17. The Americans maintained more than 200 airbases in Great Britain
By 1944, the USAAF had about 500,000 men stationed in Great Britain, operating out of over 200 bases. Nearly all were located near small villages in rural areas. The average base housed about 2,500 men and women, flying and maintaining the aircraft and operating support equipment. The ground echelon, which included ordnance handlers, mechanics, clerks, medical personnel, and other logistics specialists outnumbered the men who flew the airplanes into combat, especially at the fighter bases. There were analysts in London and other cities who worked side-by-side with RAF personnel, planning missions and studying the results.
Recreation included facilities on the bases and in the local village. Americans were welcomed at local pubs and often in the homes and churches of the British. Both enlisted and officer’s clubs functioned on the bases and passes to London or other larger British cities were awarded to the men by base commanders. Although aircrews rotated home after completing their tour, based on the number of missions flown, ground echelon personnel remained in theater, some for the duration of the war. When the Americans returned to the United States after the war nearly 50,000 war brides went with them.
