although built to host Bomb Groups, the first inhabitants were members of the 55th Fighter Group, who arrived on 16th September 1943. The 55th were equipped with the P-38 Lightning fighter and have the distinction of being the first USAAF aircraft over Berlin on 3rd March 1944. Shortly after midnight on 19th February 1944, Station 131 was attacked by bombers of the Luftwaffe.  The air base was a target of opportunity. One 250 kg. bomb, (550 pounds), exploded on a corner of the field, leaving a large crater.  Several small incendiary bombs were dropped too, all without casualties or damage.