U.S. Bases in Lancashire, UK During WWII

Several RAF stations in Lancashire hosted U.S. Army Air Forces units during WWII:

• RAF Burtonwood (Warrington) – Largest U.S. air base in UK; 8th Air Force depot; 50,000+ personnel; "Gateway to Europe" for aircraft modification/repair.
• RAF Charnock Richard (Chorley) – 384th Bombardment Group (B-17s); ~2,000 airmen.
• RAF Kirkham (Preston) – 9th Air Force; transport/training; ~3,000 personnel.
• RAF Lostock Hall (Preston) – 44th Bombardment Group (B-24s); ~2,500 airmen.
• RAF Warton (Lytham St Annes) – 390th Bombardment Group (B-17s); ~2,000 airmen; later BAC/BAE test site.

These bases supported strategic bombing, troop transport, and aircraft logistics for the European Theater. Most closed post-war; Burtonwood remained a U.S. depot until 1993.